13 Evil Tales
While most revival groups get bogged down in retro posturing, the Martians' leader Evan Foster is too smart--and musical--for anything so limiting. The Boss Martians are one of the most entertaining new surf groups in their willingness to stray from pure surf, drawing on pop, exotica, lounge, and garage influences in a seamless way. 13 Evil Tales is their most fully-realized production to date as well. In addition to his other strengths, Foster is a fine guitarist, and this disc will find an eager home with any surf fan. Truly a standout record in an often-limited genre.--Skip Heller