Listen to the first ten seconds of Astro Coast and you’ll know where Surfer Blood come from, musically anyway. The Pixies influence is undeniable; Astro Coast steeps all ten tracks in the Pixie’s iconic mixture of surfer sound, dark tints, and indie credo. Surfer Blood are no imitators, however, as the occasionally insane and screechy vocals of Black Francis won’t be found herein, nor the hyper liveliness of the Pixie’s first few albums. Surfer Blood still carry beach sand in their music, sans the unbridled enthusiasm that often accompanies West Coast rock groups.
Astro Coast rides in on a wave of hype over the single “Swim.” Singer John Paul Pitts kicks it off with echoing vocals and distorted guitar before chanting the chorus: “Swim, to reach the end!” The staccato beat backing Pitts is surprisingly catchy and, above all, undeniably fun. A hint of Latino influence pops up in the guitar solo bridge. This isn’t the only time quirky flourishes appear in the album. “Fast Jabroni,” another high-energy song with a more melodic tune, has an ‘80s Cali vibe. Surfer Blood hand picks musical touches from decades past, like the twangy guitar and stomping beat opening of “Take it Easy,” seemingly lifted from a ‘60s Tijuana bar. The last track, “Catholic Pagans,” starts with a sleepy Dick Dale-like double guitar riff.
With all the attention on “Swim,” Astro Coast’s first track can go unnoticed, but shouldn’t be skipped. “Floating Vibes” showcases distorted strings, placid vocals, an ooh-ing chorus and a mad and plucky guitar solo. Personal props to the band for “Twin Peaks,” a number about watching the classic David Lynch television series. The middle of the album chills out considerably, and the songs tend to blend together from one to the next. “Harmonix” is unfortunately mediocre, but “Neighbor Riffs” prods the album along, and the weird kiddy jabbering beginning of “Twin Peaks,” will grab your attention if the instrumental “Neighbor Riffs” let you down. Lovers of this specific genre will forgive the occasional slip-ups of Surfer Blood. Others may want to focus on the strongest songs: Floating Vibes, Swim, Take it Easy, Twin Peaks, and Fast Jabroni.
With their songs about western migration (“Floating Vibes”), titles like “Anchorage,” and California influence, the group’s origin is surprising – the five-member band hails from West Palm Beach, Florida, a city more known for its infamous butterfly ballots and affluent elderly than an indie music scene. Like their stylistic predecessors, the Pixies, Surfer Blood are an east coast band whose heart and sound lay solely on the west coast. It’s a mystery how their notes traveled across a continent, but then again, these are talented guys. A nascent band – they only formed in the spring of 2009 – who in a matter of months produced a full-length work including what will probably become a runaway hit. Surfer Blood popped out of nowhere, so worries that they’re another indie flavor-of-the-month are legitimate. However, Surfer Blood manage to plumb the depths of various musical styles while retaining their identity — no easy task. They’ve molded a distinctive sound, and will surely use this formula of outside inspiration mixed with inner creativeness to construct more hits.
Track List:
1.Floating Vibes (4:00)
2.Swim (3:19)
3.Take it Easy (3:57)
4.Harmonix (4:46)
5.Neighbor Riffs (2:09)
6.Twin Peaks (3:38)
7.Fast Jabroni (3:04)
8.Slow Jabroni (6:06)
9.Anchorage (6:24)
10.Catholic Pagans (3:13)
