Soundtrack : Present, The

Surf movies are often short on dialogue, devoting the bulk of their focus instead to the physical sport itself. This soundtrack is structured with that agenda in mind; its 12 songs feature the same breezy, summery ambience that surfing evokes, and its emphasis on instrumental numbers allows the images onscreen to do most of the talking. The Present concern itself with little more than setting a mood, and it mixes surf rock numbers with dashes of folk, world, and pop to tuneful effect. Several songs do feature lyrics, with Japanese Motors ' “Spendin' Days” standing out as one of the most memorable, but the Present 's best numbers are its wordless songs, from the lounge-influenced “Longing of the Leftist” to the eight-minute trance-rock of “A Contrivance.” ~ Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide