In Plain View

On his third studio album, the three-time world surfing champion Tom Curren blends Mark Knopfler–inspired guitar playing (“You and You Alone”) with an Eagles-esque songwriting sensibility (“Summerland Road”) and an occasional burst of Beach Boys–style melodies (“Moon"). In Plain View isn't so much a surf album as a West Coast listening experience. “First” kicks out a funk-rooted rhythm section as Curren’s guitar playing and vocal phrasing provide a groove; it makes for a nearly danceable song reminiscent of early Mother Hips recordings (save for some impressive horn arrangements). Conversely, “Gerry” simmers down into a moving ballad as Curren muses on legendary big-wave surfer Gerry Lopez, a.k.a. Mr. Pipeline. Curren's guitar solo here stands out head and shoulders above the rest of the songs on In Plain View. Toward the song's end, Curren cleverly balances its mellow tempos against some fiery fretboard shredding that borders on psychedelic; it recalls moments from the awesome soundtrack to the classic 1971 surf film Morning of the Earth.