Surf Instro Review: Laika & The Cosmonauts-Laika Sex Machine…taped before a LIVE! Audience (1997,1998)

Laika Sex Machine? I don't know what that's all about, but this group from Finland remains one of the best surf-intro groups actively recording music today. After several years of releasing standout studio recordings, the group offers their faithful following a live recording that showcases a taste of their entire catalog.

Laika Sex Machine…taped before a LIVE! Audience (1997, 1998) is twenty-six tracks of traditional surf and third-wave instrumental diamonds. This CD is a relentless attack upon your eardrums. It's a rockin' good time. I loved every minute of it. 

This band has a good handle on presenting its music brand. With elements of both new and old blending into its sound, you get the best of both worlds—and then some. 

“Then some” is the undefined live element. Those who make the magic happen can understand the spontaneity of a live performance. As mortal listeners, we get all the pleasures from the results of that mystical knowledge that only the gifted musician has. In my opinion, all music possesses a spiritual quality. Surf-instro is fun, energetic, and picturesque. Even though it's lighthearted, it remains the thinking man's music.

The sound and production are brilliant, and Laika and The Cosmonauts' performances are fantastic. It is the quintessential live surf-instro recording. Go ahead and be a sex machine—get this CD.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

April 27, 2001 

Tracks:

01. The Hypno-Wheel    

02. Disconnected     

03. Syncophant    

04. Tantrum    

05. Floating   

06. Turquoise   

07. Boris The Conductor   

08. Look! No Head!

09. Experiment In Terror  

10. The Avengers   

11. Circumstantial Evidence   

12. Hi & Lo   

13. Cafe Equator   

14. Land's End   

15. Psyko   

16. Mission Impossible

17. Get Carter  

18. Global Village   

19. Enchanted Rock   

20. C'mon Do The Laika!   

21. Fugitive   

22. Ba-Ha-Re-Bah!   

23. Fadeaway    2

4. Sauna-Soul

25. Telstar  

26. Vendetta