November Birthdays 
I have been listening to Cutback's "Surfer's Journey" over the last week; it's a really intriguing album, and I keep coming back to it, digging deeper, looking for explanations as to why I like it.
I think it's important to know that the guys in the band are lifelong surfers, somewhere squarely in the middle of boomer age. That means they listened to first wave surf music when they were kids, (I don't know, I'm making lots of assumptions here), and have an authentic, lifelong view of surf culture. Part of that view involves accepting that surf music isn't just our beloved reverb instrumentals, but whatever surfers listen to between sets, whatever big sounds might inspire more surfing. For whatever reason, these seasoned dudes chose to come back to instrumentals, it was just one of the many options available for a beach party band.
So, here you have a band that understands that music doesn't needs words to express the power of the ocean, and also have a long road view of surf culture, one that isn't defined by various revivals. Clearly they aren't going to go the trad route, or attempt to remake their long lost youth (sorry I keep harping on your age, fellas!). The main thing that I get from "Surfer's Journey," is how comfortable Cutback are in their own skin, unafraid to play it exactly as they want it, without irony or pretense.
They are going to drop a little well earned wisdom, they are gonna play some bluesy guitar solos. The songs are inspired by, and contain elements of the early bones of surf music, but are mostly filtered through an AOR mindset wherein the guitar equals freedom of expression. But these aren't free-form jams or soundscapes, not by a long shot, it's one tuneful song after another. Sometimes they remind me a little of the Insect Surfers. But, I would say the similarity goes back to their shared 70's roots, rather than Cutback trying to cop the Insects. That's about the only surf cross-reference I can think of, these guys are really mining their own gold here.
Cutback is in it for the long ride— of life, music, surfing — and wisdom has revealed that there are no barriers between their passions. That unconflicted freedom shines through the music on "Surfer's Journey."
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