***1/2 The Fathoms

FATHOMLESS

(Atomic Beat/AVI)

The long-gone rockabilly past swings into sight when local archivists the Crank-tones do the bop, headed by Little Frankie (Frank Blandino). And when they add a sax and a rhythm guitar and call themselves the Fathoms, Frankie and Co. work up such a nice, intricate wall of twang that it's 1962 and you're perched in the curl of a wave, roaring toward dry land and deaf to crab-assed cynics bleating about any Pulp Fiction bandwagon. A good surf instrumental, like a beautiful paisley swatch of fabric, has a worth that doesn't waver, regardless of fashion trends or revivals. Besides, the Fathoms have a sound so spotless and true, it goes way beyond simple restoration; it's the real deal, whether it's sultry and suave ("Groovy Boots"), propulsive like the sea ("Rockabilly Surfer"), or shimmery like the backdrop to some spaghetti spy flick ("Getaway Car"). All the songs on Fathomless are Frankie originals. All are played with an ear to detail that leaves nothing to chance; not one sax blast or drum shuffle is misplaced. It all vibrates and echoes and just makes you want to get all sandy and wet and erase the past 30 years or so.

-- Amy Finch

(The Fathoms play at Ralph's in Worcester this Saturday, November 23. Call 508-753-9543.)