As a big fan of secular surf music, when I was a kid, I was thrilled to hear about Surfonic Water Revival. I was a real Beach Boy freak, but I decided as I was a Christian, I no longer wished to listen to secular stuff. However, I always yearned for a Christian Surf music album to be released. I was already a huge Lost Dogs, Daniel Amos, Swirling Eddies (all Terry Scott Taylor groups) fan when I went onto the Lost Dogs website. On the their web store was an album entitled Surfonic Water Revival. I couldn't believe my eyes! A Christian Surf album at last!

Most of these songs were written by Terry Scott Taylor. Terry writes in the liner notes that the album is a nod to the old 60's surfers such as Jan & Dean, Beach Boys, etc, and then added something like 'with a few surprises thrown in'. Not all the tracks are pure surf sounding, but these tracks just add to the feel of the album regardless. Artists on the record include Terry Scott Taylor, The Lost Dogs, Daniel Amos, Rebecca St James, Plumb, Chuck Girard, Phil Keaggy, Rich Young Ruler, Silage, Brother's Keeper, Randy Stonehill, All Star United, OC Supertones, Rick Altizer, Insyderz, Smalltown Poets, Paul Johnson, Plankeye, Havalina Rail Co, and Skillet. All the tracks have a Christian message. My favourite tracks on the album are: "Wave Perfect," "California Blue," "Endless Summer (# 2)," "The Sun comes out Again" - all of the 60's sounding 'surfer songs' on the album. However, all of the 17 tracks (that includes 2 instrumentals) are superb. "Sister Mariana Trench" by Silage stands out as it is superbly written (by Terry Scott Taylor) and Silage performs it wonderfully. The album was released by KMG Records in 1998.

If you don't mind the album not sticking strictly to the Beach Boys-esque sound, then you will love this album. It is a testament to the brilliance of Terry Scott Taylor, and to every artist that sings or plays on the album. Finally: 17 tracks on the album make it worth every penny! Buy it and see for yourself!

JFH Reader Review: written by Ian Rabjohns, 6/2/10, for Jesusfreakhideout.com