The Strangest Things review by Adam
I traveled to Buffalo two days ago to see Longwave, for I think the 8th time or something. Being freinds with the band certainly has its perks, because Steve gave me an advance copy of their soon to be major label debut (RCA). I am surprised to hear that it is about 10 times better than their previous (1999) release "Endsongs". The album is titled "The Strangest Things".
The album, recorded by legendary producer/engineer Dave Fridmann, in Fridmann's home/studio Tarbox Road Studios, shows a stronger band, that is tighter and not at all road weary, even after touring with the Strokes (and later with the Vines, but the Vines tour occured after recording).
The album opens up with "Wake me when it's Over" which features and extended intro, clocking in at about 2 minutes before the entry of the vocals. The treatment that the whole album recieves puts a nice touch on all of the songs, and it is introduced with this stand out track.
Actually, most of the tracks on the album are stand-out tracks, and there is definite hit potential for this album as a whole.
The dynamic of the band is a lot stronger on this release, and the emotion in these songs and the emotion in Steve's singing (and lyrics) bring the band to an entire new, higher platform. At times the guitars conjur up such emotion that it is hard to bear, yet the album is far from over sentimental. Maybe I am just a sucker for a good delay pedal, which this album has plenty of.
The vocals are awash in delay as are the guitars. The word that keeps coming to mind (even if I don't know quite how to spell it correctly)= Incendiery!! The guitars lift up the band, and the music.
"The strangest Days" is many things: An emo-ish, indie, guitar rock, retro-ish great album. The usual guitars doused in effects are still very present, yet the songs have a new catchyness to them, from the Strokes inspired "Pool Song" to the driving familiarity of "All Sewn Up" (a definite strong point on the album!). One can tell by listening to this release that Longwave have matured greatly, and know exactly what they are doing, from the order of the tracks to the mixing (Fridmann did an outstanding job, though I can't help but think that the boys had some input, judging by the self-produced "Endsongs" and the similarities between these two releases).
To sum it up, a fantastic album that I can't say enough great things about. It is a perfect mix, nearly, of emotion and intelligence. The progressions don't merely consist of power chords over and over again. The listener will find it refreshing to hear some 7th chords as well as some suspensions and counterpoint. It is always good to hear something different, and this album definitely is.
Release is set for February 18th, 2003 (though it may be pushed to March 2003) keep an eye out for it.