If everybody had a surf-band...

Come play surf music with me

Well in the grand tradition that is this lo-fi surf pop world, there are bands. Most of them are average. Some really great. They all sound the same. No exception for Art Imperial, that drench their guitars in reverb, and vocals in echo and reverb. What they can also do, is write fun songs that are good, and have a drive to them.

In their Surf Suburban EP (that can be found <<>>) for a pay as much as you want download. They write good songs. Starting with "When I'm With You (I feel dumb" which is an obvious play off a similarly titled Best Coast song. Though, despite the title, the only similarity is stylistically, and even then its minimal. These guys are a mix between Wa\/\/eS and BC, and they do it in a good way. I'd say they're like Japanese Motors or Sleeping Bags as well. Anyway, I digress. The song is poppy and fun.

The same goes for "My crystal." A song either sung about a girl named crystal, or he is using crystal figuratively, referring to his love as a crystal.  Again, an upbeat pop song. Solid, good.

Then the Inbetweener is more of a depressing song, in an upbeat fashion. It features oohs and aahs, and some good guitar work.

The last song I'll talk about (there are a couple I'm omitting, but you can listen to them), is "The one You Choose." Its somber. Its a boy singing to a girl "I'm the one you choose to fulfill your needs..." and other sexual talk. Obviously a song referring to the way a boy looks at his role in a sexual relationship. He is the boy that she chose to meet her needs sexually, and otherwise I presume.

Anyway, kick ass album, and I paid 0 for it, and heard about it from Erin.

Splash away,
Wesley