Blog Stuff

Best Modern Surf

Modern surf is always a large category because most of us by default are modern people doing modern things, creating modern works. So it's always going to be a big category. And its not really something you can define: it's not traditional surf, it's not too aggressive, but it's still surf, and that amorphousness also means that there's a lot of things that you could call "modern surf". So what I'm getting at here is hoo boy, do I have a lot of things on here. And when I have this many things you might think "well did anything not make the cut? Absolutely, there were a lot of good and even great surf records not on this list, a few that felt like snubs, and the crazy thing is I wanted to cut more. But the thing is, I couldn't! I felt like nearly all of these in their own way had a claim for the top spot. And especially interesting, they all brough something unique to the table, not even an opportunity for one to "cancel another out".

And I guess that's a good problem to have. So here are TWELVE very interesting and excellently crafted surf records, and one that after a LOT of thought, I decided I liked the most. In no specific order except for the last one.

From: 03/11/2026 - 09:03


For our 2026 Marathon we did another showdown where listeners choose the playlist when they donate. Last year HEROES defeated FOOLS.

But this year we asked... are the heroes really doing the trick? Are they who we thought they are? MAYBE we're still waiting for a hero to save us from the mess that we're all in.

OR

MAYBE and alien invasion will set things straight. Either by banding humanity together under a common purpose, or maybe humans just need to be eliminated! Wipe the slate clean!

(also there were other interpretations that I was open to but wasn't explicitly saying, but suffice it to say, I've met many aliens that I love)

Each time somebody donated they called in and said whether their donation contributed towards heroes or aliens, and each time they did the playlist shifted from sci-fi to heroic themes and back.

It was a heck of a battle, going back and forth. We raised over $1500 for WTUL. And ALIENS beat out HEROES by TEN DOLLARS!!

We welcome our alien overlords. Thank you everybody that participated, it really means a lot. Playlist below. Listen to it here.

From: 03/09/2026 - 14:13


Hey y'all

Back from another week gap, and late again too. Oh well!

From: 02/27/2026 - 12:54


COVER SHOW

EDIT: Donation link likely won't go up today. So make your request for free!!!!

It's time for MARATHON: Our (only) yearly fundraiser. It's a two-week thing, and while next week will feature a SHOWDOWN like other years, this week we're doing covers. Which I've done before, but this time we're making it interactive too!

From: 02/23/2026 - 16:53
Tags: marathon, wtul


Pages

Subscribe to Blog Stuff

About

SSOR Logo

 

STORM SURGE OF REVERB

is a SURF & INSTRUMENTAL ROCK & ROLL radio show on
WTUL New Orleans

Every Monday from 4-6pm CST

Here's a google calendar to help you remember

Bandcamp facebook Mastodon Instagram Discord   Bluesky

Listen to WTUL

SSOR is not broadcasting right now, but there's always something interesting on at WTUL

Stream WTUL

or visit WTUL's website

Search for Stuff

Search form

Storm Surge of Reverb, like surf music in general, is a money-losing endeavor.

Feel free to buy me a coffee if you like what I do.