La Luz - Weirdo Shrine

La Luz
Weirdo Shrine
2015

La Luz are messing with you. Sure their surf rock Lo-Fi sound is inviting and hypnotizing in it's simplicity and familiarity, but under that there is a message of existential angst  Despite the "ooohhhsss" and "ahhhhhs" these Seattle based ladies have some real shit to say. The sense of dread overcomes this entire record, while you are looking at the pretty girls harmonizing on stage death is creeping up behind you just waiting to strike. That seems to be the most interesting thing that La Luz are able to do, keep a beautiful sound while treading into the deep water. Weirdo Shrine never comes across as a sophomore release, it is so out there are so unpolished that you can tell this band is not afraid of taking a risk. Which should be clear since they are a surf rock band in 2015. Musically their sound could hold up against any of the greats of old, with full reverb guitar solos and organs blasting this is Surf Rock at a very high level.

The one thing missing off Weirdo Shrine is some kind of hook. In their attempt to really go out there it seems that La Luz have sacrificed on energy. This record is like an amazing movie that you never want to see again, you got what you needed but now you feel you can move on. The choice to go so Lo-Fi is also an interesting one. It does ground Weirdo Shrine firmly in the genre but after awhile the sound becomes dated and the hiss of the space just annoying. It is enjoyable to hear someone embracing the clicks and flaws (few as they may be) but after awhile it becomes daunting especially on a record as transfixing as this. In the end Weirdo Shrine is a whole lot of good and some bad, but that really is the point; embracing the light despite the dark.

7 out of 10