Supposedly the Tom Petty Band playing surf music for their own pleasure, the Blue Stingrays keep their identities secret and have never played a show. This record, perhaps their only release (though the CD claims they put out three other, impossible-to-find records in the ?60s, which is probably as true as their claim of inventing surf music), is a pleasant, mellow stroll through Polynesia and beyond. Whoever these guys are, they can definitely play their instruments and they show off their attractive vintage guitars and amplifiers in a couple of photos on the CD. There are several great songs here including their gorgeous, surfy take on the Goldfinger theme. But the second side is pretty slow and the band never lives up to the Surf-n-Burn title, preferring atmospheric music over Dick Dale-style surf rock. Still, the first five or so songs on this record are heavenly. ~ Adam Bregman, All Music Guide
George McFetridge (Artwork), George McFetridge (Layout Design), Doug Sax (Mastering), Gavin Lurssen (Mastering), Blue Stingrays (Producer), Blue Stingrays (Main Performer), Danny Hole (Photography), Jimmy Hole (Photography), Leroy Grannis (Photography)
Surf-N-Burn was a 1997 surf-rockalbum by The Blue Stingrays. Its tracks express a variety of moods, from the secret agent intrigue of "Russian Roulette" and "Goldfinger" (a cover of the theme from the James Bondfilm of the same name), to the soft surfing themes "Surfer's Life" and "Green Sea", to the beach-shack rave-ups (complete with audience noise) "Monsoon" and "Super Hero", all in the styles of the early surf-rockers.
This disc's liner notes tell a fictitious story of origins of The Blue Stingrays—claiming they formed in 1959 and were among both the earliest and most influential surf-rockers; who, after tiring of the exploitation of surf culture, moved to a small South Pacific island. Completing the retro feel, this album was also released as an LP (by Epitone/Epitaph).
A blueguitar pick stamped with the Stingrays' logo was included with the CD.
