★★★★☆
All good punk records should sound like they’ve been recorded in someone’s basement.
Wet Ones’ self-titled debut album does exactly that. Describing themselves as a trash rock band, Wet Ones have been tearing up the US punk scene since forming a little over a year ago. The hype surrounding their first full-length is not surprising, considering the band includes members from Fag Cop, Mouthbreakers and Rooftop Vigilantes. These guys clearly know what they’re doing, and this album packs a formidable punch.
Piercing vocals that could skin a live rat feature brazenly across all tracks, with a steady mix of grungy and erratic compositions. Having said that, there are a few songs peppered with some exceptionally satisfying melodies. Each song on the album brings contrasting flavours, while maintaining overall cohesion and a firm punk aesthetic. This could partly be because the members regularly swap their instruments depending on what the track requires.
The rollicking ride that is ‘I Live Life Reckless’ is a stand-out; likewise ‘Static’, which features a thumping tempo with outbursts of crazy guitar. Tracks like ‘Get Me Off’ and ‘Casino’ contain the often volatile and uncompromising lyrics the band has become known for.
It’s hard to pick a favourite when every song takes the listener on a debaucherously wild adventure.
Wet Ones’s self-titled release is out now throughSlovenly.
