Alvvays
Alvvays (pronounced “Always”) and Wolf Alice are similar bands; both fronted by female vocalists and both employ contrasting dreamy and noisy sounds, often in the same song. They also both came on the scene in the early 2010s and have two albums (looks like Wolf Alice just released their third). There are some differences, but if you like one, you’ll probably like the other.
Alvvays hails from the far eastern lands of Canada (Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton Island) and are now based in Toronto. Another band already called themselves “Always;” thus the intentional misspelling of the name. They are fronted by Molly Rankin on lead vocals and guitar. Their self-titled debut in 2014 topped the US college charts.
Antisocialites was released in 2017 and won the Juno Award (Best-of Canada) for Alternative Album of the Year. The first song, “In Undertow” is a perfect example of the band; dreamy vocals with the swirly, shoegaze-y guitar. “Dreams Tonite” is just that in a mellow synth-y pop shout-out. “Plimsoul Punks” even has a surf vibe. As a sign of the musical contrast, “Your Type” and “Hey” are roaring rockers. Overall, they’re a little more indie-pop than next band. Check ’em out.
D² Rating ◼◼◼◩☐
Wolf Alice
Wolf Alice is a little more grunge and also a little more folk. Huh? Yeah, an unusual combo that goes back to the band’s start as a folk duo. Ellie Roswell (lead vocals, guitar,) and Joff Oddie started the band in 2010 and added bass, drums, and keys musicians in 2012. They produced four early EPs before releasing their first full-length, My Love is Cool in 2015. It received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance. “Freazy” is smooth and catchy, “Bros” a perfect form of shoegaze pop, while “Giant Peach” and “Fluffy” start off sweet and end in raging rock.
Visions of a Life, released in 2017, was a well-received follow-up, including a Mercury Prize (Best-of England Award). The record continues their folk-grunge mixture with the opening track, “Heavenward” and “Planet Hunter” being stellar examples. “St. Purple & Green” and “After the Zero Hour” are pretty acoustic numbers, reminiscent of The Sundays, while “Yuk Foo” is a flat-out punk screamer.
Visions of a Life is a good record, but it doesn’t seem to build off and progress from the first album. It’s similar to My Love is Cool, but doesn’t seem quite sure of where it’s going. Good timing for a new album. I’ll be curious to see in what direction Blue Weekend takes the band on its journey of discovery.
D² Rating (My Love is Cool) ◼◼◼◼☐
D² Rating (Visions of a Life) ◼◼◼☐☐
Trivia ? – In 2016, as part of the My Love is Cool tour, filmmaker Michael Winterbottom inserted two actors into the road crew and directed a fictional love story (On the Road) from gig to gig. What other rock movie did Winterbottom make which highlighted the Factory Records Manchester scene, especially New Order and Joy Division?
Answer: 24 Hour Party People