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9.0
14209
9.0 |
No Ripcord
A dramatic step forward in Williams' abilities as a songwriter
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9.0
14554
9.0 |
The Line Of Best Fit
King Of The Beach is nothing short of a masterpiece for Wavves
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8.4
14181
8.4 |
Pitchfork
Some may see King of the Beach as a story of redemption or even an argument that a public shaming might do good for some of these younger bands. Either way, it's a fantastic record
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8.0
14285
8.0 |
Spin
King of the Beach's specialty is Warped Tour–ready choruses, charred with noise and peppered with lyrics from a self-hating surfer teen who sees sunburn as spiritual penance for being a burnout.
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8.0
14560
8.0 |
State
On the more Beach Boys-influenced end of things are breezy tracks like ‘When Will You Come?’ that put Williams’ falsetto vocals at center-stage, with bells and tambourine taps
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8.0
14593
8.0 |
FasterLouder
I urge those who gave up on this kid to give him another chance, and I doubt they will regret it
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8.0
14764
8.0 |
FasterLouder
Now backed with a full band and producing records in a studio instead of his parents’ house, the sound is more developed and mature
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8.0
14817
8.0 |
musicOMH
If the career plan was to go to the lowest of lows before releasing an album of resurrection and real substance, he ought to be applauded for conducting the whole stunt to perfection
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8.0
14857
8.0 |
Mojo
Refreshing as a sherbet soda on the hottest day of the year. Print edition only
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8.0
14887
8.0 |
Drowned In Sound
A collection of gleaming pop gems, laced with self-hatred and a keen sense of rebellion
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8.0
14532
8.0 |
Eye Weekly
On King of the Beach, Wavves are reborn as a bratty Beach Boys,
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8.0
15026
8.0 |
The Irish Times
Williams’s good-times buzz is infectious. The San Diego guy is putting his songs rather than his antics centre-stage. It’s a smart move
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8.0
15033
8.0 |
The Fly
Wavves have evolved and taken advantage of having a recording budget of more than 50p. ‘King Of The Beach’ should, finally, more than justify the whirlwinds of hype
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8.0
15106
8.0 |
BBC
King of the Beach offers a fascinating insight into the slightly skew-whiff mind of this talented young artist, now well on the way to mastering what could turn out to be an incredibly inventive career
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8.0
15141
8.0 |
Daily Telegraph
Trashy, off-centre, surf-tinged noisy pop
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8.0
15187
8.0 |
Consequence Of Sound
King of the Beach tells the story of a band coming together and honing their sound
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7.5
14419
7.5 |
Prefix
Williams remains as skilled as ever at taking a cheap hook and spinning it into something that’ll stick in your brain for days, cordoned off by whiplash guitar lines and knee-slapping drum breaks
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7.4
14180
7.4 |
Beats Per Minute
An impressive album. Although it is fun to listen to for its catchy summery vibes, it contains the youthful edginess of a modern Beach Boys gone punk
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7.0
15060
7.0 |
The Observer
A more polished, coherent Wavves, swapping lo-fi haze for skater-punk powerchords and enough gleefully catchy moments to justify all the bratty behaviour
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6.0
15019
6.0 |
The Guardian
Pick any three tracks at a time and it's great fun; listen to all 12 in a row and the fuzzed guitars, falsetto wooh-woohs and the slight air of an extended prank start to feel trying
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6.0
14689
6.0 |
PopMatters
The album not only remains securely in the “scene” with its love affair for old-school recording and Brian Wilson, but its visceral freneticism seems to anticipate the second wave of grunge, if and when it come
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6.0
14942
6.0 |
NME
The overall vibe of ‘King Of The Beach’ really is like it’s the story of a young man coming to terms with the pointlessness of his own existence
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6.0
15004
6.0 |
Uncut
Print edition only
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6.0
14878
6.0 |
Q
All in all, its an arresting mix. Print edition only
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5.0
15015
5.0 |
The Quietus
It's not an awful album, and a couple of moments – the pricks of actual pain felt on 'Take On The World' and the catchy in spite of itself ‘Green Eyes' – almost make you think Williams could have a career worth saving
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5.0
14182
5.0 |
Tiny Mix Tapes
It's flashy and initially warm like a new piece o' strange, but as you get to know it, the cracks in the foundation begin to show
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5.0
15100
5.0 |
Bowlegs
There are echoes of the Jesus and Mary Chain and, at points, The Flaming Lips on this album but the quality of the song writing is adolescent, not regal
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4.0
15056
4.0 |
Independent on Sunday
They have the nerve to sample "Da Doo Ron Ron", for which they should drowwn
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