Guitar Player Magazine - Darrin Fox
From the proto-punk stylings of Dick Dale, to the majestic soundscapes of the Mermen, it's obvious that surf music can take on many different forms. Northern California quartet Pollo Del Mar, and its guitarists Ferenc Dobronyi and Jono Jones, contribute to the genre's oeuvre by crafting lilting, cinematic vistas, without ever losing sight of surf's classic melodic sensibilities. Harnessing copious amounts of echo, reverb, and (gasp) distortion, Dobronyi and Jones weave around each other beautifully, whether they're going full-on trippy ("As Above, So Below") or playing it straight (the Clash's "Charlie Don't Surf). Very well done.

Discoveries - John Blair
A couple of the best surf instrumental releases of 2004 came late in the year, from two bands that are as different in style and sound as they are geographically: San Francisco's Pollo Del Mar and Finland's Charades.
The Golden State (MuSick 23) is PDM's third studio release and certainly their best. Appropriately described as being a "progressive psychedelic instrumental" band, their latest CD moves a bit away from the beach sonically, though not in spirit. There's still plenty of drippy reverb here and much creativity at play, from the opening track's use of guitar feedback to create the impression of talking whales, to the closing number, an instrumental version of The Clash's "Charlie Don't Surf." The record also includes a video of the band performing one of the CD's tracks, "UBIK." While not traditional surf, The Golden State was still one of the best releases of 2004 in the genre.

Vintage Guitar - John Heidt
More Pollo Del Mar serving up music that pushes the "surf" envelope while mixing in liberal doses of psychedelic noise. Ferenc Dobronyi and Jono Jones mix guitar sounds with reckless abandon. Let's just say that things never get boring. Add great liner notes and a cool video, and you've got another winner from the boys from the Bay Area.

20th Century Guitar - Reviewed by Robert Silverstein
One of the hottest instrumental rock bands on the scene today, Pollo Del Mar released their 2004 album, The Golden State on MuSick and it’s a good one. Sounding like Neil Young fronting The Ventures, The Golden State rocks with a vengeance and also skirts the borders of symphonic surf music. Featuring the ultra hot guitar interplay of Ferenc Dobronyl and Jono Jones, The Golden State may be a bit too heavy to be considered traditional surf, yet there’s enough fury in the waves of sound to make it of interest to long time surf-rockers and progressive guitar instrumental fans. In addition to the group’s spellbinding originals, The Golden State offers a rockin’ instro of “Hall Of The Mountain King” written by legendary 19th Century classical champion Edvard Grieg.


Cozmik Debris - DJ Johnson
Rarely has an album cover so perfectly captured the feeling of the music within. Pollo Del Mar have always been associated with the instrumental surf scene, and it's true that some of their music is exactly that, but a more accurate description of their overall sound would be to say they play "ocean music." Their sound is deep and vast, with an element of mystery compelling to anyone who has ever found themselves staring out to sea and sensing its power. Turn the volume up and the lights off and Pollo Del Mar will provide plenty of ocean to float away in. Pollo's been together nearly a dozen years, and they sound like it. They've always been a cut above the throng when it came to technical skill, but at this point they're among the elite. Guitarists Ferenc Dobronyi and Jono Jones' styles blend beautifully, bringing powerful songs like "UBIK," and "A Flash of Green" to explosive conclusions, and creating breathtakingly beautiful sounds on "Mare Amniotica." Songs without lyrics don't often have such a cohesive concept as "Mare Amniotica," a gentle, dream-like, wordless lullaby for a child in the womb. Not the departure it may seem, when you think about it, since the baby floats peacefully in a sea (mare) of its own. Two cover tunes fill out the album, one a frenetic prog reading of "Hall of the Mountain King," the other an uptempo version of The Clash's "Charlie Don't Surf," and while both are nice, it's the original material you'll probably find yourself drawn back to again and again. If you're new to Pollo Del Mar and you pick this up and enjoy it, take my advice and go after their back catalog. This is their best, but it's not much of a drop off to the others.
From the January 2005 Issue, DJ Johnson picks his Top 5 discs for 2004:
The blowaway of the year, which just missed my top five, was Pollo Del Mar's The Golden State. Powerful, beautiful and different from the pack because they're influenced almost as much by Zappa as they are by Dick Dale or The Atlantics.


Garage and Beat - Edwin Lechter
I know they are from California, but I can't help thinking the title of this latest disc refers to tanning one's bod until the desired shade is acquired. I protect my ghostly pallor at all costs, but that's just me. Pollo Del Mar has always had a knack for creating atmospheric surf instrumentals and this release is further proof of their slick sonic prowess. There are two covers, a sparse, reverb rich version of Edvard Grieg's "Hall of the Mountain King" and a straight ahead surf version of the Clash's "Charlie Don't Surf." The other nine tracks are band originals. Some of the titles are taken from literature. If John D. McDonald, represented by the song, "A Flash of Green" and Philip K. Dick, given an homage by "Ubik" are examples of the band members' favorite authors, we have more in common than just a love of twangy guitars, smooth melodies and crisp rhythm. The band has chosen to concentrate on their chosen genre rather than chase after the latest trends. If shooting the curl is part of your vocabulary, Pollo Del Mar should be part of your life's soundtrack.


Rock N Roll Purgatory
This is a surf album with a new-age feel, having almost a spiritual quality, like a transcendent exploration of the abyss. Beautifully captured fluidity, a swirling serenity, it’s like floating in a smooth vortex of ultra-clear tones and bubbling waters. "Mare Amniotica" explores the seascape of the womb, then a version of "Hall of the Mountain King" seems to slowly rise from the depths and build towards its proper elevation. “Magyara” is their take on gypsy music played in the Hungarian minor scale, and it ends with reverby memorial to Joe Strummer on "Charlie Don’t Surf." This is one to put on, kick back, and relax in tranquility. - BL


All Music Guide
Review by Richie Unterberger
Pollo Del Mar may offer a familiar bag of instrumental surf music tricks on The Golden State, but it's a well-executed and versatile one. Wavering bent notes, quasi-Latin minor-key melodies, a mauling of a standard ("Hall of the Mountain King"), a touch of Davie Allan menace, gentler stuff with a tone that's both searing and serene ("As Above, So Below"), basic good-time chug, even hints of reggae and polka rhythms -- all this and more are here. The guitars conjure an admirable arsenal of tones and textures, from sirens and lonely pinging riffs to earthquake-rumbling bass. There's not much else to say about what they do, but what they do they do with efficiency, varying the mood more than many another retro-surf combo. Other than "Hall of the Mountain King," everything's original save for one other rather off-the-wall cover choice, the Clash's "Charlie Don't Surf."

The Continental
While I have always dug traditional, early '60's style surf more than modern prog surf, the new Pollo del Mar disc may make me give some modern recordings a closer listen. This is without a doubt the best Pollo Del Mar release to date, showing off their impeccable playing, songwriting and recording skills. You can tell right off the bat that these guys have bben at it for a while - the sounds and textures these guys use are amazing. With such a range of sounds and moods, this is undoubtably a release that has great "crossover potential." In other words, it's got what it takes to appeal to appeal to just about anyone. Also, it's been such a long time since I have seen such erotic cover art - reminds me of what you might have found on some low-budget, Living Strings release of the mid-70's with lots of groaning and moaning throughout the songs. ****1/2

Louisville Music News
By David Lilly
Space...Inner & Outer
Some say the final frontier isn't space, it's the oceans on this planet. Pollo Del Mar's music goes either way, depending on how you interpret it. A splendid and exciting experience it is when progressive rock merges with surf rock. Despite the lack of either genre on mainstream radio or music charts, both maintain huge and loyal followings worldwide. PDM is one of the bands most successful at playing that blend and The Golden State is their latest work. It's also their home state's moniker and a state of both mind and physical being depicted by Monica, the Tiki Goddess, in the cover art. That's worth the cost even without the music, so ... great package.
There's no testing the water in this environment. PDM plunges into the first number, "7 Sisters 7 Seas," with a splash of drums and cymbals that opens the gates for soaring and floating guitars. "Red Asphalt" is a rock 'n' roll showcase for the band's guitarists, who complement one another gracefully throughout the song. It boils but does not overcook, as one guitarist takes the lead while the other supports with solid, playful backup; the backup never overshadows the lead.
"Mare Amniotica" takes the album to a mellow and psychedelic place. For my ears, this is as close as any (other) band has come to Mermen territory, which is quite impressive. The inclusion of "Hall of the Mountain King" is an interesting story, especially since PDM has played it live for years. A 19th century composition by Edvard Grieg, it is one of those catchy melodies you're sure you've heard before but can't place. PDM guitarist Jono Jones is a fan of space-rock pioneers Hawkwind, who did "Hall of the Mountain Grill." Jones brought the song to the band. Though "Grill" and "King" are different musically, Hawkwind & Grieg have met here.
You're probably sick of hearing songs on radio that blend surf, reggae and polka, but take a deep breath and open your mind for "Magyara." No harm in trying and you might be glad you did. Calling all Clash fans: Take note of the instro version of "Charlie Don't Surf," in memory of Joe Strummer, that ends the audio portion of the CD. Last, but not least, there's a video taste of PDM for those of us who can't get out west to see a gig.
To hear for yourself and keep up with Pollo Del Mar (by the way, that translates to "Chicken of the Sea"), skip the surfing part and progress straight over to www.pollodelmar.com, the band's dolphin-safe website. It's an in-house setup too, courtesy of guitarist Ferenc Dobronyi and fretless bassist/low-end rocket launch pad artist, Jeff Turner.

New Gandy Dancer
Reviewed by Dave Peckett
Lovely atmospheric start with Seven Sisters, just bursting with creativity from PDM - quiet to begin with before a great build-up. It's uptempo twin guitars for Flash of Green, anoither exciting original, amazingly sounding like Paul Keyes Surf Trek in sections. Red Asphalt is a rocking, twanging exercise with special effects to entice. Great rhythm guitar behind a Satriani-esque Dripping Springs, another good cut. Among the usual bunch of classy originals, there's one of the very best arrangements of Hall of the Mountain King we've ever heard. Lovely, twanging , but respectful too, with excellent drumming in support. I think Pollo Del Mar are now miles away from your average surf band, and justifyably so, they play some delightful, progressive lilting guitar pieces and this is a grand album. ****