Space Wolves. They were last featured on buffaBLOG a few months ago when they were known as "Virginia Wolves." We also touted them as the perfect band for ushering out the final days of summer. Well, most of the leaves have already fallen and the temperature isn't quite comfortable anymore, but I'm sticking to my guns - Space Wolves are still a great listen.
Their new eponymous disc is a quick listen, packing 13 songs in under 20 minutes. Their songs are frenetic, reverb-drenched, and always fun. What's most interesting about Space Wolves is that they are sort of an enigma. I have no idea who these men are - that is, I'm assuming that Space Wolves is more than one person. What's more - these songs could be serious or total jokes (in the best way possible, of course). Everything here is lo-fi, but it sounds great. The singer kind of sounds like he's from England, but he could just be trying to be ironic. Either way, I'm not complaining - after a day spent listening to Space Wolves, it's not really possible to feel bummed out.
Space Wolves opens with the excellent "Cherry Tobacco," a song about not feeling comfortable in your own bed (for several reasons... some of which I'm not going to delve into now). Space Wolves has an interesting way of sounding energetic and positive even when they're talking about trying to get to sleep. This is a song about being grossed out by sleeping in your own filth after all. I know someone in Space Wolves is singing about a previous night full of regrets, but I'm not grossed out, I'm just impressed. They took such an uncomfortable moment and turned it into a catchy, antsy confessional.
"Cherry Tobacco" is one of many songs on this album that don't quite crack the two-minute mark, and these short bursts of energy are where Space Wolves are at their best. "Caroline/Carolina" reminds me of Archers of Loaf with a huge riff behind a catchy chorus. "The Macadam" is another great track - it has that Vampire Weekend-esque tremolo picking and a rolling drum beat. There's something here for everyone. Fans of Modest Mouse, Best Coast, or Built to Spill can all find something here to love.
Space Wolves loves their parenthesis. Many of their titles are not unlike indie-rock Inception. "(((It Broke) My Heart) (When You Forgot)) My Name" is probably the best song on this album, but as a grammar buff, the correct use of multiple sets of parenthesis almost outshines the song itself. In all seriousness though, for 90 seconds, "It Broke My Heart" pulls on your heart strings. It's a rare moment when you can see Space Wolves as vulnerable instead of fun-loving, and it's catchy and awesome.
Besides the parentheses, another theme of this album is pizza. In fact, several Space Wolves songs are about pizza. This includes the 40-second "Here's Pizza (Do You Love Me Too)" (if you're wondering the lyrics to said song, look no further than the title). Another fun track is the bizarre "Pizza Ice Cream (Is My Dream)." In the song, Space Wolves claim to know a flavor better than Chocolate or Raspberry. Pizza. I know these guys are probably just being coy, but when I really stop to think about it, I too love pizza and ice cream.
Then again, I shouldn't really stop and think too hard when I'm listening to Space Wolves - I don't think that's their objective. This batch of songs struck me as a couple of dudes getting together in a room, writing a bunch of happy surf-rock songs, and making each other laugh with inside jokes and inventive song titles. This was definitely a fun listen - for those of us who are still lamenting the loss of summer, Space Wolves is a good (and free) way to ease the pain.
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