This category is for albums that are unmistakably surf, but would not be mistaken for vintage. This was a tough category this year and it was tough choosing a winner. A lot of these were also really pushing the envelope, and it was hard to decide what belongs here and what belongs in the Way-Out Instro category.

Surf nuts don't usually have a lot of options in New Orleans (though you do have local options The Unnaturals, The Bills, Bruiser Broussard, Blood Urchin and Rondo Hatton in Baton Rouge) but this week we've got two visiting. Two sorta surf bands. I figure it's enough to make a post about.