This album is amazingly satisfying throughout. At first it may not seem like much of an achievement, but if ultra melodic moderately fresh social commentary was easy more people would be doing it.
WAVVES-WAVVES 8/10
I didn't buy in when GvsB started hyping him last October, but when I heard what sounded like a very damaged Arcade Fire at a tea house last Thursday I was intrigued. I don’t know if it was the “Bonus Track” that did it or all the bros, but I totally drank the Kool-Aid. Midway through my second listen I was convinced this album would mainstream noise, however now I think that that assessment was tinged by Friday morning euphoria. The cuts I find to be the most enjoyable get put on the playlist but in WAVVES case those two are also the most accessible.
M. Ward-Hold Time 7/10
Even though I can’t get enough of “She & Him” I was planning on playing hard to get when it came to his latest solo release. My indifference barely lasted forty-five seconds into track two before it was vaporized, and once Ward started in about Paul on “Epistemology” I was completely won over.
A.C. Newman-Get Guilty 7/10
This album sounds exactly 2004's “The Slow Wonder” and that is just super. I relished soaking up all the hipster angst on the frighteningly awesome “Challengers” and this album is another more than solid entry in his already teeming catalogue.
I listened to these other albums more than once, but nothing happened: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Loney Dear- Dear John, Handsome Furs - Face Control, Iran-Dissolver, Antony & The Johnsons-The Crying Light, Telepathe-Dance Mother.
