While Astro Coast is being considered a 2010 release, Surfer Blood has been on many of our headphones since long before last week (see my previous post here), and while Astro Coast is nothing new to me I did find this little delightful surprise posted on the p4kast.
Surfer Blood’s single “Swim” was recently remixed by Allen Blickle of Baroness. I like remixes, but when a pop gem like “Swim” gets into the hands of a well know metal musician I have to hear it. Blickle gives this track the treatment it deserves, and even though I’m extremely familiar with ”Swim” it comes out sounding fresh full of static, and a crunchy glitchy texture. While this might not sound like a good thing believe me it is.
I’m finally hearing Surfer Blood now, and it’s about a month too late. I wish I had listened when PopJew was tweeting that everyone must go see them at a late night final New York City show at Bruar Falls…but I was lazy, and ended up staying home. This was only made worse seeing Bill’s post about the show a day or so later saying “It’s not very often you go into a show blind and leave wowed but that what my reaction to seeing West Palm Beach, Florida’s Surfer Blood last night at Bruar Falls.” I can’t speak for their live show, but I was able to track down several tracks off their cd-r, and have been totally digging on it.
The cd-r that Surfer Blood was selling at these shows is some version of Astro Coast (final or demos…not sure), their to be released full length. It was going to be released by Bakery Outlet Records (also from Florida), but the band got picked up Kanine Records (who has released things by Grizzly Bear and Chairlift). Surfer Blood will be playing the Kanine Records CMJ showcase (as well as many others shows during CMJ…see below), and I can only assume that Astro Coast will officially see the light of day with the Kanine logo on the back of it.
Like Bill mentioned in his post I was also surprised to hear a band that was more pop than fuzzy garage rock…and the fuzziness, while present, was just faint…if not just implied by the reverb and echo. Surfer Blood are drawing comparisons to Weezer, but on my first listen their track “Swim (to reach the end)” I didn’t get that at all. It almost has an arena rock or big 90’s alternative vibe, with the pop just being an undertone.
It actually took me many listens of this track (it was on a mix I made) before actually started seeking out more, but I’m really glad that I did. It is made clear that pop, and that little bit of scuzzy surfy beachiness that you would expect from their name, are at the center of their song writing accompanied perfectly with the slightly echoed vocals. This is displayed wonderfully on “Catholic Pagan.”
After hearing this track and “Harmonix” I’m really looking forward to getting a physical copy of this release, and seeing them live. Surfer Blood seem to have been on my headphones all week.
based in greenpoint, brooklyn. established in 2009. thoughts on music, pinball, beer, food, and happenings in and around new york city.
the white lodge
the white lodge is a photography collaboration between klk and myself. We specialize in analog photography using both 35mm and medium format film. Please check out our flickr.
i occasionally post mp3s and videos on this blog for the sole purpose of promoting artists that I believe deserve attention. all songs are for sampling purposes only, if you like it there will be a link to buy music from the artist (or tour dates...go see them!). if by chance I post an mp3 or video with audio that you own, and you would like me to take it down please let me know. you can reach me at:
(tom at gprecs.com)
in this instance i am very sorry.
fuck yeah! can't wait! RT: @BrouwerijLane: Just tapped: Cask of the new Pretty Things Fluffy White Rabbits. Hoppy Belgian tripel.about 1 hour agofrom Echofon
