Written By Barry Moore
Score 4.5/10
I automatically am a bit disinclined to take the band Surfer Blood seriously solely from the name of their band. Before I even listen to them I’m automatically categorizing them into realm of Switchfoot. It’s not fair, but what is?
The band plays pedal pushing rock and roll, which is another mark against them in my book. The guitars drip with effect and the vocals are nearly drowning in the reverb. Everyone knows reverb isn’t horrible and nor are guitar effects, but I feel like the album barely keeps it’s head above water.
It’s too much noise and polyphony that there isn’t ever room to breath. (No, I’m not quitting anytime soon with the crappy metaphors, in case you were wondering) Although the album title is apt, with the album feeling like a cross between surf rock and all the space-like affects that are added via the guitars and vocals, it just gets too muddy.
There’s definite potential overall but, if anything, it just feels like some guys are focusing more on the cool affects they’re making rather than actually writing a song that doesn’t sound like a 80′s new wave punk rock throwback drenched in reverb. It’s like the Strokes and Vampire Weekend decided to have an untalented baby who thought pushing the envelope of modern rock and roll was adding more reverb.
It’s feels like a guitar-fronted band, but doesn’t necessarily present any particular interesting guitar melodies. Overall, it just falls short. And I’m sorry if they caught me on the worst day possible. But I don’t appreciate them making it even worse. I’m sorry guys but it’s just bad news for both of us.
Visit Surfer Blood
Buy Astro Coast
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