by David Greening

If ever a band had a more fitting name, they'd still be hard pressed to beat out The Growlers. Hailing from Costa Mesa, this group of misfits plays some seriously dark, back-woods, surf rock. Their debut album Are You In Or Out? on local indie label Everloving is a cavalcade of jangly guitar twang, haunting, ghostly vocals, shuffling beats, and reverb that goes on for days.

Here is a record that is all party music. Seriously, put this on and the cool girls will get up and dance. Try it. This is music to shake your tailfeather to literally as these guys can rollick, shuffle and creep. Opener "Something Someone, Jr." struts in with a scuffle topped by woeful vocals before erupting into a string bending rock-a-billy break down. "Swallowed Whole" spaces out with stratospheric guitar licks bashing against wall of sound production. "Wet Dreams" conjures devils into your bed using cinematic tremolo guitar and understated harmonies that float just under the surface. Other standout tracks include "Red Tide," "Barnacle Beat," and "Old 8 Legs."