The songs on The Emergent Sea have a definite California vibe. There's no denying the summer sunshine that illuminates cuts like the title track and Poseidon." There's an underlying theme of water that carries like waves throughout the record. Furthermore, a number of tunes sound like beach property. Ocean Sunset" is as photogenic as it reads with Rhodes' dreamy voice narrating the story in a silky smooth fashion that recalls the Zombies. She Sells Seashells" also floats effortlessly with the gentle caress of Rhodes' singing. To call these songs pretty would be an understatement; they are absolutely gorgeous.
The soaring flute and bouncy backbeat of the title cut offers a sneak preview of the uplifting sentiments contained within. In a sense, the Pagans are the real The Beach Boys because their songs truly capture the cleansing escapism provided by the surf. In a world enveloped by negativity and anger, the Pagans remind us of the beauty around us. The band is having fun, and when the stomping Grandma's Telecaster (The Good Old Days)" comes on, there's no way to resist them.