Get Wet, who are based in Colorado, are a surf-rock band built around the genius of guitarist Les Fradkin.  Fradkin is a guitarist of the first order, and it's our good fortune that he decided to direct his talent to melodic instrumental music instead of the six-string masturbation that is common to modern area axe shredders.  Make no mistake - Fradkin could show Joe Satriani or Eric Johnson a thing or two.  But instead of dazzling us with how many notes he can play per second, Fradkin layers his songs with melodies that will have you humming hours after the CD has been turned off.

The album sets a fast and furious tempo with the title track, "A Day At the Beach." Hyper percussion and layered guitars combine to create the audio equivalent of a caffeine-charged large espresso.  Pounding drums open "Kick Sand," but Fradkin smartly dials the volume back for the main melodic theme.  The tempo is slowed a bit in "Pintor," which showcases some very stylish spaghetti-western style picking.  "Key West Sunset" is a romantic sounding tune, perfect for an evening with a beautiful beach babe or dude.  Sharp melodies and haunting dynamics make "Nature Calls" one of the album's highlights.

You might wonder why Get Wet decided to cover the classic Beach Boys tune, "Good Vibrations," but after hearing this version, you'll never care for the original.  The Beach Boys were never a true surf band - they were more of a manufactured clean-cut version of the Beatles.  Fradkin takes this tune and completely transforms it into an instrumental masterpiece.

Get ready for some real fun - after "Good Vibrations" fades from the speakers, a collaboration between Get Wet and their friends The Dirt Surfers ("The Dirt Surfers Get Wet (Wet Mix)") blasts forth like a nuclear explosion.  If you can remain seated while listening to this tune, check your pulse.  Do not miss this song - the gorgeous middle part alone is worth the price of this CD.

Other standout tracks include a solid cover of "Beck's Bolero," and "Hurricane Warning," which could have easily been the theme song for any recent television police drama.  Just for fun, the album also includes a very memorable version of Bach's holiday classic, "Joy of Man's Desiring."

Instrumental rock doesn't get the attention it deserves these days.  The recording industry, which once made stars of bands like the Ventures and artists like Dick Dale, hasn't got a clue about how to market this invigorating music.  They don't understand that the melodies and driving rhythms may be enjoyed by anyone desiring high-energy rock and roll without angst-filled vocals and nasty lyrics.  Whether you're cleaning your house, gardening, or heading out to hit the big waves, "A Day At the Beach" will get you moving. You can forget that large espresso, because this album will reach out, slap you across the face, and shout, "Wake Up!" 

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