Alvvays
2017 Album
Who ran from Roman candles
Underneath a willow weeping?
Do the tea lights on your mantel
Illuminate that summer feeling?
You’re the seashell in my sandal
That’s slicing up my heel
You’re a plimsoll punk
You’re a plimsoll punk
When the sophomore effort from Alvvays (pronounced “Always”) Antisocialites came out in 2017 the anticipation was tremendous. They’d set a high bar with their self-titled album three years earlier and the critics and the fans were anxious to hear the next entry in their canon. At the final tally I believe this album will consistently be mentioned among their strongest efforts. I expect much from this group and I’m not alone in that sentiment.
These are simple pop tunes, masterfully arranged and delivered. It has an almost dreamy quality to it. There are plenty of echoes and reverb and just when you think Molly Rankin’s voice is about to take you too far into a land of bubble gum pop, they will kick in some crunchy guitars played with an off-kilter uneasiness and you remember you are listening to a band loaded with depth, skill and confidence.
Everything sounds so perfectly put together, fresh and engaging that it’s easy to see why they have been a critical darling since they burst on the scene. This band has a knack of taking the listener to a place in a song and then the direction gets switched and you are heading somewhere else entirely. I hear touches of Soundtrack of our Lives, Psychedelic Furs, Elvis Costello, Blondie and of course Teenage Fanclub.
“Plimsoll Punks” is one of those songs that isn’t necessarily in heavy rotation on my playlists, but when I do hear it, I’m floored with how great it is. At about the 2 min mark Rankin’s voice and inflection is simply exquisite.
Additional stand out tracks include “In Undertow,” “Your Type,” “Not My Baby” and “Hey.” The album closes with the most excellent “Forget about Life.” There only 10 songs on this disc and at just 32:30 minutes it blisters past your ears. Listen to it again and then repeat. You may end up finding your new favorite band and there is certainly nothing wrong with that.
