White Wives “Happeners” review
White Wives
Roger L. Harvey, Chris Head, Chris #2 Baker, Tyler Kweder
White Wives is Anti-Flags Chris #2 and Chris Head, Roger L. Harvey of Dandelion Snow, and Tyler Kweder of American Armada.
Available Now on Adeline Records!
*review by Taylor Pesqueira
I was a little apprehensive listening to White Wives because I was affraid of it sounding like a dominated Chris #2 project. Don’t get me wrong I like Anti-Flag but if i’m listening to a side project I want to hear something new. And that is exactly what I got, something new. The first track “Indian Summer, Indian Summer” is a great song to kick the album off with. Once you get past the government speach and all the “whoa whoas” it is reminiscent of old rock and roll it gets back to the sound of music that the new generation seems to be lacking.
“Sky Started Crying” is another quality track, but my favorite part of this song is that you can hear the piano without it being drowned out by other instruments. The pounding of the keys mixed in with the powerful strumming of the guitar is a sound that sends a rush through my entire body. I love the way that The White Wives blend Roger L. Harvey’s folk rock background (Dandelion Snow) with Chris #2 and Chris Head’s punk roots (Anti-Flag) to create a sound that is original. Harvey’s voice fits in perfect with the sound that White Wives are creating and it ups the emotion of “Sky Started Crying”, then Chris #2 chimes in with his raw punk vocals and back ups to off set the emotion Harvey’s voice carries.
“Hungry Ghost” is another stand out track from the album because Chris #2’s harsh vocals become more dominant, but Harvey’s melodic voice is an interesting contrast to #2’s vocals and it works very well together. The song is repetitive with the chants of “We are, we are, the hungry ghost”. I feel like this song could have been put towards the end of the album tracklisting so listeners could get a better feel of the new sound that is coming from the White Wives.
“Another City For A New Weekend” and “Hallelujah I’m Mourning” are examples of the music that artist are writing but are being over looked by people who only listen to what commercial radio and what shitty major labels tell them to. The musicianship from the White Wives is genuine, heart felt and meaningful. Both songs are about what its like to be on the road playing to the fans and people who are part of the small scene that makes music like this possible; a thank you to those who support the scene. With lyrics like “another city for a new weekend/another room filled with amplified kids” and “I want to sing for you/the way you sang to me/on milk crates in our garage when i was only 15”. You can feel the emotion White Wives are trying to get across. You can tell they play for fun and money comes second.
Happeners is a summer suprise that i am glad i stubbled upon. It has those cool mellow elements of an indie album along with those old rock and roll sounds reminiscent of a Clash or Bruce Springsteen album. I find it refreshing when people of different music generes can come together and create something that people have been waiting to hear and The White Wives execute this perfectly. I would probably have never listened to this album if it wasn’t given to me to review and i am glad that this landed in my lap because it is a great album that i can listen to on a late summer night and enjoy drinking alone to or with a group of great friends; the soundtrack to a great hang. You can listen to this album from start to finish all the way through, definitely check this out and pick it up.
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WHITE WIVES TOUR DATES
8/16 – Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen*
8/17 – Detroit, MI @ Magic City Lounge*
8/18 – Columbus, OH @ Magnolia Thunderpussy Records – FREE IN-STORE PERFORMANCE & SIGNING! 4pm
8/18 – Columbus, OH @ Monster House*
8/19 – Buffalo, NY @ Record Archive – FREE IN-STORE PERFORMANCE & SIGNING! 4pm
8/19 – Buffalo, NY @ Broadway Joe’s*
8/20 – Wilkes Barre, PA @ Redwood Art Space*
8/21 – Philadelphia, PA @ Teri’s Diner^ (Free show)
10/1 – Chicago, IL @ Metro#
* – with Tigers Jaw, Kite Party, Three Man Cannon
^ – with Night Genius (members of Paint It Black) and Glory Bound
# – with AWOLnation
About the Author
Denise Borders 39, Los Angeles. Denise founded PWV in 2008 and remains the primary manager and photographer/videographer. She is not secretly obsessed with Joey Cape.
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