Surf Curse is an indie rock band from Los Angeles that is known for their deviant tunes. With their unique blend of surf rock and punk, the band creates a sound that is both nostalgic and rebellious. Their lyrics often delve into themes of love, angst, and the struggles of adolescence. One of Surf Curse's most popular songs, "Freaks," showcases their deviant tunes perfectly. The song tells the story of two misfits who find solace in each other's company. The lyrics paint a picture of a world that rejects them, but they find comfort in their own uniqueness.
It may not ever move past the joke that is its central character — even when it takes him seriously — but it successfully finds ways to repeat that joke in brand-new permutations that work for those of us who enjoyed it in the first place.
It may not ever move past the joke that is its central character even when it takes him seriously but it successfully finds ways to repeat that joke in brand-new permutations that work for those of us who enjoyed it in the first place. Written and directed by Bowser, Onyx The Fortuitous is a genre pastiche, if the genre in question is early-2000s children s horror à la The Little Vampire.
The lyrics paint a picture of a world that rejects them, but they find comfort in their own uniqueness. The driving guitar and energetic drums add to the rebellious nature of the song. Another standout track from Surf Curse is "Disco," which takes a more upbeat approach to their deviant tunes.
Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls Review
Movies based on viral sensations face an uphill battle, be it the longer, more structured format, or simply too much time having passed since the original meme’s popularity — just ask FЯED: THE MOVIE. You would think the same fate would befall Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls, a crowdfunded indie based on the Weird Satanist Guy viral video from 2016, but if so then you obviously don’t know the power of the Dark Lord. In the video, a fake news broadcast depicts the unveiling of a Satan statue in Detroit, to which a bearded, fedora-sporting interviewee, Onyx (Andrew Bowser), responds with wide-eyed enthusiasm, a cartoonishly determined affect, and frequent, rapid-fire interjections of “I don’t know.” (This was followed by the even more popular Weird Arby’s Guy and Weird Guy Nearly Falls Into Sinkhole). Seven years later, Onyx now has his own feature film, a supernatural mystery adventure that’s also surprisingly sweet and sincere, despite the character sounding like Dora the Explorer in need of an exorcism.
Senpai, it would seem, has finally noticed him.
Written and directed by Bowser, Onyx The Fortuitous is a genre pastiche, if the genre in question is early-2000s children’s horror (à la The Little Vampire). It follows Onyx at his repetitive fast food job at Marty’s Meat Hut, where he’s frequently bullied — Disney Channel high school-style — by a local jock. Without wasting time, the film paints an effective portrait of Onyx’s mundane suburban life. It starts out as a straightforward story of a frustrated, misunderstood otaku-type shut in with Hot Topic stylings who doesn’t get along with his mom (a fun cameo appearance from horror legend Barbara Crampton), but Onyx’s fortunes change when he’s invited, based on a hilarious self-taped testimonial, to the manor of his celebrity idol: the eyepatch-sporting mystic, Bartok the Great (Jeffrey Combs). Bartok, who feels like a B-movie villain from the era of Satanic Panic, seeks the help of his ambitious magical assistant Farrah (Olivia Taylor Dudley) to lure Onyx and four other enthusiastic occultists from different backgrounds with the promise of performing a sacred ritual. This, Bartok tells them, will resurrect an ancient demon, but the enigmatic cult leader has secret fates in store for the group, and for the world.
Onyx the Fortuitous' charm lies largely in its characterization.Onyx the Fortuitous' charm lies largely in its characterization. Bowser adapts Onyx’s off-key speech patterns for a more layered and dramatic tale than we saw in his comedy shorts (including an origin story for his “I don’t know” tic that proves surprisingly moving). He allows Onyx’s nerdy insecurities to pierce through his lofty orations, and in the process, he juggles the character’s faux gravitas with a sense of childlike confusion. While he may be grating to some viewers, Onyx’s journey of self-discovery is also assisted by a lively supporting cast made up of fellow Bartok followers, who each get plenty of their own screen time. There’s the laid-back, nonbinary Mack (Rivkah Reyes), with whom Onyx forms a tender bond. There’s the elder academic Mr. Duke (Terrence Carson), who acts as a spiritual guide. There’s the brash Jesminder (Melanie Chandra), a tattoo artist who believes she was Bartok’s wife in a past life. And, most interestingly — though unfortunately, least explored — is Shelly (Arden Myrin), a prim-and-proper, middle-aged, middle-American former churchgoer whose reasons for switching over to Satanism become hilariously grim when contrasted with her sunny disposition. Together, the group must sneak through the halls and secret passageways of Bartok’s ornate manor, while gathering clues to figure out what’s really going on.
Bowser’s visual approach is completely unlike his viral videos, with their rough impersonations of local cable news. Instead, he relies on carefully calculated (but brisk and rhythmic) camera pans and push-ins to punctuate his wholesome comedy, which he further enhances with the Christmas-like chimes and strings of Matt Mahaffey’s score. Making Onyx the Fortuitous even more delightful are its practical monster designs, which involve brightly colored ghoul puppets with faces frozen in a variety of silly expressions. The story may be cobbled together from familiar horror-fantasy tropes, but its inherent charm makes the lack of originality easier to accept, as if it were some kind of bizarre internet bedtime story that also harkens back to classic Scooby Doo.
It may not ever move past the joke that is its central character — even when it takes him seriously — but it successfully finds ways to repeat that joke in brand-new permutations that work for those of us who enjoyed it in the first place.
Verdict
A polished film with just enough charm to stay afloat, Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls turns an internet meme into a horror-comedy throwback with delightful practical effects. Part horror mystery, part nerd-to-knight fable, it’s a solid, fun follow-up to several years of viral videos.
The song is filled with catchy hooks and infectious melodies that are sure to get listeners dancing. The lyrics explore the freedom and escape that can be found on the dance floor. Surf Curse's deviant tunes not only captivate listeners but also serve as a form of rebellion. Their music gives a voice to those who feel like outsiders and celebrates the beauty of being different. Through their unique blend of surf rock and punk, Surf Curse continues to push boundaries and create a sound that is all their own..
Reviews for "Surf Curse: Melding Deviant Lyrics with Catchy Tunes"
1. Jane - 2/5 stars - I had high expectations for Surf Curse's album "Deviants Tunes," but I was ultimately disappointed. The songs lacked depth and originality, and it felt like they were just following a formula rather than creating something unique. The lyrics were cliché and lacked substance, making it hard to connect with the music on any meaningful level. Overall, I found "Deviants Tunes" to be forgettable and unmemorable, and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Mark - 3/5 stars - As a fan of Surf Curse's previous work, I was excited to listen to "Deviants Tunes." However, I found this album to be a step down from their previous releases. While the songs had the band's signature sound, they lacked the catchiness and energy that made their earlier music so appealing. The production also felt flat and uninspired, not giving the songs the punch they needed. Though there were a few standout tracks, "Deviants Tunes" as a whole failed to captivate me like their previous albums.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "Deviants Tunes" by Surf Curse falls short compared to their previous releases. The album feels disjointed and lacks a clear direction. The songwriting feels more repetitive and generic, and it's disappointing to see the band lose some of the charm that made them stand out. The overall sound is also muddled, making it hard to fully appreciate the individual elements of the music. While there are a few decent tracks scattered throughout the album, it falls short of the band's potential and left me wanting more.