The Curse of the Maya is a concept associated with the ancient Mayan civilization, specifically referring to the belief that anyone who disturbs or loots the sacred sites or artifacts of the Maya will be cursed with bad luck, misfortune, or even death. This notion gained popularity in the early 20th century with the rise of archaeological expeditions and explorations in Mesoamerica. The Maya civilization, known for its advanced writing system, intricate art, and astonishing architectural achievements, existed from approximately 2000 BC to 1500 AD in what is now modern-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. Their cities were abandoned and left in ruins long before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Western archaeologists and adventurers began to explore the remains of the ancient Maya cities, uncovering artifacts and deciphering their hieroglyphic writing system. As these precious artifacts were removed from their original context and transported to museums and private collections around the world, rumors of a curse associated with the Maya civilization began to circulate.

Surf Curse – Buds

The weather’s been pretty shitty in Montreal lately, all rainy and cold and lacking in vitamin d. There’s not a whole lot I’d like more right now than to be transported to a sunny beach party with all of my friends where we could rock out to surf tunes and get tans and be best buds.

Unfortunately that ain’t gonna happen. Oh, well, at least I have Surf Curse’s new album Buds to listen to. Made up of Jacob Rubeck and Nicholas Rattigan, Surf Curse is a pizza-eatin’, movie-lovin’, surf-rock duo from Reno, Nevada, which has officially moved up a few notches on my “places I should probably go check out sometime” list.

With repetitive choruses (“you promised me everything was gonna be alright, woah, you promised me everything was gonna be alright, woah, you promised me everything was gonna be alright, woah…”) and ample falsetto ooooh’ s throughout, Surf Curse is like a marriage between Wavves and The Ramones. And a beautiful marriage it is. As can be the case with this genre of music, there tends to be a slight overuse of the falsetto ooooh’ s and many of the songs blend together into one mesh of repetitive shouting choruses, but that’s not really a problem if you ask me. There’s not one track on this album that I don’t want to get up and dance to; in fact, I’m bobbing my head along to my favourite track on the album right now: “Goth Babe.” The song starts strong and fast with pounding drums and a punky guitar riff, and proclaims:

“I want a goth babe in my life
I want someone I can bite
I want to listen to the cure
I want to tell you that I’m yours”

Every line of the song seems to be punctuated by an exclamation mark, and the enthusiasm is infectious, capturing the uncomplicated simplicity of summertime that everyone dreams of. At times abrasive, always pretty loud, but never not dance-worthy and upbeat, these old school, lo-fi surf tunes are perfect for that basement beach party you’ve been dying to throw.

Surf Curse - "Freaks"

This song is from 2015; it went viral on TikTok recently and exploded on Spotify and Apple Music subsequently. This push is being backed up by Atlantic Records according to AllAccess, and they've sent the original recording instead of a cleaned-up master or re-recording. IMO, it's the smarter call to send the original, but I admit my imagination wonders what this would sound like with the cleaner production of one of Surf Curse's later songs like "Disco" (which is also increasing in popularity).

My top 50 of 2023 has been posted. Check it out!

Post by American Idiot on May 21, 2021 8:28:00 GMT -5

This one's not bad. It really does a have surf rock feel to it, so the band's name fits pretty well. I agree with what Bob said as the vocals could be better and this sounds very much like it would belong on AAA best.

Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 2, 2021 6:42:44 GMT -5

Top 50 on Alternative:

133 50 SURF CURSE Freaks 149 15 134 0.376

Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 10, 2021 6:48:29 GMT -5

Top 40 on Alternative:

50 40 SURF CURSE Freaks 305 185 120 0.706

Post by macattack on Jun 18, 2021 9:24:38 GMT -5

42 45 SURF CURSE Freaks 264 303 -39 0.433

I'm not surprised that it is already hiccuping. The way it's mixed is a difficult sell for radio. They may have to re-record/remaster it and send it again. What radio listeners like doesn't always align with what TikTok kids like for better or worse.

I still think sending the original was the smarter play (after all, it is the version people are listening to!) but I guess radio is reluctant to cooperate at the moment.

My top 50 of 2023 has been posted. Check it out!

Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 20, 2021 4:49:46 GMT -5

Top 30 on Alternative:

33 30 SURF CURSE Freaks 540 435 105 0.697

Post by Daryl the Beryl on Aug 18, 2021 4:53:36 GMT -5

Top 20 on Alternative:

25 19 SURF CURSE Freaks 786 708 78 0.855

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Album Review: Surf Curse – Magic Hour

By Devon Risner

[Atlantic Records; 2022]

Rating: 5/10

Key Tracks: “Sugar”, “Unwell”, “TVI”

After the recent rise in popularity of their hit single “Freaks” in 2015 and the success of subsequent single “Disco” in 2019, Surf Curse released something completely different from their early albums. Unfortunately, they fell into the path of the “alt-rock” radio machine where you would be hard-pressed to hear a song that really stands out. Compared to their second most recent record Heaven Beside You, this new album feels overproduced. It almost comes as no surprise, because this is the first record they released with The Atlantic Recording Company. All other albums before were self-recorded and released, so the feel and mojo of the band lives there, not with Atlantic.

The A-side of the record is a monotonous listen, with uninspired lyrics and generic guitar riffs. “Arrow”, the record’s opener, is a high-energy pop-punk song that feels like any other pop-punk that has been released in the past 20 years. “Sugar” was one of three tracks to receive a music video, which makes sense with it being one of the poppier, catchier songs on the record. It doesn’t really strike me as an interesting song, but an easy listen as far as pop-punk goes. “Self Portrait”, which also received a music video, has guitar and bass riffs that are more memorable, and the drums feel more alive and dynamic. However, it still is lacking a little personality. Track 6, “Unwell”, is where this record becomes its own creation and feels more like the band is itself. This is a perfect example of the band trying something new, with an acoustic folky opening riff. As the song progresses, it turns into a heavy slam, almost metal-like breakdown feel, then right back to the acoustic guitar. It ends on a beautiful string and keyboard part that seems to come out of nowhere. Sonically, it feels fresh, unlike the beginning of the album. Track 8, “TVI” is the last track to receive a music video. This is where the band feels more at home. Jangly guitar tones, a loud chorus, and more singable vocal lines. Surf Curse meets west coast punk is the feeling that comes to mind with this track. The closer, “Randall Flagg,” is nothing too exciting.

Magic Hour is a bit of a disappointment. Seeing this band get a major record deal with the indie surf rock touch they brought was an exciting opportunity, but ultimately, the feel was lost. Seeing this with the band only on their fourth LP is almost heartbreaking. To say they “sold out” would be too harsh, but it certainly feels like it. Of course, change and evolution are important to all bands, but no small part of the tracks seem to lack any sense of the band’s identity.

As these precious artifacts were removed from their original context and transported to museums and private collections around the world, rumors of a curse associated with the Maya civilization began to circulate. The Curse of the Maya was popularized through sensational stories and movies, linking it to the tragic fates of explorers, archaeologists, and artifact collectors who had acquired or disturbed Maya treasures. Legendary curses, such as the Curse of the Crystal Skulls or the Curse of the Jade Death Mask, fascinated the public and generated interest in the mysterious and mystical aspects of the ancient Maya civilization.

However, it is important to note that the idea of a curse associated with the Maya civilization is not based on any substantial evidence or historical records from the Maya themselves. It largely emerged as a fictional concept, perpetuated by popular culture and the desire for sensational stories. In reality, any misfortunes or tragedies that may have befallen individuals involved in Maya excavations can be attributed to factors such as accidents, diseases, natural disasters, or the dangers inherent in such expeditions, rather than supernatural curses. Regardless of its lack of factual basis, the Curse of the Maya continues to capture the imagination of people around the world. It adds an air of mystery and intrigue to the ancient Maya civilization, reminding us of the lasting impact and fascination these remarkable people have on our modern world..

Reviews for "The Mayan Curse: Modern-Day Consequences"

1. John - 1/5 - I really did not enjoy "Curse of the May Ams." The plot was confusing and hard to follow, leaving me feeling disengaged throughout the entire book. The characters lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with or care about their struggles. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, hindering any potential for meaningful interactions. Overall, it was a disappointing read that I wouldn't recommend.

2. Sarah - 2/5 - "Curse of the May Ams" had such an interesting concept, but it fell short in execution. The pacing was extremely slow, with long stretches of nothing happening. The writing style was disjointed and inconsistent, making it hard to stay invested in the story. Additionally, the world-building felt underdeveloped, leaving many unanswered questions. Although there were a few intriguing moments, they were overshadowed by the overall lackluster experience.

3. Michael - 2/5 - The premise of "Curse of the May Ams" sounded promising, but sadly, it failed to deliver. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real growth or development. The plot was predictable, with no real surprises or twists to keep me engaged. The writing style felt amateurish, filled with cliches and awkward phrasing. It's a shame because there was potential for a compelling story, but unfortunately, it fell flat in execution.

4. Emily - 1/5 - I struggled to get through "Curse of the May Ams." The writing was convoluted and confusing, making it hard to follow the storyline. The descriptions were overly verbose, bogging down the narrative and hindering the pacing. I found myself skimming through pages just to get to the end. The lack of character development made it difficult to care about what happened to them. Overall, it was a tedious and lackluster read that I wouldn't recommend to others.

5. David - 2/5 - "Curse of the May Ams" had an intriguing premise, but the execution fell short. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of slow development and sudden bursts of action. The dialogue felt stilted and unnatural, hindering any genuine emotional connection to the characters. While there were a few interesting ideas sprinkled throughout, they were overshadowed by the confusing plot and lack of cohesive storytelling. Overall, it was a disappointing read that left me underwhelmed.

The Curse of the Mayan Temple: A Deadly Legacy