Submitted by GregJamesDahlen t3_126s0gd in Music
Seems to me I listen to songs that feel like surf music even though don't specifically mention surf/ocean stuff. Do others have that experience? What makes it sound surfish/oceanish?
Comments
singlejeff t1_jeai6bp wrote
Surf to me is the rolling bass lines popularized (in my experience) by Dick Dale maybe with a hint of the acoustic harmonies of SoCal bands like the Beach Boys.
FandomMenace t1_jeaimdq wrote
Yes. All you really need is spring reverb. https://youtu.be/mKpsuGMeqHI
Zarekzz t1_jeaja6j wrote
Any tropical music is like surf music
heelspider t1_jeak4iw wrote
The Bird is the Word. It's a style of music. Your question is similar to asking how a song can be metal if it doesn't mention metals.
Johhnynumber5ht2a t1_jeakew2 wrote
I second the base line comment.....if anyone wants a modern day surf rock example listen to Uma Thurman by Falloutboy
GregJamesDahlen OP t1_jeakxgx wrote
thoughts on why rolling bass lines and beach boys style harmonies say surf? Is it just because the early progenitors had those elements and they became linked to surf in general? or does something about those elements really make one think of the ocean?
Notinyourbushes t1_jeal1c2 wrote
Surf music isn't just about the waves, it's about the dunes and sand. Thus the arabic influence.
Kod_Rick t1_jeame1v wrote
This Op Ivy song sounds like surf music to me.
beep-bloop-beep t1_jeamo98 wrote
that’s mostly the munsters theme song you are hearing
Ad_Pov t1_jeann28 wrote
I feel it was predated by the “exotica” genre and lounge music in some way. Chill instrumentals that have some pseudo interpretation of exotic caribbean and middle eastern music.
One thing that i think is interesting is that since it started as instrumental music, theres a lot of crazy examples from all over the world (vietnam, mexico, peru, middle east, etc) either as surf instrumentals or as an element of it (i.e. Cumbia Amazónica)
Johhnynumber5ht2a t1_jeartfi wrote
singlejeff t1_jeas3oz wrote
For me it is pretty much as you say. Growing up in the 60-70s these sounds were linked to the west coast beach culture. If you want something that is reminiscent of the ocean some of Enya’s (or others I’m not thinking of) music has that ebb and flow feel of waves on the surf.
beep-bloop-beep t1_jeb2dd0 wrote
the munsters maybe could add a bit more spring reverb and a wood paneled station wagon, and they'd be at it
Johhnynumber5ht2a t1_jeb2x6r wrote
Or they could grab some penny boards and skitch down to the bonfire
ztmwvo t1_jeb3miv wrote
Relatively simple electric guitar lead lines saturated in reverb
ztmwvo t1_jeb3paf wrote
Is reggae surf music to you?
GregJamesDahlen OP t1_jeb8tm8 wrote
any idea why reverb got associated with surf music? the ocean itself doesn't have a particularly reverby sound doesn't seem to me. or maybe waves crashing does sound reverby dk
Infinite420Question t1_jebexn0 wrote
Ghost B.C. - Ghuleh / Zombie Queen
Zombie Queen accidentally has a surf music vibe
[deleted] t1_jee2xex wrote
Surf, ska, reggae, rockabilly, punk what a mix.
trouthunter8 t1_jeai56v wrote
Sure, Dick Dale has a bunch of surf rock without any words at all. The Beach Boys have a bunch of songs about cars that i'd still consider Surf Rock... surf rock is a vibe that's pretty wide...