Since most of us reading a website are living in modernity, this is the most general category. Music that's certain surf, but influenced, even if not overtly by modern music. As a result, it tends to be the biggest category, and with 8 honorable mentions and one winner this year, that seems to be the case.
Part of the reason you have so many honorable mentions this year is because there wasn't an obvious standout. All of these are outstanding in their own way, and none of them overpower the others. Hopefully you'll feel the same way.
Honorable Mentions
The Meteoroids - S/T
Surf central command has been tracking the trajectory of these Meteoroids, so the impact of their LP was no surprise. The band is comprised of members of established surf groups Boss Fink and The Baffles, and many of these tracks were already known from three 7"s released last year. There's plenty of bands doing heavy surf music, but I expect The Meteoroids have more traditionalist appeal than most of them, with song structures that feel surprisingly vintage and tone that's mean and nasty but not ugly punk rock mud. But there's a lot of punchy low-end to bolster teenage surf panic with a big-boy brawn. They get it.
The Boss Martians - Venus & the Western Sky
So as somebody that came into surf around 2005ish, I've had a bit of a disconnect about The Boss Martians. They were a band I heard a LOT about, but when I tried to bone up on them, I heard a few cool songs on compilations, a LOT of vocal stuff, and some early-career surf that was good but not enough to make sense out of their legend. Then in 2019 I saw them play at Surfguitar101 and, ok, that is something to build a reputation on! And the two other times I've seen them since were similarly pure rock&roll mania at 1.25x speed.
I say all this because this record, their first surf record in over 20 years and their first at all in over 10, patches up that disconnect. Pure surf fireworks with boundless ability, a pushy rhythm section, and a fantastic notion of what makes surf shimmer and how to twist it into something nasty. This is the Boss Martians I expected. No, it's more. But at under 17 minutes, more is also how I feel at the end.
Messer Chups - Dark Side of Paradise
It's not a huge tweak, but the subtle transformation into Jazzer Chups feels like the piece that this prolific group was missing. Oleg's springy guitar interjects evocatively and Zombierella's vocals are well-suited to a smokey lounge vibe. There's a Twin Peaks aspect on this album that hasn't come through as strongly in past recordings (not even in their Badalamenti cover). Messer Chups' vast discography can be hard to navigate, especially with duplicate tracks (there are multiple tracks on here that they've played before), but this is a standout in their library.
Dr. Tritón - Leyendas del Mar
As somebody who listens to new surf music on an almost daily basis, I worry that I don't give records deep enough listens -- that they have to grab my attention with something extra on the first spin to get a chance. This is the sort of album that I worry I'll miss. A band I'm already familiar with, standard instrumentation, adequate but not noteworthy production, no kick-you-in-the-teeth opening track. But basic surf isn't bad surf, and sometimes I'll listen to a surf album struggling to find something to say until I decide it's not worth it, but it became clear with each listen to this that I needed to say something.
While their sound is almost template modern surf, there is a bit of a vibe: nostalgic and sunny -- weekend with your bros music, and it's bolstered by great melodies on every single song. Again, not attention-getting, experimental, nothing desperate, but not lazy either. These guys aren't just playing music because it's fun, it's aspirational fun music, intentionally making music designed to lift their spirits and hopefully ours. It's a fantastic reminder of what the "basic" surf sound can do when used thoughtfully.
Desert Undertones - The Sentinel
Despite the band name, there's not a whole lot of spaghetti western happening here, but I do think they have something pretty special all of their own. They have a sound imbued with desperation, loneliness, and a story. Savage when they want to be and almost always heartfelt, with a knack for resolving musical phrases in a deeply satisfying manner. I have to admit, their 2023 EP didn't perk up my ears much, but I noticed that it did for Mark Malibu, and he was clearly on to something -- I think this record stakes their claim as rising stars in surf.
Pointbreak - Ming Dynamite
Pointbreak aren't precious with surf music, happy to push and pull at it, toss a few extra things in there, and see what sticks. They're also grabbing your by the wrist and taking you on all sorts of adventures, ready or not, with surf guitar (and saxophone) always there as your safety blanket. There's plenty of soul elements, jazz elements, and criminal elements. Non-traditional for sure, but unexpected and fresh if you're up for it.
Chris Casello - Surfin' Hayride
This is a record that sits on the edge of traditional and modern, as there's nothing about it that isn't pure roots music, but there's also several musical fences being hopped and wild ideas at play. What if "Taboo" were played as a 50's guitar boogie? "Jolene" as Spaghetti Western? Wouldn't Elvis hate it if "Suspicious Minds" were twanged on a sitar like a buncha HIPPIES? These experiments are great, but the originals, often with a bit of a rockabilly bounce, are an absolute showcase of talent and fun. Oh and you've got Eddie Angel on guitar too if you're not sold already.
The Charades - We Like To Do That!
The Charades have always been a solid group but there's a boldness to this one that really jumps out. While many of these twenty songs are covers, their choices are typically off the beaten path and their approach is always smart, unexpected, and enjoyable. Their judicious use of fuzz, keys, and other less typical surf elements give them a Wrecking Crew feel -- total versatility and professionality. These twenty tracks just fly by.
And the Gremmy goes to...
The Surfrajettes - Easy as Pie
I love surf music, and I've always been appreciative of what The Surfrajettes have done for the genre, but I'm going to be honest: back when they had naught but a 7" with their viral youtube hit, I didn't think I'd end up picking them for a Gremmy one day. There are tons of good surf bands, hundreds of great ones, and many oustanding ones, and I feel like I've watched The Surfrajettes grow into each.
Roller Fink, which I categorized as traditional surf, was very much a debut album, leaning into what was expected of them (covers) but giving you enough time to glean hints of a more overarching sonic identity. Easy As Pie is the sort of record you would expect from a band that's arguably the biggest in the genre now. They've had multiple coast-to-coast tours supporting fairly high-profile acts, and I think by now they have a pretty good idea of who they are and they know that it's working pretty well.
As I've had more time with this album, I had a bit of a revelation: most of my favorite tracks aren't covers. Don't get me wrong, "Spice Up Your Life" feels like the Terminator 2 to their "Toxic" Terminator, dialing all of it up to another level. However, it's the slow otherworldliness of "Chiffon Daydream", the bursting drama of "Word Salad", and the litling momentum-shifts of "Lickity Split" that were showing me things that were not just a fresh side of The 'Jettes, but... just fresh!
I shouldn't have used a Terminator anlogy. That's practically the inverse of the vibe shown here, as this album and the one before it are highly listenable journeys from start to finish that are largely unconcerned with aggression or a sense of danger. The band that got your attention with Britney Spears are indeed approaching surf from a more pop music angle, making records for you to simply enjoy in a direct sense of the word. And I did. It's that unique, perhaps even signature sparkle that coats this album from start to finish that eventually tipped the Gremmy in their favor.
