Various Artists

The latest release from Nocturnal Dirt Surfers Alliance is a compilation of live recordings conducted at the Oriental Theater over the course of three days in late January 2010 minus an audience. With no overdubs offered, it may be a bit of a lo-fi effort, but some of these artists...

By Tom Murphy

June 24, 2010

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The latest release from Nocturnal Dirt Surfers Alliance is a compilation of live recordings conducted at the Oriental Theater over the course of three days in late January 2010 minus an audience. With no overdubs offered, it may be a bit of a lo-fi effort, but some of these artists are at their best outside of the studio setting, and these recordings are clear proof. While most of these bands are relatively unknown outside their circle of friends, as a document of a much-neglected segment of the underground rock scene in Denver, this is essential listening. Standout tracks include the sparkling garage-punk tracks from Bluebelle, the bluesy, Wipers-turned stoner-rock menace of Hexen's "Underfoot," and the haunting mayhem of Get Three Coffins Ready's "Graveyard Hand." To a track, the music is gritty and completely devoid of pretension.

Tom Murphy is a writer, visual artist and musician from Aurora, Colorado. He was a prolific music writer for Westword and a documenter of the Denver music scene.

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