Austin Town Hall

Rating:

Seattle’s La Luz began making waves around the Internet with the release of their Damp Face EP, but they’ve kept the best hits from that release and added new tunes to round out their first full-length, It’s Alive.  The surf guitar tendencies make the group relevant in today’s musical landscape, though you can see that their classic sound would probably fit well in the days of old, which is why it’s such a joy to spend some time with this release.

“Sure as Spring” opens up with a rolling beach drum beat, which is cast quickly aside for a beat that gives a bit more of a punch to the track.  It’s the first witness of La Luz‘s surf sound, but the vocals really are what allow the group to create a special sound.  My ears hear bits of doo-wop and Motown lurking in the way the girl’s combine harmonies atop one another, though I’m aware this was definitely a fad in the era of paisley.  From the start, it becomes clear that the music being crafted is differentiated from the masses by these vocals.

While those harmonies hold a special place in my heart, the more time I spend with It’s Alive, the more I begin to appreciate the drawn out vocals that are present in songs like “What Good Am I.”  Not only is this one of the tracks that stands away from the surf sound, but the vocal performance is really endearing.  It’s got a smooth delivery, though there are hints of smokiness laying within the confines that references sultry lounge-singers.  Similarly, “Call Me in the Day,” which is one of the remainders from the Damp Face EP offers further insight into the group’s usage of vocal interplay. The lead grasps onto the softer delivery previously mentioned, while the supporting vocals offer a swagger that can only be assisted by a set of superb back-up singers.  It provides more of a soulful feel to the sound being created by these ladies, and one that continues to push the envelope of what some might say is simply surf-rock.

Still, with the prevalent vocals, don’t think I’ve overlooked the blending of psych/surf sounds throughout the record.  The album’s title track,”It’s Alive” is the perfect place to look, utilizing a darkened vocal atop the band’s surfing tendencies.  It’s the song that perhaps epitomizes the group’s sound the most, though my personal highlights might lay elsewhere.  Another nod to surf comes via the classic sounding “Sunstroke.” It encapsulates the sound perfectly, offering up a short instrumental that quickly laps at your feet much like you’d expect the waves to do as you stand upon the shore.

For a debut record, It’s Alive has a lot to offer listeners.  I’ve really been gravitating towards the vocals on my last six or seven spins of the LP, which is perhaps where the group could make some adjustments going forward.  La Luz have nailed the surf-rock sound, and combined it with classic girl-group harmonies, though one can hope for a touch more diversity.  There are hints of such moves throughout, which is more than enough to show that this is a group that’s destined to prove they’re more than a one-trick pony.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LaLuz_CallMeInTheDay.mp3]

Download: La Luz – Call Me In The Day [MP3]

It’s Alive is available now from Hardly Art.