The Surfaris' second album was a major improvement over their first. Following Dot Record's release of Wipe Out! without the band's consent, the group switched to Decca Records for their first real album.  While the Dot release only featured the band on two of the tracks, with the remaining ten being phoned-in by some Challengers outtakes, ‘Play’ shows the Surfaris were more than simply a throw-away act. 

 

Not only the album possesses two bonafide surf hits; 'Wipe Out and 'Surfer Joe,' but it also contains some great lesser-known tracks that have since become classics of the genre. 'Waikiki Run' is a remarkable album opener and one of the best surf instrumentals of 1963. 'Point Panic' has also become a staple of the genre. The 1949 Peggy Lee tune 'Similau' gets a dynamic makeover while two other Surfaris originals - 'Surfaris Stomp' and 'Surf Scene' are good fun if not slightly forgettable. Of course, as with many releases of the period, there is a fair share of covers and filler, such as Dick Dale's 'Miserlou' and the Coaster's 'I'm A Hog for You.' Both 'Jack the Ripper' and 'Bat Man' are of lesser interest than the other tracks, though they do demonstrate the band's aptitude at interpreting other material in their own style.

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The Surfaris Play is a solid surf album and a high point in the band's career.