World of Joy

Howler

World Of Joy

Rough Trade

The band backs up the promise of their lead single, “Don’t Wanna,” with an album that is heavier, darker, funnier, more mature, and rocking than their debut America Give Up. In short, a great album about places, states of mind and people in their hometown of Minneapolis, with a pop/rock/punk crunch that is very appealing and a lot of fun to listen to.

A couple of the songs are about their guitarist Ian.  The poor man gets sick all the time, but he's a swell guy and a great guitar player.  Jordan Gatesmith’s deep voice provides more balance than on the debut and he's even better here.  The rhythm section is cool, laying down a driving beat that is also very catchy.  “Don’t Wanna,” deserves a retraction from me.  It’s not about a woman.  It’s about Goldsmith, his friends who cling to local rock mythology, and "a culture that might be more damning than freeing," to quote a bit from his liner notes I received with this review copy.  He might even be saying that if you Wanna, then Don’t Wanna, it’s okay.

We’re only three months into the year, and already there are some great albums for “best of the year” consideration, World of Joy being one of them. If you want to hear some joyful, mordantly humored, wonderful, and truly modern rock, this album is for you.  https://www.facebook.com/howlerband

Andrea Weiss