The tunes are there, they’re tsunami big and surfer cool--the lyrics are there, bold, bleak and biting--but there’s been an oversight when it comes to stamping on the pedals, letting rip and allowing Surfer Blood to tear this material a new hole.
On Astro Coast Pitts stared at the bright, unwritten future in front of him, but on Pythons he’s locked in place, rendered motionless by the oppressive chip on his shoulder.
A rough, rigid rebirth of classic 1990s alternative sounds blow through each verse of Surfer Blood's sophomore album, Pythons. Every trackA rough, rigid rebirth of classic 1990s alternative sounds blow through each verse of Surfer Blood's sophomore album, Pythons. Every track features its own attractive melodies with surprising twists and turns. From smooth, symphonic beats on some tracks, to death metal screams and thrashing guitars on others.
"Demon Dance", the opening track that encompasses all of what Surfer Blood is, shows off the real talent of the band. The schizophrenic tempo shifts and emotions shown on in the vocals creates a track of chaos. "Gravity" follows with a Foo Fighters-esque guitar section and some calming indie rock harmonies. A heavier side of Surfer Blood is shown in "Weird Shapes". With a seemingly innocent beginning, the track suddenly becomes a black-hole of swirling bedlam The next three tracks, "I Was Wrong", "Squeezing Blood", and "Say Yes To Me", manage to fill a void of nothingness with catchy guitar chords and spot-on harmonies. "Blair Witch" provides another upbeat track full of enthusiastic vocals and epic instrumentation. "Needles And Pins" slows things down ever so slightly with an added acoustic guitar, dreamy vocal harmonies, and meaningful lyrics. "Slow Six" brings the album to a much needed progressive song. With many upbeat, indie-sounding tracks, "Slow Six" showcases the raw power of Surfer Blood. With a slow, dragged-out intro, the song quickly transports you to the middle of a concert set in the mid 90s. Finally, "Prom Song" ends off the album in a similar fashion to how it began. With an almost poppy track of guitar-filled goodness, the album has come full circle.
Pythons is a fantastic throwback to what real rock music is. With a twist of indie pop thrown in the mix, the album is a spectacle to listen to. Every track leaves you with a permanent grin and the urge to start a mosh pit.…Expand
One of my favorite rock records of the past few years. A perfect distillation of Pixies, Weezer and Smoking Popes. As much as I enjoyed AstroOne of my favorite rock records of the past few years. A perfect distillation of Pixies, Weezer and Smoking Popes. As much as I enjoyed Astro Coast, this album surpasses it in overall quality.…Expand
Their first LP had it all, cool guitars, great riffs, awesome vocals, and so does all of Python, but this time around it just seems a littleTheir first LP had it all, cool guitars, great riffs, awesome vocals, and so does all of Python, but this time around it just seems a little tired. But still a very strong album.…Collapse
This album on the whole is descent, but that is because it is a mix of great and lackluster songs. The first few songs on the album had meThis album on the whole is descent, but that is because it is a mix of great and lackluster songs. The first few songs on the album had me worried. They were full of generic rythm and nothing felt creative or even catchy. A few songs in the album really starts to take flight A few songs including 'Weird Shapes' and 'Blair Witch' were one's that caught me and stuck. I'll be relistening to the album just for the handful of super quality songs, but I'll be skipping through just as many as I listen to.…Expand
