The Big Wave Beach Day - Spring Break

The Big Wave Beach Day

Spring Break
self-released; 2015

3.4 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

The Big Wave Beach Day is as far as I know one guy who loves music and surfing. With that information you can probably surmise that he would make surf rock. This is a true statement when it comes to his recent release Spring Break. That being said, he also flirts with other genres over the course of the seven songs. 

Spring Break is the first EP from The Big Wave Beach Day and I have to say he is off to a good start. The recording quality is pretty good for a complete DIY effort and the songwriting is slick. 

The album starts with a short song entitled “ESP” that is under two-minutes long but is well done. It’s a catchy tune that combines garage and surf rock with a bit of psychedelia. His lyrics are open to interpretation when he sings, “I could live in in a psychic garden / No one knows but you.”

The second track “Birds” is straight up surf rock and implements the ever-popular A-G-F-E chord progression. It’s well done even if the riff is familiar. The dirty guitar combined with his reverb-laced vocals is a enjoyable juxtaposition that works well. On the next song “Mine” he seems to actually be singing about surfing. He sings, “You can't get in my way now cuz I'm flyin', down the line / You gotta get off my wave cuz it’s mine, all mine.” The Beach Boys-esque vocal harmonies during the chorus are the highpoint. 

As the EP progresses he starts to experiment with different shades and styles. “Sweet Blue Dream” is more melancholy than anything that came before while “Night Shade” revolves around electronic drums and synth. “Night Shade” reminded me of Panda Bear in a number of ways from the production to the vocal delivery.

He closes with a subdued instrumental number entitled “Window.” I wasn’t expecting that type of song to close out the EP but it worked fairly well. Spring Break is a solid EP that showcases some innate talent with potential. Keep your eye on this one. 

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