Wave
Artist: La Vega
Label: Major Nation
Release Date: August 13, 2013
Duration: 13 tracks, 44:43
In the Wave collective, you hear a reminiscence ranging from
early ‘60s California surfer underground and mid ‘60s ballads to a little
Animals, Joe Jackson, and a touch of Joe Strummer’s The Clash. But the
consistent undertone is a new wave of surfer tunes along older melodies. That
said the sound is fresh and moving.
A hot opener with a little reverb and a little reggae rhythm
guitar, indie pop surfer rock hits the scene with “Do The Surfer Girl Limbo”. There’s a touch of Black Keyes here.
Meanwhile, the flip to tunes like the Beach Boys-like “Love Ya Self” and a
touch of early Animals in “Shade” makes one think they are listening to a
soundtrack for a future sequel to Pulp Fiction. Listen for the Trini Lopez
guitar bridge near the end of the “Shade”.
“Key West” has everyone one the indie beat talking. This
song sounds so much like a Joe Strummer / Clash written song you’d think he
wrote it. “Slow Down” has a touch of Joe Jackson. “Where You Normally Go” gives
a distant nod to old Link Wray offerings.
With a Hawaiian slide intro, “Wave” is a solid instrumental
among heavy hitters. Later, “Minor Nightmares” entrances with lightly echoed
vocals enhanced by dream-like melody. If one were to mix “Wave” as and intro to
“Minor Nightmares” we would have a great combo for the next Jack Johnson surfing
soundtrack! The song’s emotion is enhanced with a late break to a matching
instrumental ending.
The remainder includes ballads in “Exit Tax” and “Jackie”
(listen for the musically dramatic crescendo), radio ready “You Had To Be
There” and “It’s Nice To Think That It Might Be True” and one leftover in
“Radio Free”.
Wave leaves the listener wondering what could be next for La
Vega. Wave has a wide berth of offering inside a new birth of surfer music;
summer might be ending but La Vega seems to be just beginning.
Scott S Mertens
3 tocks
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