Space Wolves - V Cassette

 

More Power Tapes (2015)

This is the last of the More Power Tapes releases that were sent to me and I saved the best for last.  I've reviewed prior albums from Space Wolves on this website and if you've read those, you probably already know that I really dig these guys. Their fifth album V is no exception.

I really wish someone was putting these Space Wolves records out on vinyl.  I'd certainly buy a copy.  Heck, put them out on CD and I'd pick one up. Sadly all five Space Wolves records are confined to cassette tape hell, but that shouldn't dissuade you from giving these guys a shot.

Jangly, treble heavy guitar can be one of my favorite sounds in the world. It can be used in so many ways from the power pop of folks like Gentleman Jesse to the slower groove of a band like Silver Scooter.  Space Wolves actually sit very nicely in the middle of those two bands, calling on each side of the spectrum throughout this record. You've got some uptempo fast and catchy burners and then there are a fewer that slow things down and take a more melodic approach.  The band is equally successful at both.

I only have two negatives on this album.  One isn't even really a negative as I think this tape is a little too short and I wish there was more to listen to.  So that's more me being selfish than the band doing anything wrong.  The other one is more of just a pet peeve of mine as there are quite a few songs that end with the song fading out.  I couldn't tell you why that bugs me, but it's just one of those things that I don't like.  Still, these criticisms are very minor and I really dig this as a whole.  Keep it up guys.

Space Wolves - V:
https://morepowertapes.bandcamp.com/album/space-wolves-v

Wavves - V LP - Purple Vinyl

Mom + Pop (2015)

V is the newest album from Wavves, though it's only the III one of theirs that I've picked up.  I've been paying attention since 2010's King Of The Beach.  Since then, Wavves has been a pretty reliable band for me.  While I don't think they've ever released a slam dunk classic of an album, they have a respectable catalog of songs and it's always a good time when I break out one of their records.

V starts off the way it seems that most Wavves albums start, with the very best song right up front.  "Heavy Metal Detox" is everything you'd look for in a Wavves song.  Upbeat, tight chorus, wacky lead riff thing...you could go so far as to say it's quintessential Wavves.  The rest of the album follows suit.  I would rank this ahead of 2013's Afraid Of Heights album, but it doesn't quite reach the level of King Of The Beach.

Chances are that if you are playing catchy, punk pop with big guitars and bigger choruses I'm going to like your record.  Maybe Wavves haven't knocked me on my ass with the perfect song, but there's something to be said for putting out three extremely solid records that are fun to listen to.  That's a formula that will get me to pick up the next record every time.

Wavves - "Heavy Metal Detox":

https://soundcloud.com/wavveswavves/wavves-heavy-metal-detox