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Wavves

Wavvves

  • AMG Review of Wavvves

    Amg
    Jason Lymangrover
    All Music Guide

    To set things straight, Wavvves is the second album by Wavves. The word "Wavves" is a multifaceted one, functioning as the name of Nathan Williams' solo project, the title of his debut album, and as one of that first album's best songs. In a continuing convoluted fashion, the cover photos for both albums (Wavves and Wavvves) are merely snapshots of a young skateboarder; no text. The first release (differentiated from the second by the skater kid's positioning, pictured here perched on the edge of a rustic wheelbarrow) was put out by Woodsist in early 2009. It's a slightly lopsided listen, wavering between self-indulgent filler ("Yoked," "Space Raider") and fantastic surf-punk gems buried in a shimmering lo-fi grime ("California Goths," "The Boys Will Love Us," and "Side Yr On"). The follow-up (adorned with the same tubesocked teen, this time truckgrinding on a ramp) has alternate track listings depending on the release date. Various copies were leaked early to the public, including one by De Stijl, and although it fared well on blogs due in no small part to the ultra-catchy "So Bored," the disc's better material was compromised by the lackluster tracks "More Fur" and "Ghost Ramp." Fortunately, this version was discontinued not long after the promo copies were distributed, and afterwards Wavves jumped labels again to Fat Possum, and a newer, more widely available, much improved record was released. All that said, Fat Possum's Wavvves not only beats out all other versions, but everything else leading up to it, including the two 7"s, a cassette, and an EP also concocted in 2009. Solving the initial problem that plagued Williams' earlier work, many of his trademark filler songs of purely noise static are eliminated on this Wavvves, leaving a well-sequenced album of fully realized, killer material. Like Times New Viking and Lovvers (yep, another lo-fi project with dual "v"s), the crude boombox-tape recording style and ever present buzzy fuzz surrounding these songs make them more edgy and endearing in their mangled volcanic state. Williams' careless slacker attitude and D.I.Y. aesthetic shines especially bright. Along with the brilliant slice-of-life pop single "No Hope Kids" and instantly hummable "So Bored," the chirpy hooks and fuzzy clatter of "Beach Demon" and "Gun in the Sun" surge with sunshine-filled boyish nostalgia.

Wavves: Wavvves
8 months ago

The streets of 19th century Whitechapel were shrouded in a thick, unrelenting blanket of cloud. Beneath this veil struck the razor-sharp knife of Jack the Ripper. Sometimes, the police were mere minutes away from his location, yet he always escaped their grasp.

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on repeat: beach point pleasant
about 1 year ago

Thanks to Raven Sings the Blues for assisting in my effort to extend summer for one more day (despite the fact that it gets dark at 5:00 PM now), via the laid back, dubby tropical sounds of New Jersey native Ducktails . According to Visitation Rites , this particular beach jam is "built on a 2-second instrumental loop from Gétatchèwe Kassa 's "Tezeta Slow" (a song featured on an installment.

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experiment 16: so bored
8 months ago

you look like black,backwhen but heretofore—that which wasisand ever shall be;that which wasisand will not be.we are separatefromblack,dust and ash are not ours,wearing our jeans tightour fertile cockswe showofffor the evershall.we only look like black,our recommendations—

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experiment 15: gun in the sun
8 months ago

a singlestem rosefrom the godless California dayswhen we once lit leaves with conic sections,near exact at that.when i look to the futurethis is what i see—a happy hammer spinning its way down—there is no rain,there will be no glossy finishfor that deigns fingerprints.no, the future is matte.

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Wavves: Wavvves
8 months ago

The streets of 19th century Whitechapel were shrouded in a thick, unrelenting blanket of cloud. Beneath this veil struck the razor-sharp knife of Jack the Ripper. Sometimes, the police were mere minutes away from his location, yet he always escaped their grasp.

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Pitchfork Should Take Blame For Wavves Meltdown
5 months ago

Pitchfork's glee in detailing Black Lips singer Jared Swilley's criticism of the Wavves' Nathan Williams was nothing short of breathtaking.In a news story this week Pitchfork details an interview Swilley gives with Norwegian radio station NRK about Williams' recent public breakdown at the Primavera festival in Spain."He needs to go back to school or move back in with his parents and sit down an...

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be good to the earth this season
11 months ago

Paw Tracks has released an extremely limited holiday 7", featuring a brand new song from Reverend Green of the Animal Collective family. "Be Good To the Earth This Season " is built around a warm, crackling, vintage vinyl sample, and showcases a stunning duet from two of the oddest and most compelling voices in existence: Antony and Kria Brekkan . Essential listening for your alt-holiday se...

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zach hill joins wavves
3 months ago

What. What? What! Zach Hill has joined Wavves. Zach Hill has joined Wavves. I’m going to say it one more time because I still don’t really get it…Zach Hill has joined Wavves.Zach Hill of Hella, CHLL PLL, Team Sleep, The Ladies, and countless other marks on the independent music community has joined Wavves full-time which [...]

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New! WAVVES - "Gun In The Sun"
9 months ago

WAVVES must know that hip indie kids like to have their ears abused from time to time. With that in mind, he (22 year old Nathan Williams) crafts wonderful do it yourself skate-pop and filters it through 3 inches of fuzz and adds in a little off key back up vocals. I like your style, WAVVES. WAVVES - Gun In The Sun If this is your first time hearing WAVVES, I suggest "So Bored" as a star...

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New “Mickey Mouse” Wavves Demo, Bummer Wrist
4 months ago

Wavves is a blogger. This is how he knows the way to a blogger’s heart, despite recent complications.Yesterday, Wavve Nathan Williams took to Ghost Ramp (great name dude) to post up some news about surgery for his broken wrist via skateboard accident. As a result, he will be missing a benefit for skate parks at [...]

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Crashing Wavves
6 months ago

Many bands toil for years, chasing a fame that, for most of them, will never come. But what of the bands who achieve instant recognition, without all the years of honing their talents? San Diego’s Wavves is just such a band.After being plucked from obscurity by a “Best New Music” review from the music gods [...]

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Tsunami Alert.....
7 months ago

This was the first set that I have had opportunity to hear this band and I am really liking them. Reminds me of some Nirvana... listened to to the whole set of songs. I especially think they were channeling Curt Cobain in Weed Demon! Cheers!

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I'm really glad that I decided to see Real Estate, Woods and Wavves at Bowery Ballroom last night
4 months ago

All of the people who came to get a laugh at Nathan from Wavves were clearly let down because last night he seemed like a pretty chill, down to earth dude. Played all of this blog hits. The crowd went WILD, stage dives left and right, it was badass. Woods and Real Estate were great as usual. It was my fourth time seeing Woods this summer but they never cease to impress me — check out the video.

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SXSW (Thursday): Flower Love Traveling Band, Wavves, Max Tundra
8 months ago

[03-19-2009] Flower Love Traveling Band With an hour to kill between my next scheduled show, I had the great fortune of stumbling upon Japan's Flower Love Traveling Band at Smokin' Music. I always forget that, along with irritably exuberant pop and soul-crushing noise, Japan is also the world's last bastion for compelling prog-rock. Flower Love Traveling Band constitute all the qualities of gre...

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Download: WAVVES - "So Bored"
11 months ago

If you like hearing the production value of tinfoil a la Alien Lanes and the pure pop glee of Matt & Kim, well, California-based WAVVES is your thing then. "So Bored" is a no-bullshit gem of a track that you...

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Wavves- Wavvves
8 months ago

It took me quite a while to understand what Wavves album was to be released on March 17th. He (Nathan Williams) released his self-titled debut on February 3rd, and he’s already back for number two. If you are a frequent reader of our blog, you probably know of Wavves. I have a warm place in [...]

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