Pythons
by Surfer Blood
  • Record Label: Sire
  • Release Date: Jun 11, 2013
User Score
6.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 21
  3. Negative: 4 out of 21
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  1. MooziikMaster
    Jun 18, 2013
    9
    A 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,    A 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
  2. ZacharyMatson
    Jun 19, 2013
    7
    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 little tired. But still a very strong album.
  3. antonijames
    Jun 15, 2013
    9
    Surfer Blood is an absolutely fantastic and talented band. Their first album was a breath of fresh air for indie rock and had tons of powerful melodies and crunching riffs. Their second album "Pythons" is all of that and more, as these Florida rockers pound out new ways to bleed. The music is crisper and more heart gripping as well as being just as catchy. This album is amazing, andSurfer Blood is an absolutely fantastic and talented band. Their first album was a breath of fresh air for indie rock and had tons of powerful melodies and crunching riffs. Their second album "Pythons" is all of that and more, as these Florida rockers pound out new ways to bleed. The music is crisper and more heart gripping as well as being just as catchy. This album is amazing, and overall so much fun to listen to, especially on those hot summer days.… Collapse
  4. BillyKeenly
    Aug 14, 2014
    9
    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 Astro Coast, this album surpasses it in overall quality.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Blurt Magazine
    Jul 22, 2013
    60
    It makes for a suitably successful second record that, regardless of the salacious story surrounding the band that made it, pretty much lives up to the inspiring promise of their first.
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  2. Rock Sound
    Jun 28, 2013
    70
    The band’s most mainstream offering yet and first for their major label home.
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  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jun 21, 2013
    80
    An utterly charming album.
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