Album Review: Strong Waves Kill Weak Swimmers - Questions Are Like The Knocks Of A Beggar Man

A band can have the most pretentious and ridiculous name in the world as long as the music is good. Unfortunately for Strong Waves Kill Weak Swimmers, the songs that they have committed to this record just aren't up to scratch. The two-piece from Pittsburgh have got very little right on this EP. The songs vary from the dull to the plain irritating and although the Brand New influence is apparent throughout, Jesse Lacey worshippers need not worry as 'Strong Waves...' have little in their arsenal to challenge the throne.

Kicking off with the horrendously mixed "Wolves", it takes around ten seconds for the hip hop-esque beat to grate. It's unsure whether the band was attempting to create an atmospheric opener to their EP or that they just don't have a clue about levels, either way everything of worth is drowned out on the opening track. By second track "There's Something In The Sea", you are beginning to fear for the band's dental hygiene as it's the second track on the trot to mention broken teeth. Again the electronic beats and blips drown out the vocals and disguise the melody. However, unlike the opener, the track almost redeems itself by the chorus. This track sounds less like The Knife's' cutting room floor rejects and more like a track off Action Action's less than successful "An Army of Shapes" album. It's not as bad as "Wolves", but that's hardly high praise.