For their third album, Model, Wallows re-enlisted the services of John Congleton, producer of their debut, after having climbed the charts in the interim with an LP recorded with Ariel Rechtshaid. Whether that is considered a gamble or not (probably not), the sessions generated a 12-song set that enthusiastically embraces their established, reliably infectious blend of indie pop, dance-rock, and synth pop, and that plays out pretty much like a greatest hits: no mood-killer, no filler. If Model suffers from anything, its sometimes seeming a bit formulaic in the process, but the good news is that Wallows are really good at catchy unlucky-in-love songs. The approach paid off commercially, with Model becoming the bands best-charting album yet when it entered the Billboard 200 Top 30 with a little help from the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs-charting pick-me bop "Calling After Me." ~ Marcy Donelson
Rovi
ヴァンパイア・ウィークエンドの前座を務めた経験も持つLA拠点のロック・バンドによる3作目。バンド自身が〈不完全な完全さ〉があると語るように、メロディーやヴォーカル、演奏にどことなく愚直さを感じさせるところが良い。デビュー作以来のプロデュースを担当したジョン・コングルトン(セイント・ヴィンセントなど)がバンドの魅力を最大限に引き出した作品だ。
bounce (C)赤瀧洋二
タワーレコード(vol.487(2024年6月25日発行号)掲載)