WK4 - Surfer Blood - Astro Coast (9)

Released - 1/19/09

Label - Kanine Records

BLURB - Surfer Blood burst on to the scene in 2009, touring heavily and turning heads in the process. Hailed as one of the most anticipated albums of the year, 'Astro Coast' is finally here, and it's loud. Despite being drowned in fuzzy reverb and power chords, melodies and hooks are plentiful, swerving their way in and out of the background. The band itself is full of personality, life and energy. See for yourself. With a sound that draws influences from early Weezer and The Shins, Surfer Blood looks to be reinventing the indie-rock wheel for 2010.

Rating - 9 out of 10

FULL STORY - Much of Surfer Blood's buzz was generated with their breakout single 'Swim (To Reach the End).' Pitchfork went so far as to label the track as the 37th best song of 2009. 'Swim' comes out of the gates swinging, fully trying to burst your ear drums. And don't be fooled...they succeed. But it's not all yelling and amplification - underneath the layers of distortion are simplistic chord progressions and a chorus that is impossible to get out of your head. Halfway through, the heaviness of the power chords is balanced by a bridge of slower, danceable guitar riffs set to some Vampire Weekend-esque percussion. It's back to business after this, as the distortion resurfaces and the resulting chorus hits you like a ton of bricks.

Another sure fire hit is 'Twin Peaks,' filled with varied riffs and progressions. The introduction and verse has an indefinably 'big' quality to it. By this I mean, it just feels like one of those songs that's meant to be played in an arena. It's bright, it's catchy and it's heavy - it really reminds me of a younger, more rock-influenced version of The Shins. The song boasts three clear lines of demarcation. First there is this arena-style, huge pop chord progression, which is immediately followed by an uptempo riff that breaks out into an impromptu dance-off. Then...immediately following that, is a chaotic bridge of screaming and chromatic changes between the chords which just shouts 1980's punk. Essentially on 'Twin Peaks,' Surfer Blood somehow finds a way to fuse arena rock with afro-pop and punk.

The funkiest song on the album is without a doubt, 'Take It Easy.' This is Vampire Weekend if they were a garage band. Catchy riffs, creative percussion variations and even some string sections propel this song in one direction...forward. This is one of a few songs on 'Astro Coast' that has that 'laid-back-grungey-surfer-vibe' going on. Another song that falls into this sub-genre is 'Neighbour Riffs.' It's an instrumental that really reminds me of a modern day 'Wipeout.' Bright guitar hooks, waves of ambient noise and a solid bass line provide the soundtrack that is needed for a day of surfing in So Cal.

With all of these great songs on the record it's fairly easy to gaze past the album's opener 'Floating Vibes.' Likely the most Weezerish track on the album, 'Floating Vibes' is filled with understated melodies and dizzying reverb. Amidst it's grunginess, is a pop/rock diamond that shines with hit potential. The lyrics are congruent with the youngsters that they are, focusing in on relationships, confusion and apathy:

"Forget the second coming, I need you in the here and now. Instead of dreaming up a way to spread your name across the world somehow. When you told me you were leaving I wasn't thirsty for revenge. No, I wasn't disappointed much at all because you'll be back again."

What is lacking on this record is the maturity to develop segways and transitions within their songs. It seems Surfer Blood invariably approaches every song on the record with the same mentality. First we're going to play this riff, then we're going to play that riff, then we're going to play a different riff, then we're going to go back to that first riff. And while it's fun, and energetic and loud - it begs the question...is that all they have?

That being said, somehow Surfer Blood manages to disguise their weaknesses through their energy and youthfulness. That statement in itself is fairly incredible. This band has so much enthusiasm and excitement in their music that they ultimately mask what little weaknesses they do have. This kind of raw energy is not common...but then again neither is Surfer Blood.

Tracks

1.) Floating Vibes

2.) Swim

3.) Take It Easy

4.) Harmonix

5.) Neighbour Riffs

6.) Twin Peaks

7.) Fast Jabroni

8.) Slow Jabroni

9.) Anchorage

10.) Catholic Pagans

WK37 - Real Estate - Real Estate (7.5)

Released - Woodsist

Label - 11/17/09

BLURB - I bought this thinking Real Estate could possibly be the next Thrills. Short story - I'm a huge fan of The Thrills and met the singer in a shitty diner in Philadelphia prior to a show they had, opening for Adam Green. It goes down as one of my favorite nights of my life because I was there with one of my best friends, his mom and his sister. Anyway, here we have yet another Beach Boys influenced act trying to reincarnate the genius of Brian Wilson. I was kind of hoping for a bit of a more polished, pop act (again, like The Thrills) but what I got was yet another lo-fi recording. It seems that this fad (while I do enjoy it to some extent) is really plunging into the depths of all musical genres. This album reminds me of this years Papercuts release, but with more melodies. I can't say that I'm jumping for joy over Real Estate's self titled release, but despite my lofty and differing expectations...it's still a decent listen.

Rating - 7.5 Out of 10

FULL STORY - If I've read my magazines and blogs correctly, the single...and the song I should like the most is 'Beach Comber.' So for arguments sake, let's start here. Muddled in an ambient yet melodic feel, this track is actually halfway decent. While the pace is a bit slow for my taste, the friendly guitar riffs and nondescript lyrics offer up some solace.

"What you want is just outside your reach. You keep on searching. You're walking down that Pensacola Beach, you keep repeating."

The song itself is filled with metaphors, despite it's unassuming vibe. The entire track revolves around a metal detector wielding man searching for that lost Rolex in the sand...more plainly - all of our searches for happiness. Although blatant, the song somehow restrains the general theme in a very vague fashion through it's own patience.

"Pool Swimmers" is the second track on the album and if I was forced to describe it - it would be 'far out.' If I was stoned out of my mind and drinking a beer poolside in Malibu and there was no music at all...this would be playing in my mind. There is a very slow pace, which is matched against a very trebly (sp?) guitar riff and some decent background vocals. It's nice, but it has this slow almost psychedelic vibe to it that kind of throws me for a loop. Do I drop acid or take a hit? I need the delineation.

The highlight of the album, for me, is the combination of 'Atlantic City' and 'Fake Blues.' With 'Atlantic City' you get this fairly upbeat instrumental medley that takes you to San Diego circa 1972. You really feel you're there. Simultaneously the song evokes excitement and relaxation...I don't really know how, but it's pretty sweet. Shortly thereafter "Fake Blues" picks up with a slow building cavalcade of cleanly amped guitars. After the buildup reaches it's pick, we're met with a kind of energy that I'd compare to...well...I guess....surfing. It's fast enough to tap your foot to, but more than anything it just feels that you're locked into some kind of groove. There is a very friendly and repetitive riff that goes around, assuring you that you're not alone.

However, after these few songs everything seems to blend together. Not just pace, but instrumentation and lyrics as well. It seems that the majority of the songs on the record could be substituted for any other song on the record, without any major gripes being had. Everything seems just a tad bit slow, and just a tad bit contrived. I don't want to say it...but I think Real Estate is trying too hard. It's a good record and definitely has some definite peaks, but it just feels a bit forced to me. Sorry.

Tracks

1.) Beach Comber

2.) Pool Swimmers

3.) Suburban Dogs

4.) Black Lake

5.) Atlantic City

6.) Fake Blues

7.) Green River

8.) Suburban Beverage

9.) Let's Rock the Beach

10.) Snow Days