NXNE - Wavves

In the span of one year, Wavves went from the blogosphere's favourite upstart no-fi champ to a hated-on punching bag that buckled under all of the pressure that came with being a buzz act. They say time heals all wounds, but even a year out of the limelight and a new album promising change couldn't distract from the fact that Nathan Williams is an obnoxious performer. It also doesn't help Williams's tarnished rep that he now has a permanent band consisting of Jay Reatard's old rhythm section to back stage antics (a running joke about squirrels failed to make even one person laugh). But there was no denying the band thrilled by tearing through a set of new cuts and instilled a punk rock vibe - complete with a senseless mosh pit - that was as true as possible in this day and age.