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King of the Beach
by
King of the Beach Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 45 Ratings

  • Summary: Recorded in world-renowned Sweet Tea studios, the experimental musical project started by San Diego-based Nathan Williams leaves laptop production and fuses fuzzy garage-rock with psychedelic pop for the new album.
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Top Track

Baby Say Goodbye
I hear her voice in the morning shower See her waiting from the water tower See her falling through the fog in the mirror See her waving from a... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Paste Magazine
    91
    The album is saturated with high poly-harmonies, finger-snaps and hand claps, but the Charles Atlas-invoking title communicates Wavves' real agenda--"nyah-nyah" pop sucker-punches, sunny smiles so forced they come off as sneers, intense self-deprecation as psychic body armor.
  2. Billboard.com
    88
    The result is a 12-song collection of washed-out summer tunes perfect for beach outings and late-night house parties.
  3. Rock Sound
    80
    Featuring two members of the late great Jay Reatard's band--the towering garage rawk that defined his sound is tangible with Wavves too but here left to bathe in the sun and taken for a quick dip in the ocean.
  4. Rolling Stone
    70
    On the third Wavves full-length, a one-man bedroom experiment blossoms into a real band, with Jay Reatard's feisty backing duo and Modest Mouse's producer beefing up low-fi strumming, smiling melodies and zonked studio whimsy.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    One knock-on effect of going professional is that you can now hear the music clearly and properly, and it turns out that Mr. Williams isn't exactly a Mozart in the songwriting stakes.
  6. PopMatters
    60
    Perhaps another period spent in oblivion is just what Williams needs to figure out his next move, or rather, his next image.
  7. Austin Chronicle
    Dec 20, 2010
    40
    It's half-baked as well, never distinguishing itself from other rock & roll throwbacks.

See all 30 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Spooky787
    Oct 26, 2010
    10
    Simply put: This is a great album. Loved the mix of indie punk and psychedelic influences along with songs about boredom, smoking weed andSimply put: This is a great album. Loved the mix of indie punk and psychedelic influences along with songs about boredom, smoking weed and betrayal. I'm sick I missed these guys at SXSW earlier this year. Loved the snarling "Post-Acid", "Green Eyes" and the hilariously vengeful "Idiot" in particular but they all stand out really.

    I still find myself listening to this album all the time. Nathan Williams' snotty, venom drenched lyrics coupled with occasional dream-like melodies set the bar for these guys, but I'm sure they'll easily surpass it.    … Collapse
  2. flashdelerium
    Jan 29, 2013
    10
    This is one of my favorite albums of all time. There isn't a lot of music like this, and that's why I love it. Wavves nearly perfected thisThis is one of my favorite albums of all time. There isn't a lot of music like this, and that's why I love it. Wavves nearly perfected this albums, with its different sounds and feelings. Indie meets punk meets surf rock meets lo-fi. My favorite tracks are "green eyes," "Linus Spacehead," and "take on the world." 2 thumbs up from me… Expand
  4. carrsean
    Oct 9, 2019
    9
    Wavves' artistic peak as of 2019, no question. The songwriting does well to compliment some stellar hooks and subtle experimentation resultsWavves' artistic peak as of 2019, no question. The songwriting does well to compliment some stellar hooks and subtle experimentation results in King of the Beach as Wavves' least one dimensional effort. By the end, Williams may have beaten the themes of self-deprecation and unhappiness down to a pulp, but the sequencing of the album never makes it feel overbearing or monotonous. Barn-burners like the title track, "Post Acid", and "Super Soaker" are kept primarily in the first half, while more easy going tracks with more depth fill up the second half. "Take On The World" marks the most meta moment in the Wavves' canon, while "Mickey Mouse" sees a surprising moment of Animal Collective influence, circa Strawberry Jam. The moment isn't distracting as Williams' choice of melody and the instrumentation make for one of the more joyous moments on the records. "Green Eyes" is another highlight, as it's the closest Wavves has come to a love song while also without sacrificing what defines them in the first place. In a tight 36 minutes, Wavves craft the definite summer punk album. While the concept is loose and doesn't amount much to anything, each song radiates a warmth through its colorful production and energized performances. Definitely one of the better punk releases of the millennium, if not the decade.… Expand
  5. ScotchRobbins
    Dec 3, 2015
    8
    It's not perfect, but it's some of the best surf punk released in recent years. It's fuzzy, it's fast, it's loud, it's careless, and it's fun.It's not perfect, but it's some of the best surf punk released in recent years. It's fuzzy, it's fast, it's loud, it's careless, and it's fun. For a sloppy two-man band, Wavves has their act together to an impressive degree.… Expand
  6. wololooo
    Mar 12, 2012
    7
    Simply put, this is a fun listen. The summery surf punk vibes, heart on your sleeve lyrics and catchy hooks add up to make a simple,Simply put, this is a fun listen. The summery surf punk vibes, heart on your sleeve lyrics and catchy hooks add up to make a simple, good-natured album but lacks the depth of a great release.… Expand
  7. zzirGrif
    Sep 1, 2013
    7
    Bit of a throw-away album, not exactly disposable but only a few riffs and hooks stick in the mind. Incredibly fun and confident but Wavves'Bit of a throw-away album, not exactly disposable but only a few riffs and hooks stick in the mind. Incredibly fun and confident but Wavves' potential has not been maxed out yet.… Expand

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