Surfer Blood
Snowdonia
Reviewed by: Meredith Aristone
Surfer Blood make it evident that they aren’t rookies in the pop-rock scene with their melodically orgasmic fourth album, Snowdonia. It is notable in the band’s repertoire of material as the first album since their debut that was not only written, but produced solely by lead singer John Paul Pitts. The contrast between the beachy implications of the band’s name and the winter wonderland themed record title are enough to make heads turn. However, it is the lyrical honesty and maintenance of the delicate balance between mellow instrumentals and verbal tributes to darker subjects weighing on the hearts of the band members that make it truly golden.
It seems that the name ‘Snowdonia’ is representative of the emotional storm that the band braved when they tragically lost guitarist Thomas Fekete to the unfortunate grip of cancer; it was composed relatively soon after their first tour in his absence.
The fourth track on the album, arguably the most attention grabbing due to its’ heart shattering brutality, is a fearlessly truthful tribute to death, more specifically what it might feel like to be aware of mortality’s slow approach. In the company of low-fi electric guitar, Pitts croons lyrics such as “I’m losing precious time, so don’t keep me in mind” even going so far as to personify death, singing “I felt his icy breath. When I turned around to face him, I was paralyzed.” The haunting impact of this tune drags listeners into a perversely hollow existential state of mind, but the ability to evoke feeling in this manner is not only demonstrative of the band’s talent, but of Pitts’ poetic prowess and overall ability to make successful connections with an audience. This track demands an empathetic sadness, that will pass, but refuse to do so without forcing those who hear it to do some serious reflecting on how alive they truly air, and how quickly the privilege of breathing could and might be revoked.
Rating: Iconic
