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The Routes - Surfin' Pleasures
Topsy Turvy Records TTR-027
LP / CD / Streaming out November 8th 2024!

LP limited to 1000 copies with embossed cover and inner sleeve (artwork by Peter Saville and Malcolm Garrett). Pressed at the same pressing plant as the 40th Anniversary pressing of Joy Division "Unknown Pleasures".

First 100 copies ordered directly from Soundflat mailorder come with a numbered poster and postcard (signed by the band).

Preview:
Link

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, The Routes are back with their unique blend of “beat-you-to-death surf music” (Iggy Pop). Their latest target: the music of Joy Division!

Having previously surfy-fied the songs of Kraftwerk and Buzzcocks, “Surfin’ Pleasures” sees The Routes take on the music of Joy Division. As with their previous “tributes”, this is not an album of note for note cover versions. The Routes have only taken subtle melodic and rhythmic hints from the original songs; rearranging them into songs of their own, respectfully and lovingly translating the music of Joy Division into a different musical language.

“Surfin’ Pleasures” sees twelve classic Joy Division songs reimagined and rearranged as banging 60s surf guitar instrumentals (à la The Ventures, Dick Dale, Shadows, Trashmen, Terauchi Takeshi, Link Wray, The Surfaris and The Astronauts and more).

Prepare to be taken on a wild musical trip where “A Means To An End” and “Ice Age” are transformed into the background music of a 60s drag race movie, “Transmission” hints at the classic Astronauts sound, and “Digital” gets the beach party treatment... You don’t have to be a fan of Joy Division to enjoy these tunes, and likewise if you’re a Joy Division fan you don’t need to be a fan of surf music to enjoy them.

The record cover comes courtesy of British design icons Peter Saville and Malcolm Garrett. It is a reworking of Peter Saville’s design for Joy Division’s “Unknown Pleasures”. Reminiscent of the op art of Bridget Riley, the lines are no longer that of a pulsar, but that of the sound wave of a reverb tank.

Blasphemy or alchemy? You decide!

One thing is for sure is that The Routes have provided the world with yet another future cult classic, destined to irk or jerk for eons to come.