Album Review... Wavves - Afraid Of Heights

Two years since the San Diego surf rock group's last record, self-released EP Life Sux, Afraid Of Heights bears no comparison to the early raucous recordings of vocalist Nathan Williams. It seems no surprise that 2009's Wavvves and King Of The Beach in 2010 bore such an accumulation of gritty tumultuous fracas as Williams was busy living up the reputation as a bleary-eyed surf hero. After a gruelling public meltdown during the band's set at Primavera Sound, Barcelona, in 2009, which involved an onslaught of shoe and bottle missiles as well as drummer Ryan Ulsh decorating Williams in a full glass of beer, it looked as if the front-man was heading for the murky depths of alcohol and drug induced aloneness. A few grimy instances can't be held against Williams though, as Life Sux managed to boast a collaboration with Best Coast and an inevitably audacious number with Toronto punk band Fucked Up.

Afraid Of Heights boasts a cleaner production and gloriously richer sounds but still hangs on to traces of classic Wavves' rough-cut grungy vibes, a reminder that Williams isn't a fully converted sweetheart just yet. A deceivingly serene introduction to opening track Sail To The Sun is soon invaded by familiar driving guitars which give way to a hopelessly upbeat number. Lyrically, Williams is still in a vacuum of weed smoking and not caring about much yet hating a lot, including himself. "First we gotta get high" is an obvious starting point.

The Californian boys have enriched their lo-fi, couldn't care less sound into an ambitious entourage of organised instrumentation; Williams gives off an attitude of Alex Turner tinged smoothness whilst still attaining his scabrous edge.

Wavves can easily be compared to FIDLAR or Metz or another one of those surf-rock groups, what with all the grungy guitar uproar and talk of getting wasted on "cheap beer" amongst other risqué shenanigans, but Wavves succeed in bringing the merriness down a notch. Lunge Forward oozes oppressive angst, Lyrics such as, "I hope he kills us all" hang out of place amongst the infectious high tempo 4/4 beat. As if to disorientate any Morrissey craving listeners, Dog suggests traces of The Drums' trademark slurring percussion alongside melodic vibraphone phrases, evoking a refreshing break from the resident ear-bashing guitar brawl.

Williams begins to show his tender side throughout the album, if only slightly. A minimalistic acoustic guitar and chipper whistling introduces Cop, the most simplistic track of the record but one which stands out as reaching the heights of being an uplifting song. Combine the whistling and the hints of a somewhat distorted love song and once again, The Drums join the party.

Although it may feel like Wavves have dropped their low fidelity, deranged surf-grunge for a systematically produced sound, it's welcoming to see Williams performing listenable and catchy numbers instead of volatile outbursts. Managing to make bleak clamours captivating, Williams has made his comeback strong as youthful grunge rock is all the rage.

Written by - Emma Storey

Wavves - Afraid Of Heights
Out of 10: 8/10

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Gig Review... Great Lake Swimmers @ Night and Day Cafe, Manchester, 30th November 2012

Formed in 2003 this Ontario born band have made 5 studio albums, most recently New Wild Everywhere, released on April 3rd 2012 on Nettwerk. Named after the celebrated feat in Canada, the group honour Marilyn Bell, who in 1954, became the first person ever to swim the length of Lake Ontario. Following the release of their spring album, the Great Lake Swimmers are playing shows in the UK, Belgium, Germany and Spain until they return to their homeland.

Decorated with art clad walls and a rustic decor, the Night and Day cafe is sweetly alluring. Eclectic ornaments lay scattered whilst an equally diverse crowd surround the bar. The audience seem somewhat timid as the folk-rock group emerge, creating an awkward void in front of the stage but as opening track Think That You Might Be Wrong emerges, feet begin to move.

"We're proud to be back in Manchester" declares front man Tony Dekker as Put There By The Land begins to hum. The group begin with soothing ballads as if drawing the crown in with violinist Miranda Mulholland offering appeasing harmonies to Dekker's soulful tones. Halfway through the set, the band exit the stage leaving Dekker and a guitar. A lonesome solo performance almost passes as a middle eight to the whole show until, one by one, each member returns to their instrument, building an empty On The Water up to a rich climax. Slight glares between Dekker and guitarist Erik Arnesen indicate disorderly instrumentation levels but despite this, Dekker calmly prompts adjustments and swiftly moves on.

Your Rocky Spine allows Arnesen to show off his banjo playing skills whilst Mulholland continues to play spiralling violin melodies. This group have a knack of making everything they do seem effortless and this is further demonstrated by percussionist Greg Millson, and his many drumsticks, providing hi-hat sibilance alongside discrete bass drum thuds. As to not showcase their charms any more, Mulholland begins to play her violin as if it were a guitar, resulting in pizzicato strings which sound deceivingly like a piano. Adding small doses of personality and humour make the Great Lake Swimmers performance very successful as they glide through a set 17 tracks strong.

The last number of this composed show is River's Edge complete with Mulholland and Arnesen sharing a microphone to deliver doleful hums; a hugely intimate ending which almost brings the crowd to complete silence. Until "We want more!", bawled by a drunken genius brings the solidarity crashing down. Leaving no more than a minute after escaping backstage, Dekker returns for an encore, one which takes places directly in the middle of the audience. Looking obscure at first as Bret Higgins squeezes through with his double bass, it turns out to be a rare moment of closeness for the audience and the band, a spellbinding note on which to end this triumphant show.

The Great Lake Swimmers sound far better live than on their albums as their depth and intricate musical detail is conveyed in a more raw and poignant manner, one in which the audience become captivated in. Full of charisma and deep levels of thoughtfulness, the group master this live performance.

Written by - Emma Storey

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