Tuesday 9.21
Wavves @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
66 N. Sixth St. 718-486-5400. $15. 8:30 p.m.
with Christmas Island and The Babies
Wavves – Post Acid [audio:PostAcid.mp3]
Last year, Wavves frontman Nathan Williams was involved in so many bizarre public squabbles and breakdowns, it seemed like he was becoming the Courtney Love of the Pitchfork set—a comparison made all the more appropriate by his romance with fellow scenester-songwriter Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast, as the pair were sometimes likened to a post-millenial indie-rock Kurt and Courtney. And like La Love, Williams could have released one great record (last year’s self-titled debut) and gone down in flames. But somewhere, somehow, he was saved—by all reports, Cosentino was a more steadying influence than Kurt was on Courtney (and vice versa)—and his new album, this year’s King of the Beach, trumps both its predecessor and the band’s many detractors. A glorious, fuzzed-out, super-catchy collection of indie anthems, King feels like a triumph for its writer, but it’s also just an excellent record that rewards repeated listens. And Best Coast is in town next week, so maybe Ms. Cosentino will make an appearance during Wavves set, further expanding the SoCal power couple’s profile and unfolding narrative.
