Alvvays

Alvvays
2010's - present
alternative / indie
first song that reeled me in: "Archie, Marry Me" Avvays, 2014



First of all, allow me to address: the spelling of this band - and all bands alike - drives me absolutely bonkers. Do you not want us to find your music at the record store? Are you just really hanging on the prayer that the employee we ask will be familiar enough with your work that they will be able to recall the special little way you spell your name? Assuming we will even be in a socially brave enough state to ask in the first place, that is. 

Anyway. 
I wasn't going to cover this band, as the first song that reeled me in had quickly become a massive source of irritation to me. (I simply heard it too many times - just marry that woman, already, Archie!) However: one shift at work, a co-worker was playing an album that caught me by the ear. It was by Alvvays. Haven't the foggiest which album, but the point is: here we are! So, without further ado, I give you Alvvays. 

Alvvays / Self- Titled (2014)

"Adult Diversion" starts us out with a strong echo of all the delicious surf rock of California's past. (Think: The Drums, sans sense of humor. The less dreamy version of The Beach Boys with a little heavier bassline and... well, drum.) This track: I'm on a bicycle - already clearly a fantasy, as I do not know how to ride a bike - sailing through a seaside tourist trap on a perfectly sunny day. I'm floating, but still grounded enough for comfort and ease. Past the people in nautical stripes and white boat shoes. Band tees and beat up sneaks. Past the docks. The smell of fried food pulling me in. Just a gorgeous day. 

Now that I've waxed poetic about track number one (holy Moses), let's get into the rest of the album. The next track, of course, being "Archie, Marry Me" (which I will happily skip over for the time being and simply explain that the vibe of this tracks very much matches that of the previous). I would say the rest of this self-titled collection is very in tune with the initial sound. There are dreamier tracks later, while still keeping the intrigue with enough upbeat, fun, bouncy tracks. All of them having a kind of general ease about them. Nothing show-stopping, for the most part, but still lovely.

Antisocialites (2017)
This second album starts out a little further from that original surf rock feel and a little closer to the alternative, dreamy feel of Pale Honey (remember them? See previous post). By the second track, there's more a smooth, disco beat (think late 70's / early 80's crossover disco). By the fourth, we've got almost a sock-hop influence, with the following track ("Not My Baby") giving a very cool, contemporary indie pop response. "Hey" brings in Devo-like sounds to its intro with fun vocals reminiscent of other fun 80's one-hit wonders. Nena's "99 Red Balloons" comes to mind. By the end of the album, it seems as if we've left no decade undone. The last track ("Forget About Life") brings us very much to a modern conclusion. What a fun and unique album! It certainly kept me on my toes. 

Blue Rev (2022)
"Pharmacist", Blue Rev's first track, gives such a muddied / unclear guitar mess that - when mixed with the laissez-faire, airy female vocals - upon hearing it, I nearly felt ill. There is a way to make a mess and a way to make sick. My deepest apologies, Alvvays, but it simply isn't for me. For the remaining tracks: the majority of the surf rock influence has evaporated. We are older now, and we no longer ride ours bikes past the docks. We walk in trendy, uncomfortable shoes. Possibly to try and prove something. There's nothing wrong with development / growth. In fact, I think it is very necessary. It just so happens that I find this evolution of this particular band to be a bit lackluster. It's fine, mostly. 

In fact the track "After the Earthquake" reels me in with a The Cure-style guitar rift in the intro. Bring in the lead vocals and you've got some kind of cool, late 80's / early 90's Cranberries / Natalie Merchant-esque happy track to put over a cool city scape. With "Pressed" bursting through the door in similar fashion, this time with an edge of The Smiths. Aside from the first couple of tracks on this album, I would honestly be most likely to listen to this, out of all 3 albums. Especially on a hands-free road trip situation. (Just skip the first one or two and you're golden.)

In conclusion: the second album is exciting, but as a cohesive body of work; ultimately fails. I don't think I would replay that one. As I said: the third would make a great buddy on a road trip. And the first is something I could easily see myself playing on one of those nights at home when I need to force myself to chill out and relax. Perhaps post-yoga. Once I've gotten my journal out.