In Plain View
Surf legend Tom Curren was a pro by age 17 in 1981, and went on to win a record 33 championship events. Turns out the longtime drummer and guitarist can navigate a studio as well as a wave. His first full-length is steeped in the Laurel Canyon vibes of home-state heroes like the Eagles and Jackson Browne, with Curren flashing a rich tenor and fluid guitar leads on the feel-good anthem “Unconditional.” But it’s not all peaceful-easy feelings: A famous recluse, Curren grapples with a ravaged relationship on “Feel” and, on the slow-building standout “Moon,” derides “the new generation, watching movies on a phone.” Considering his own badass youth, can you blame him?