8. Surfer Blood: Astro Coast [Kanine]
Astro Coast is the debut album from West Palm Beach based quintet Surfer Blood. In keeping with the spirit of their Florida upbringing, Astro Coast is at it’s core surf-style rock. But to leave it at that would be an over-simplification. These songs are heavy and plodding mostly with catchy melodies. And just to round things out, there are also songs on here like “Take it Easy.” A catchy little romp with a poly-rhythmic beat that makes it sound like something that might fit better on a Vampire Weekend album. Lead singer John Paul Pitts’ boyish vocals — drenched in reverb — serve as a nice counterpunch to the heaviness of the guitars. As a whole, the heavy feel reminds me of bands like Dinosaur Jr. and My Bloody Valentine. If you’re a experiencing a retro new-wave hangover, give this one a listen, it’s a pleasant departure from much of the music that dominates today’s airwaves.
Prime Cuts: Floating Vibes, Swim, Take it Easy, Anchorage