Astro Coast

iTunes Review

With Astro Coast, South Florida’s Surfer Blood have officially ushered in the ‘90s indie-rock revival. Pulling from Pavement’s all-American boyish quirkiness and Sebadoh’s penchant for low fidelity production and boutique distortion pedals, they also inject an adoration of surf music into their tones. Anyone familiar with Beachwood Sparks’ musical family tree will hear hints of Further influencing the dirty warmth of awesome opener “Floating Vibes.” The Shinsesque “Swim” rocks with oceans of reverb and angular instrumental arrangements, while the muted guitar arpeggios on “Take It Easy” are a cool nod to Bob Bogle from the Ventures. Named after one of the best reverb pedal manufacturers, “Harmonix” is a more relaxed outing with walls of sound à la My Bloody Valentine and tastefully catchy melodies that would sit perfectly on a mix alongside any song from the Tyde). Where bands like Phantom Surfers and the Surf Punks embraced a “beat it, kook” attitude, it’s a welcome change to hear a more inviting and optimistic take on surf themes, especially in the uplifting “Fast Jabroni.”