Search - Malibooz :: Living Water: A Surfer S Mass

A DIZZYINGLY BEAUTIFUL AURAL PAINTING

DJ Johnson | FLORIDA, USA | 07/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"They've been around the surf music scene... forever! Or so it seems. Best known for Beach Boyish vocal harmonies, The Malibooz have turned in a surprisingly deep, haunting album of spiritual music. Don't run away. The music evokes the power and emotion of the sea, and that seems to be where John Zambetti and company have found God. The production is thick, a crime on most recordings, but in the context of Living Water it works with the music to create a dizzyingly beautiful aural painting that will take your breath away if you allow it to. It's difficult to describe music like this. Try to imagine Brian Wilson in the middle of a profound religious epiphany. The result is magical; enough reverb, crash and roar to turn on the surf crowd and enough ethereal beauty to please new age fans. It's likely none of that matters much to The Malibooz. This seems like an extremely heartfelt declaration of devotion to God and ocean, and we're just happy to listen in."

A real work of art, a labor of love.

Dave Bash | 07/17/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I usually don't review vocal material at all, because there's not much of the trad harmony genre that I like at all. The Malibooz are the exception, and with this most unusual album, it seems appropriate to let you know about this fine CD. This is the first surf concept album, a celebration of the the aqua basin, the fluid birth mother of life on earth. In some respects, this is like a mass, and in others it's like very high quality surf vocal pop, and in all respects it pays homage to the water. Almost religious in it's sound and feel, these tracks display a real sense of honest and humble awe towards the sea. You can feel the pure emotional worship in their voices and playing. It is a religious CD, but unlike many such releases, it does not put off the average Joe open to contemplating mysteries of life. The most deeply felt tracks are the ones about the sea itself, and how magical it is to interact with the waves. This is a real work of art, a labor of love. Beautiful harmonies, delicate balances between sounds and textures, and extremely clear recordings. This CD demands that you sit and listen in a quiet place, and reflect on the wonder of the sea."

This is some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard!

Dave Bash | 10/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This one caught me totally off guard! After just listening to Malibooz Rule! I popped in the CD expecting to hear Surf with all the typical reverb, twanging and teen beach stories. What I heard was surf music but the major difference being it was a series of beautiful, lush, melodious harmonies and soaring Beach Boy like vocals all taken from prayers. You heard me right, prayers. So right from the get go you have the feeling that this is going to be a unique and out of the ordinary experience, trust me it is. John Zambetti, one of the founding members of Malibooz was backing up his church choir on guitar and was inspired to conceptualize this whole project. This is some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard. Divinely inspired from the heavens this gorgeous group of songs will give you chills and fill your heart with the joy and inspiration of life itself. What an ingenious blend of surf, soft rock/pop and religious passages this is! The subtlety of the tide is accompanied by angelic voices and equally heavenly guitar breaks. If you are not one who attends church or is very religious it doesn't really matter, this is great music that can be appreciated by a wide range of discerning tastes. Listen closely and let the music speak to your heart. The love and respect for God and nature is conveyed through the music. A spiritual dance that's a slice of heaven awaits you. Extraordinary!"