SURFER BLOOD
★★★½
Album: “Snowdonia”
Genre: Rock
Label: Joyful Noise
Online: Watch the “Matter of Time” video at http://bit.ly/2iP2MsD.
★★★½
Album: “Snowdonia”
Genre: Rock
Label: Joyful Noise
Online: Watch the “Matter of Time” video at http://bit.ly/2iP2MsD.
Florida indie band Surfer Blood overcame the worst kind of adversity to make its fourth album, “Snowdonia.”
Founding guitarist Thomas Fekete had to leave the band in 2015, shortly before the release of its last album, “1000 Palms,” after being diagnosed with cancer. He died last May at 27.
The band also added bassist Lindsey Mills to replace Kevin Williams, who left after Fekete’s death. The re-vamped quartet, which also features John Paul Pitts (vocals), Mike Mcleary (guitar) and Tyler Schwarz (drums), went on to record the altogether marvelous “Snowdonia.”
Pitts’ polished tenor serves as the gateway, leading the listener into tracks both straightforward and complex, both conventional and adventurous.
The insanely catchy “Matter of Time” barrels along energetically, especially during its fizzy chorus, in thrall to its simple melodic momentum, while the nearly-eight-minute title track shimmers its way through its multipart structure while keeping its focus and clarity to the final note.
In addition to Pitts, the band has another important vocal resource in bassist Mills, whose skillful backing harmonies add tenderness and subtle beauty to tracks such as “Dino Jay” and the dazzling ballad “Carrier Pigeon.”
Surfer Blood makes each of the scant eight tracks on “Snowdonia” count, with no filler allowed. Its often-intricate songs are imbued with tinges of wonder and mystery, and the band plays them with the perfect combination of power and finesse.
The band plays at the Teragram Ballroom near downtown Los Angeles on Feb. 17.
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