Review – The Surfrajettes: Easy As Pie ★★★★☆

Canada’s queens of surf guitar follow up their delightful 2022 debut album Roller Fink with a sophomore offering in blueberry, lemon meringue and key lime-coloured vinyl variations.

The title track announces that things are moving in a tougher direction, and kicks off this terrific collection of a dozen instrumentals in fine style. Easy As Pie is an excellent blend of twanging guitar and  terrace-stomping glam rock beat that could easily be the lost theme from some rowdy 1970s kid’s TV show. Toasted Western follows on and its whip-cracking pace and cowboy movie tone suggest that this menu contains many portions of spicy fare alongside the sweet morsels.

This food-themed focus continues with the more traditional surf-flavoured Clam Chowder, a spy movie-style belter that also possesses a heavier, rough edge. That’s not to say it’s all heads down, no-nonsense boogie throughout and tunes such as Lickity Split and Double Reverb have a slightly lighter touch while Chiffon Daydream will have you drifting into the clouds.

Perhaps the band’s near constant touring schedule has given their new recordings a more immediate urgency and the possibly rude sounding Hot Doggin’ and Priss & Vinegar are two more examples of their improved brand of vigorous string-bending. If you’re looking for soul, then Instant Coffee offers an opportunity to twist and shout while Word Salad has a strangely epic quality that goes well beyond the usual six-string workout.

The inclusion of a wordless version of The Spice Girls’ Spice Up Your Life seems a tad unnecessary considering the quality of the band’s own compositions but their take on Nancy Sinatra’s Sugar Town is interpreted nicely and ends the album on a pleasingly leisurely note. While the album cover may suggest that the band are all sweetness and light, Easy As Pie proves that The Surfrajettes could just as easily serve up a knuckle sandwich as well a plateful of sugary treats.

Order at Hi-Tide Recordings here

Words by Craig Brackenridge

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