Wavves - Afraid of Heights ALBUM REVIEW

Listen: / afraid-of-heights
\m/ NIRVANA \m/
What did you think of this album? Love it? Hate it? Why? What should I review next, eh?
theneedledrop.com
/ theneedledrop
/ theneedledrop
theneedledrop.c...
theneedledrop.c...
theneedledrop.c...
FAV TRACKS: AFRAID OF HEIGHTS, DEMON TO LEAN ON, GIMMIE A KNIFE
LEAST FAV TRACK: COP
WAVVES - AFRAID OF HEIGHTS / 2013 / MOM + POP / POP PUNK, GARAGE ROCK, ALTERNATIVE ROCK, GRUNGE
6/10
Y'all know this is just my opinion, right?

[@throckmorton9321]

Nathan's lyrics aren't profound, but that's not why I listen to Wavves. They're just a fun-ass band to listen to and see live. I love their style.

[@matthewwolfe9852]

I thought it was hella deep. I relate to almost every song. I cant even listen to it to often because it just makes me wallow in a deep depression. That being said its a good outlet album. When i need it.

[@BilsonBoi]

Agreed

[@kouldood]

You basically just roasted Nate for nearly the whole video

[@Ponyo77777]

and it was gr8

[@myselfme7945]

More being depressed More heavy drums More punchy guitar riffs And influenced by Nirvana THIS is what I want my music to be like DAMN thank u wavves

[@GOTAGaming]

I LOVE this album, i think its fantastic

[@theneedledrop]

glad you're digging the wavves. you should give a listen to nathan's last album.

[@jonathanreilly1000]

Only a 6!? This album is brilliant and I cannot understand how you think the songs aren't catchy, demon to lean on, sail to the sun, 9 is god, these are the catchiest songs I've heard all year!

[@beebee404]

Nine is God wasn't on this album

[@jessechuff]

***** But the album is, technically, very well made. Much better than Top 40, in my opinion.

[@glockinspielferdinand213]

You know this is his opinion RIGHT? I for one like this album. A lot. Its no king of the beach though.

[@degrassi420]

The title track is super catchy too

[@flowerboiandy205]

notbenny its on the vinyl its the last track after just silence

[@gagehigdon8764]

I think this was a well thought out, fair review. Although, like Nathan's lyrics, the emotions and feelings were not well conveyed by theneedledrop. The lack of vocal range and repetitive use of repetitive effects possibly convey his insecurity as a youtube personality. If he believed his review was well produced, maybe he wouldn't do all the rediculous attempts at being funny. theneedledrop's belittlement of Nathan's problems possibly convey a problem theneedledrop has, yet refuses to acknowledge it. I have seen quite a few of this guy's videos and have concluded that they are very similar in fashion (or lack thereof). All in all, I would rate this a heavy five, or possibly a light six.

[@thecpalumbo]

Gage Higdon lmao

[@ThedudeMWsM]

This album is good. I though the "Life Sux" ep was a HUGE step in the right direction. AOF is definitely a sign of things to come from them. Seriously came to grips with growing up more while recording this album. AND it was heavily influenced by Weezers Blue Album

[@sludgerat666]

andrew thompson It's for certian people. And I love it

[@sludgerat666]

and I love weezer

[@thelonelybunch5201]

Get more pinkerton vibes from afraid of heights

[@hawraahmad8623]

I think that this album was beautiful as I also feel about Wavves in general. I think I can relate to Wavves in a very deep sense this album was melancholy and had a lot of distortion in the songs I appreciate the lyrics that Nathan puts out I think they do have a lot of meaning that he is not getting credit for. Songs like Dog short and simple but a lot of meaning I found behind similar with songs like demon to lean on, everything is my fault and paranoid. Nathan shows a lot of great raw emotion that moves me when I'm listening to him sing and brings me with lots of feelings the way I think music should.

[@campcircadia5079]

I LOVE WAVVESSSSS

[@mariodelbarrio32k]

I love this album, but I went into it without really hearing Wavves' earlier records so I couldn't make any comparisons. I had only heard the song Green Eyes from King of the Beach. I like the record a lot, especially the catchy choruses. I found the lyrics relatable as well. I'd give it an 8 or 9 out of 10, but judging music with ratings isn't something I normally do, so it's meaningless.

[@javierrojas7273]

I personally enjoy this album, i'd give it a light 7 maybe, but not a light 6. I can agree with you though on the repetitive song writing though.

[@BW4LL]

i actually loved this album, would give it a strong 8. Its been in my record player since release.

[@Hambargarr]

An opinion is an opinion however I feel like you're unnecessarily looking into this sooooo much. Like, saying that you don'y buy Nathan being a depressed person to get into this album shouldn't be a factor to liking the music. Who gives a shit if he is or isn't an emo kid in a basement writing songs or that they sound like the Nirvana or the Misfits. Quite honestly, if a band sounds like those types of bands, that makes me want to listen to them more. "Afraid of Heights" is great and I feel like it deserves more credit than it should and although you give a great description in the beginning with who they are and talking about the genres that blew up around that year, I feel this was really nit-picky.

[@SlushTV]

I actually think Dog and I Can't Dream are examples of his songwriting skills going up

[@Sli00711]

I live this album it's so calming and energetic!

[@LXNNNIE]

I always thought "That's On Me" was ripped off of, or influenced by "Pretend We're Dead" by L7. Could be a total coincidence. Either way.... I love this album. Nathan was definitely influenced by Nirvana and such.... But he does it justice and it's nice to hear good melody in music again.

[@loversandlosers]

thanks for being so articulate so that i can watch your reviews at 1.5X speed to save time

[@thedogoffaleash]

I like this album for what it is. It's still not my favorite by Wavves, but I think it broadens their music from just lo-fi and surf rock sounds, and adds a few more downbeat tracks to their otherwise pretty happy and poppy catalog. I just hope that Nathan mixes it up again next album, Wavves shouldn't get caught up with just a grunge sound.

[@theneedledrop]

thanks for watching the videos, robert.

[@kevinlyons5314]

Best intro ever lol I played it over like 10 times

[@jacobm92]

fucking hell leave nate alone he pissed off on one live performance

[@perriperry3577]

I've not listen to this album, I just love their song "Nine is god" so much.

[@aureliopuentes2010]

I love all of Nathans work. Like its the best time in life to share the same feelings that other humans have on this earth. IF anything, HE'S relating to us all. The mind is a powerful thing and can make you think anything with a little influence. I think everyone overthinks all this shit. Just listen and shut up. Well , that was my opinion. Sorry if it wasnt a good one?

[@robertt7119]

This should have been on the Top 50 for 2013

[@AkatoshMount]

YES

[@debacleDrums]

"im holding a gun to my head so send me an angel or bury me deeply instead with demons to lean on" that shit moved me

[@theneedledrop]

thinking about it about it.

[@ElectronicGems]

DJ Koze - Amygdala

[@kmfed93]

wavvethony woooootano

[@theneedledrop]

sorry, i'll change 'em.

[@dro_dozer]

Good review. Agree with most of what you said. I was a big fan of his early projects, and I was really disappointed when no album came through when he was working with Zach Hill. Although a bit disappointed with Afraid of Heights, it wasn't really unexpected. You could see it coming after KOTB and their 2011 EP.

[@nickfromCO]

"it's the new wavves album BBBBRRRRROOOOO!!!!" lmfao

[@jam4996]

I know you think he isn't portraying his feelings very poetically but wavves is a very teenage band in the seance that a lot of teenagers listen to this and can relate. Most teenagers would say things like "none of you understand me" and we can all relate to his lyrics. Feelings don't always need to be portrayed in a poetic, deep manner but as Lin as the listener can relate there's nothing wrong with it.

[@gothelvis3541]

One of the best bands ever, their albums and songs are amazing. You're wrong.

[@haikat4]

I still listen to this album.

[@Paris900000003]

Spot on. I agree with the songwriting incapabilities and the fact that he uses the "woo"s as a crutch, I can't help but love this album. I was a big fan of Wavvves and KOTB, and I just sorta like more of it. Though I vastly prefer those two albums, I've still heard Afraid of Heights many times already.

[@BilsonBoi]

"You don't kno how high I am up here" I say that on a daily...

[@theneedledrop]

he's going to yale.

[@frecedio]

Anthony, I didn't think I would have ever asked you this. I don't know why so many people ask for WOLF, because it's clear that it doesnt deserve more than a 6/10, but please just review it, because until you don't, people are just going to ignore every review you make, included worthy albums. I'm sorry, respect.

[@esotericfilms]

This channel is about reviewing music. Music you like and music you hate. Music that's new. That's from his channel. Being a critic isn't about reviewing music everyone will like, it's about criticising music.

[@theneedledrop]

no, thank you.

[@theneedledrop]

while you listen to sufjan stevens?

[@theneedledrop]

huh?

[@ShoegazeMasquerade]

Sometimes I can't sleep at night, because of the rage that this bro gives me.

[@beyondover8425]

This is like the best album ever made wtf dude

[@stevenharrisburg]

he is going to review wolf...if you couldn't tell, Cal was imitating everyone asking about it constantly.. and I would have to agree, for sure just a poppy garage rock record, not bad by any standard but just not all that out there. It is just a really catchy album I will probably come back too over the summer if I need something really easy/fun to listen too.

[@DuskyRope]

fantano walks to the grocery store. suddenly the sound begins ‘REVIEW WOLF, REVIEW WOLF’ they chant. He runs outside, hoping to escape the fray, but is met with just another wall of noise. ‘REVIEW WOLF, REVIEW WOLF’ It sounds again, he cowers as the crowd approaches. ‘REVIEW WOLF, REVIEW WOLF’ with his one final breath he whispers ‘i give it a ss-strong’ then fades away into nothingness as the crowd engulfs him. Review wolf.

[@maalbe987]

For me the problem was that the overload of distortion & lo-fi production drowned out the actual songs in unnecessary amounts of noise.

[@tommyo.7876]

Prediction of Fantono's review for Wolf: strong 6 to light 7 My personal opinion of Wolf: strong 8 to light 9

[@abelizer]

this album was my first exposure to Wavves and it had me singing along after only a few listens. The "heavier" production as the review puts it is pretty much where I'd like to see the direction of the next album go.

[@bassoonistfromhell]

Review Wolf when you're good and ready, review stuff that you're ready to review now, remember to breath and always use protection, wash your hands after going to the bathroom, sleep eight hours a day and do everything else your viewers tell you to do.

[@johnhubbinsphd3498]

I thought it was a lot better than his review he gave but I understand where he's coming from

[@johnhubbinsphd3498]

Sail to the Sun is a jam and a half though

[@Phantomguy93]

Can you review Wavves x Cloud Nothings - No Life For Me. I think it's a pretty remarkable album.

[@ThrashAndBurn7]

I thought this album was great! Personally the songwriting is so catchy i cant stop listening to it. Plus even if it does sound the same they do have surf rock influences and all those kind of bands have a certain repetitiveness to them. Anyway, LOVE IT !

[@pennylane2363]

Nathan Williams is amazing... thats all....

[@MimiChristopher]

I loved king of the beach! Wasn't really feeling Afraid of Heights, but to be fair, i've only listened through it once. I do enjoy "Lunge Forward" though.

[@Atrumeos]

You should check out The Purging from Terra Tenebrosa. It's one of the darkest/weirdest albums I've heard in quite a long time. I think they deserve much more attention than the've been getting so far.

[@aye6019]

Everything is my fault was completely ripped from all apologies and Nathan uses the line soaked in bleach somewhere on the album, but all in all it was a pretty fucking great record

[@CrossRook]

I really liked Demon to Lean on. Sail to the Sun is a good intro into it, but the rest of the album just seems pretty generic afterwards. I'll keep listening to those two tracks but the rest will fall by the wayside.

[@1101pipi]

Demon to lean on has got to be the best song thus far of 2013. If anyone thinks any songs are better, let me know

[@theneedledrop]

this video got popular?

[@zacdial4810]

As a long time fan of low-fi like Jay Reatard, Ty Segall, Shannon & the Clams, etc...I feel like all the points you made were rational and understandable. Musically this album is one of Wavves best efforts. Ever since "Life Sux",Wavves has been improving and improving while still retaining the Wavves sound that you said is so easily distinguishable.I agree about the song writing, but in the end it's the melodies that keep me coming as well as catchy, simple song writing.I give it a 7 to light 8.

[@Loganflowerchild]

I'm not going to say Wavves is genius, but I did actually quite like this album. I agree, It has a lot of the same stuff as his earlier albums. I really love the darkness he created for this album though.

[@Nate_ROB_]

personally, PERSONALLY. although i LOVE nevermind, and i do see the similarities, i think Afraid of Heights is better. i love Wavves. i like to compare this album more to King of the Beach as King of the Beach being the day album and Afraid of Heights being the night album.

[@iglooghost]

not sure why you were searching for something moving within a fun beach punk album. i thought i serves its purpose really well - i.e delivering fun, nostalgic, energetic, sometimes chiller vibes with nice ass production. also mystic is the fucking jam.

[@ynkrock7]

Nah nah, I think the intentional lo-fi sound on that album made the distortion really tinny which turned me off (personally). I fucking love distortion and noise but enjoy it more when there's more bass than treble

[@americanpancakelive]

wow... wow.... wow. You nailed it and the word homogeneous is spot on. It somehow feels, sounds dated. That being said, when I saw them at the Echo recently (with Fidlar and Cheetahs) Nathan's fan base did not seem to care. Wavves still enjoys rabid following. Overall, there is something about the sound of this album that sounds like it belongs on the Disney channel (I know that is weird observation).

[@joshsg93]

i think the biggest problem was that it was too self-loathing on some songs. but the songs he didn't hate himself on were really good.

[@tommaddi]

I want to see Anthony do a serious analysis of Lil Wayne's latest, in which he also tells us his favourite lines.

[@Misch13f]

I honestly liked it. It could have been better and it was very clean. Almost too clean. I personally give it a 7/10. I completely agree with the vocals and the lyricism being pretty nonexistent, the instrumentals were pretty good and everything flowed together nicely.

[@fernieferniehaus]

I think this album is way more similar to Nathans first two albums than king of the beach was. I could tottaly see him re-recording a song like vermin or side yr on, putting it on this album, and having it fit right in. Having said that, I think that king of the beach was Nathans best effort. He had so many interesting songs that showed off his ability to create a diverse album, and that's pretty much gone on afraid of heights. Its also about four songs too long.

[@phrrrp]

I like how everyone in the world except Tyler wants you to review WOLF.

[@theneedledrop]

PAPAZIN

[@shitstain001]

This was one of the best albums I've heard in a loooong ass time. I got me my purple vinyl too! Aww yeauh.

[@rebreh1029]

Forget Wolf. Daft punk juts put out a 15 second clip. I demand a 15 minute video dissecting it

[@louisaddeo-weiss5690]

I wanna see Anthony's review for Wolf too but if everyone keeps saying WOLF WOLF then when he listens to and goes to review it, the rating isn't going to be so great. Not to mention the fact that he gave OF Tape Vol. 2, Goblin and Numbers scores of 4,4,and 3

[@nickfromCO]

oh yes...please review Wolf, that way we can hear Anthony AGAIN talk about how Tyler doesn't take any of his writing seriously and is just cashing in on his perception that white people have of him.

[@AhhZombiesAhh]

I really like this album I also disagree about not having any memorable hooks. However it did take more then one listen to really get into the album. 8 out of 10

[@shanegedekoh]

I love, love, love Wavves, but this was a good and accurate review. I read an interview in which Nathan says the lyrics are not a crutch, but I just can't help but feel that way when I listened to this album. You just summed up my feelings exactly on this one.

[@Menvajea]

He really should've seen it coming if he asks us to leave suggestions for reviews in the comments, but "Well...that's not annoying." had me laughing for at least half a minute.

[@liam313]

fathony buttano

[@dalejail]

i think the WORLD needs to see anthonys Wolf review

[@fezile]

Old-skool intros are back! YAY!

[@chillednshit]

Nathan doesn't convey his emotions with clarity because he doesn't have a sense of clarity, his head is fuzzy from all the pot and whatever the fuck else is going on up there, and thats the point. If you've ever had the urge to express yourself from that context, you'll find the music of Wavves will strike a chord with you. The odd line that conveys something perfectly or alludes to something you can associate with makes them for me. For me, Nathan represents a small category of people now.

[@zorth42]

his review of wolf is gonna be epic

[@EvilBunnyism]

I think this is their best album yet. I hope there is more like this too come. I love Wavves so much

[@EyebelieveTheNarrative]

Is Farva your dad by any chance?

[@DizGenrih]

Noah Sias - We Say Goodnight To The Restless Mind. Disregard that it came out half a year ago.

[@McPorkers]

I give it about a 6. The first half of the album is absolutely amazing in my opinion, but towards the end it gets boring and i'm never able to completely get through it

[@VinceverevecniV]

the evens_get evens on the back : great choice

[@triplerjonathan]

I couldnt agree with you more Anthony. I enjoy this LP quite a bit. 6 isnt a bad rating.

[@theneedledrop]

not feeling the laughs on that one ATM, lol.

[@SuperWoodBoy1]

Yeah, review Wolf. At least for the lulz (A la Gold Cobra). Or maybe Depeche Mode. Or the new Shannon Wright?

[@lonephantom09]

Sweet Valley is Nathan William's side project, and I think their album Eternal Champ is well deserving of a review!

[@Ananimass]

Old skool intros haveth returned!

[@iheartLouis1]

Good review, but I actually enjoyed the simplicity and consistency of the songs on the album.

[@badboychopsticks]

so glad you brought back the garden!

[@karolosL2P1337]

MISERYS A FUNNY FEELIIIIIIIIIIIIIING

[@RootbeerAndBeans]

Anthony's reviews are more entertaining than some of the music he's reviewing...