Alvvays - Blue Rev

Indie Rock – Released October 7, 2022 – 14 songs, 38 mins

LUNDI

Whenever you start a venture, it’s important to have goals and aspirations. While I’d never even come close to saying TSR offers a unique product like this week’s band, I couldn’t help but find some brand motivation in their journey and my very small part in it. I’ve been fortunate enough to see this Canadian band twice, first in 2015 and a second time in 2018. Both concerts were small capacity crowds in intimate environments and it’s no stretch to say that from the very first song they gained a new fan. Now many years later I’m here to tell you they just released one of the best albums of the year and I’m damn proud of them. Please welcome to the TSR stage, Alvvays with their third studio album Blue Rev. 

As an avid fan of Alvvays I will be honest that my initial reaction to Blue Rev was a blunt “what the f#@k”. If you seen this dynamic shift in style coming on the band’s third album I’d like to have a chat with you about Friday’s lotto numbers. The bubble gum pop riffs of albums past are long gone and in their place is a deep dive into the shoegaze genre with its heavily distorted guitars and effect peddles. Rock and punk are certainly having a moment right now so while the album is a complete surprise in style, their left turn could not have been timed more perfectly for the current music landscape.

As with a ton of great music though, the album just needed some time to grow. With every listen Blue Rev allows you to peel back its layers to discover an album of the year contender. With every play through I wanted it louder and with every new ending I wanted to repeat it again. There is so much to unpack as each and every track is imaginative within its own right. It’s a struggle to even highlight any individual tracks as there’s something to admire and love about every single one. The band feels comfortable and perfectly in the pocket as they bring you a fourteen song package of lightning quick tracks in just 39 minutes. 

Now Molly friggin Rankin appreciation time. She is an absolute star in the making. She has been flirting with the indie rock scene for years but this album should finally be her long overdue introduction to a much wider music audience. Her lyrics are poignant and witty and they’re delivered with the ultimate frenetic energy. She is captivating on every track and even gets her first ever production credits on this album alongside longtime bandmate and guitarist Alec O’Hanley. She’s a musical force leading an up and coming band that no doubt deserve your attention. 

Growth is so very important in music but so is maintaining your band identity. Blue Rev never loses the feeling that caused the indie underground scene to fall in love with Molly and Co. but its package of genre timing and musical excellency will be a signal to the masses. Time to start booking those bigger venues, Alvvays. 

Oh Canada! Simply put Alvvays produce one of the year’s best records with Blue Rev. Loud, energetic, and damn good fun. 

Overall Rating: 8.8/10

Favourite Song: Pomeranian Spinster

ROZ

Ever since hearing Alvvays’ studio album Antisocialites, I knew that this homegrown Canadian band was a special one. With songs such as Dreams Tonite, In Undertow and Not My Baby already comfortably seated in my sad boy playlists for the years to come, the excitement was palpable when I discovered that they were releasing new music. Well, Blue Rev is here, and for all the Canadians reading this, yes it’s named after what you think it is.

Alvvays brings about all things good from the indie rock and shoegaze genres, and their newest venture is no different. Molly Rankin is a force that is not to be trifled with, holding credits in not only the singing, songwriting and instrumentation departments but also on the production side as well - she can really do it all. Also at the production helm once again is Calgary native Shawn Everett, who himself has amassed six Grammys and has worked with the likes of Alabama Shakes, The War on Drugs and The Killers. The band is clearly in great hands. 

Speaking of which, the entire band is in top form here; Guitarist Alec O’Hanley confidently lays his mark by shredding to the high heavens, with songs such as After The Earthquake and Many Mirrors highlighting his immense talent on the instrument. Keyboardist Kerri MacLellen succeeds in laying down solid backing keys throughout, effortlessly moving from the organ to the piano to the synthesizer. Drummer Sheridan Riley ensures that each song is housed on a solid foundation, where on Pomeranian Spinster you can almost feel the sweat dripping down onto the drum kit itself. Truly this is a band that is in a state of absolute flow.

Highlights are numerous. With a tracklist of 14 songs you’d expect there to be a bloating effect to the record itself - this is not the case. Fun little experiments are peppered throughout, with Very Online Guy radiating a sense of uniqueness that helps elevate an album away from others in its company. Melodically, Blue Rev displays the same delightful chord timing and progressions that I've found in their previous work, with The Pharmacist and Tile By Tile feeling particularly intoxicating. The vocal talents of Rankin cannot be understated as she pours herself out again and again, from the softer ballads of Bored in Bristol to the pure rawness found in Lottery Noises. Superb.

Blue Rev, much like the delicious Canadian beverage, is a potent mix. Alvvays never strays from their signature sound yet somehow finds a way to masterfully crank that sound up to an 11. This one will be getting purchased on vinyl in the very near future.

Overall Rating: 8.6/10

Favourite Song: Lottery Noises

REID

Canadian east coasters and indie rockers, Alvvays, are up with album 84 in this musical version of a book club we have going. A few weeks back, Lundi mentioned Molly Rankin, the band’s singer-songwriter, is the daughter of the late John Morris Rankin of Nova Scotian Celtic music fame, The Rankin Family. I said to the boys then and well… 

Hey heyyy sweeeet darlin, let’s go dancinnn’ tonight.

K with that out of the way… The group has garnered a niche following since their arrival on the scene in 2014, including my fellow TSR comrades. We have another Lorde situation on our hands as the boys are already fans and I’m late to the party. Last time it made for some fun perspective and I’m interested in their takes on the indie rock quintet’s third album, Blue Rev. 

The strengths emerge right from the drop of the puck on Pharmacist and Easy On Your Own? as Molly orchestrates two relatable tracks about running into a back-in-town ex and the sometimes cruel monotony of single life. The subdued tone in her voice meshes so well with the music, it’s not surprising to learn her fingerprints are all over the writing and production. While the first two are good, After the Earthquake made my ears perk up on the first listen. It’s a standout with 2022 top 10 track potential. The other three highlights worth pointing out are the quirky Very Online Guy, jealousy sprinkled Velveteen and punk rock Pomeranian Spinster. They’re so very different stylistically and that’s the key. The band’s rich, upbeat and diverse sound create a collection of indie rock goodies. While there are six to eight great tunes, my only criticism is a handful of them sound similar.

Ohhh Canada, vve stand on guard for thee! On Blue Rev, Alvvays pump out fourteen songs in less than forty minutes offering a brand of indie rock with many punches. It’s a fun listen, the highs are high and a thirst for a live performance is established. I’m willing to bet the guys feeeel the same way too.

Overall Rating: 8.0/10

Favourite Song: After The Earthquake