Album Review: "Roller Fink," by the Surfrajettes (2022)

The album cover for the Surfrajettes' 2022 debut LP, Roller Fink. 

The Surfrajettes. From left to right Shermy Freeman, guitar, Nicole Damoff, guitar, Sarah Butler, bass, and Annie Lillis, drums. 

You would be forgiven if you thought that the Toronto-based quartet known as the Surfrajettes had magically time-traveled here from 1965. With their beehive hairdos, go-go boots, and twanging surf guitars, the Surfrajettes conjure up images of the surf music scene of the swinging 60’s. Similar to the Ventures, the Surfrajettes sound is powered by the intermingling guitar work of Shermy Freeman and Nicole Damoff, who trade off lead guitar duties. Freeman and Damoff do a great job of recreating the guitar sounds and tones of the 1960’s and adding their own style as well.  

The Surfrajettes first became known for their surf-styled cover of Britney Spears’ song “Toxic,” released in 2018. It’s a brilliant and clever mix of the old and new. The Surfrajettes’ first LP Roller Fink, was released in April of 2022 on the Hi-Tide label. Roller Fink is a terrific introduction to the Surfrajettes’ signature sound. A mixture of covers and catchy originals, the album demonstrates the superb interplay amongst the group.  

The whole Roller Fink album is great, but some highlights include the originals “Warm Up,” “Couch Surfing,” “Slush Puppy,” and “Roller Fink.” There are also some great cover choices, including the Canadian glam rock classic “Roxy Roller,” the Beatles’ “She Loves You,” and the Blondie disco tune “Heart of Glass.” The Surfrajettes’ music is fun, upbeat, catchy, and melodic. Bass guitar is aptly handled by Sarah Butler, although on their current tour Sara Eve is filling in. Dani Nash played the drums on the Roller Fink album, but Annie Lillis has since taken over the drum set and is rocking it on the current autumn tour.  

If you like rock and roll instrumentals, surf music, and great guitar work, you need to check out the Surfrajettes. Head over to their website, they may be coming to a town near you.