It's been a good start to 2010 music wise. I've already given positive reviews to discs from Vampire Weekend and The Soft Pack and we still have new albums from the likes of She & Him and MGMT to look forward to. But my favorite album of the year so far is Astro Coast by Surfer Blood, which was released by the Florida quintet in January.
The album is a throwback to the nineties (it's easy to catch glimpses of Pavement, The Pixies, and Weezer) with some Afro-pop beats mixed in and all performed at a beach party. The hooks are abundant and the guitars are strong. Yet it all feels effortless.
The album kicks off with "Floating Vibes" (featured below) which is easily my favorite song of the year so far then kicks into high gear with big vocals and big guitars on "Swim." "Take It Easy" has a Vampire Weekend-esque worldly vibe. "Harmonix" slows things down while maintaining a big guitar feel. It's all fantastic.
Verdict: Four big stars.
Key Tracks: "Swim" and "Floating Vibes"
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