Wavves

Wavves: King of the BeachKing of the Beach (2010)
Fat Possum Records

Reviewer Rating: 4.5

User Rating:

Contributed by: conblakeconblake
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on August 3rd 2010Man, Wavves is weird. Here I am, stabbing another blunt into the dust of the ashtray, but I don't think I need one to listen to this whiny, savant-like nutjob. Look, Wavves is kinda brilliant, a singular weirdo who has written two albums that are almost satirical about their own hatefulness and "sun.

Man, Wavves is weird. Here I am, stabbing another blunt into the dust of the ashtray, but I don't think I need one to listen to this whiny, savant-like nutjob. Look, Wavves is kinda brilliant, a singular weirdo who has written two albums that are almost satirical about their own hatefulness and "sunny" disposition. He models himself after Green Day and Cali punk, but until recently wrapped it around a Wall of Trash sound.

His new record, King of the Beach is a classic third album model. His sound is more polished, with even more of a pop-punk sound, and power-pop handclaps show up often, and tambourines too. Jay Reatard's old backing band is on the record and it shows--the drums hit hard and fast, and it sounds less like a bedroom project (the vocals beg to differ, as always) and more like a backing band. This ain't a bad thing--just different, and I suspect that Wavves could get some decent album sales if he sold out properly. This ain't to say, though, that the album isn't weird sounding--his vocals and guitar are still processed through a messed haze of stabbed stereos and the ghosts of Phillip Spector.

The songs are funny, bizarre and more self-loathing this time around. His lyrics are apologetic for his recent douchebaggery, desperate to claim his title as "King of the Beach," and declaring at one point that "My feet are stuck in the ground / And they're never coming out." I don't think a punk rocker has ever said "I'm a plant" like that, although GG Allin said many strange things.

Anyway, Wavves. His new record rules. He's a good guy--one of us, a bit of an indie freak, but just as fucked up and hateful as us leather jacket-wearing weirdos.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

GerardHill (April 30, 2012)

This guy is a little twat and his music is atrocious. He's the Justin Bieber of this chillwave crap. It's kind of embarrassing to see PunkNews taking it seriously

radiohavanna (October 3, 2011)

awesome.. show at webster hall last weekend

radiohavanna (October 3, 2011)

awesome!

johnthemod (July 11, 2011)

"Please re-examine your definition of punk. Dude is not good. All style no substance."

He's making the music he wants and not giving a fuck, and that's what punk is(or at least should be) about.

inagreendase (August 5, 2010)

That girl needs to get a fucking boyfriend

The Wavves dude IS her boyfriend. No shit.

R3vengeTherapy (August 4, 2010)

I like this record. It's pretty good. I don't care about stupid politics like who gave who money for this record to be funded, because it doesn't matter unless I've got fucking commercials between songs or if he purposely censored himself at the request of the people who are putting this out. Who gives a flying fuck?

I laughed at the artwork, probably my favorite this year in terms of humorous ones.

To the guy who said to listen to Best Coast instead: I think their singles were pretty good, but the LP proved what I feared: too much. That girl needs to get a fucking boyfriend, because for the first time in the history of music, someone actually HAVING a significant other might improve the lyrical quality of the songs. Jesus H, after about the 5th song about swooning over a boy, I was ready to quit listening. 32 minutes long and I felt like it was a lot longer.

scorpiondeathlock (August 4, 2010)

alot better than the last album, still not as great as pitchfork would have you believe.

Half_Idiot (August 4, 2010)

http://www.metalsucks.net/2010/07/19/trap-thems-ryan-mckenney-re sponds-to-sacha-dunables-metalsucks-column/

Trap Them's singer talks about the corporate sponsorship/money issue.

slymer (August 4, 2010)

Not really into this. Checkout Best Coast instead.

Blackjaw_ (August 3, 2010)

you're all wrong. music just fuckin' sucks. i hate music.

nocigar (August 3, 2010)

drunkwithshame: i really don't think you guys are talking about the same band, at least i hope not. because you're last statement was absolutely insane...or you don't know pop punk.

drunkwithpower (August 3, 2010)

Throw Pepsi out there all you want, I stand by my statement. A lot bands do stuff like that and take money from large companies, you just never hear about it. This record has tons of energy and enough of an edge to shame any other current pop punk act.

NotPatriotic (August 3, 2010)

"This album rules, this is more punk than most of the stuff that gets jocked on this site."

Yeah!!!! Singing to the Mt. Dew/Pepsi record label is punk as fuck!!!

Please re-examine your definition of punk. Dude is not good. All style no substance.

thepopeofchili-town (August 3, 2010)

AccidentALLY a word. FUCK.

thepopeofchili-town (August 3, 2010)

I accident a word.

thepopeofchili-town (August 3, 2010)

I like kinda stuff once in a while, can't listen to it all the time, but I'll be damned if that isn't some sweet fucking cover art.

conblake (August 3, 2010)

may i just apologize for this review; the sentiments are true, but i wrote it rather badly at 2 am; mea culpa

Spooky (August 3, 2010)

Been listening to this album since it was released earlier in the summer. Hope these guys do more stuff like this in the future. Awesome record..

quickattack (August 3, 2010)

Its better than I thought it would be, but I'm not too into it.

Half_Idiot (August 3, 2010)

I've been listening to this a bunch lately. I never gave a listen before "Post-Acid" but the second I heard that chorus I was hooked. Outside of "Convertible Balloon" this is really great.

alpod4 (August 3, 2010)

best release of the year

nocigar (August 3, 2010)

but now i just checked and saw that you reviewed his other album and basically came off like you're this kids best friend. not to mention implying that he's better than bad religion, which is just fucking ridiculous.

nocigar (August 3, 2010)

i tried listening to a few songs on his myspace, but it just sounded like random noises and people farting into a microphone. maybe i'll give it another shot, but i'm weary.

drunkwithpower (August 3, 2010)

This album rules, this is more punk than most of the stuff that gets jocked on this site.

patod (August 3, 2010)

Jay Reatard was better, RIP

elephantdwarf (August 3, 2010)

Can't polish a turd. Also stating that this is a "good guy" is a joke. Dude's a little douchebag.