Album Review: Surfer Blood - Pythons

It might seem a criticism to say that a band has missed a golden opportunity to cement their place in the musical landscape, but in this case, it's a statement that should be taken with a grain of salt. There is a lot to love about Pythons, the second album from Florida's Surfer Blood. From the jangly, surf guitar riffs to the pulsing rhythm section that propels the band like a good wave carries a surfer, Pythons is certainly an enjoyable listen.

It's just, well, it's just over too damn quickly. Coming in at just over half-an-hour, by the time you get your ears stuck into it, it's pulled away like a rug in winter to leave you naked, alone, crying (or is that just me?). Anyway, you'd have to have been living under a rock for the past decade to realise that albums have been somewhat out of favour, and perhaps that's why Surfer Blood have kept Pythons short and sweet.

There's an argument for them; it's better to release ten really good songs than 14 tracks of which four are a bit dull. But with pop gems like Squeezing Blood and Say Yes To Me demonstrating Surfer Blood have some serious songwriting chops, it's hard to believe that there weren't another few songs left on the Pythons cutting room floor.

What it does mean is that if/when a B-sides or rarities album drops one day, there should be plenty of gold to choose from. For now though, enjoy Pythons while it lasts. Or maybe just throw it on repeat, learn the words, and wait for the next album to arrive.