Surfer Blood’s debut album, Astro Coast, introduced a blend
of classic surfer rock and alternative pop that was alluring enough to get
the indie band signed to major label Warner Bros Records. Their initial release
stunned audiences with complex, guitar-heavy melodies; however, it was the arrest record of lead singer John Paul Pitts that gained severe public scrutiny.
The group’s latest album seems to reflect the circumstances surrounding the
domestic battery allegations Potts faced from his previous live-in
girlfriend. Surfer Blood’s latest album, Pythons,
hopes to satisfy the faithful listeners while swaying the distraught fans back
into the band’s good graces.
The first track, “Demon Dance,” is a
solid introduction to the band's slightly altered musical direction as it
focuses on a less guitar centered sound and in the direction of something more pop influenced. The song at first appears to be a mellow opening to the album, but picks up
once the screaming vocals come into play. “Weird Shapes” is best
described by lead singer John Paul Potts as a “left of center pop song about
someone who is about to go through a manic episode.” The infectious drumbeats accompanied by Pott's piercing screams make for a multi-dimensional
lead off song. Lyrically, the song presents a sense of immediacy in making the
most out of life best reflected when saying “I just want to hit it hard before
it’s too late.” “Squeezing Blood” is a dynamic song that shows off the new sonic
palate Surfer Blood created for their latest album, making it a
noteworthy sampler to gain the feel of their newest effort. “Gravity” is a
clash of upbeat pop influences and sweet vocals that depict a relationship being
compromised behind a space themed metaphor.
For the most part, the record's first few songs sort of
trick you into believing the album congeals into a gripping collection of
songs. It’s in the middle of Pythons where things become lackluster
and highly underwhelming. “Say Yes To Me” and “Needles and Pins” are by no
means a trainwreck, but they leave much to be sought after in terms of the
complexity the group's sound had in Astro
Coast. However, even bottom of the barrel songs on this album benefit from the
polished studio presence of accomplished producer Gil Norton. It’s hard to say
whether his presence diminished the guitar-heavy element the previous album had
or if it was simply the band's inevitable direction.
Luckily, the album ends on a high note
with “Prom Song.” This song resembles much of the work
from Astro Coast likely because the instrumentals were
conceived years ago, before they had been discovered. The concept of prom is
misconstrued in the lyrics to describe not the best night of your life, but the
most wasteful. The song flares with peppy percussion, spot on vocals and guitar tones reminiscent of their earlier work. Pythons as a whole missed the mark on the second half of tracks, but were able to make several surfer rock and pop songs
that define who they are as a band.
Grade: B
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