6. Allah-Las - Allah-Las (2012)
The core of 1960s West Coast garage rock is rooted deep in the Allah-Las self-titled debut. It is by no means a mosh-worthy record, but rather reminiscent of droned out summer nights by the setting sun and approved by stoners alike. It falls in the chill-out category of this genre. Fore fronted by LA influenced love songs, the theme of many frustrated, heart struck relationships skate their way down Sunset Boulevard all throughout this debut. Without a doubt, this album was recorded with precision, perfectly calculated and set up for success in the eyes of the Allah-Las. The bittersweet 'Sandy' straps itself into a time capsule back to the sixties, while the springy bass of 'Long Journey' will forever stick to me like glue as the ultimate summer love song. This album is in multi-instrument heaven and highlights the band's capabilities as artists. It doesn't try too hard, and best of all, seamlessly sets a chill atmosphere when played, as it's based on this kind of dream world of surf and leisure 'Catamaran' is so soulful behind maracas, a Hammond organ and the lustful lyrics "You're the pretty little thing that I've gotta have," while almost four minutes of surf-city guitars in 'Catalina' don't seem like enough. Whatever the Allah-Las are working on now, I'm already looking forward to hearing.