By now, y’all know that I am not one to beat around the bush. Let us address the elephant in the room: the cat on the cover of this record is, in fact, holding a joint, and does appear to have a pot leaf as a halo. Anyone who keeps up with the hipster garbage music scene knows all about Wavves’ frontman Nathan Williams’ obsession with mary-juh-wanah. I mean the dude sells Wavves-branded rolling papers and grinders from the group’s merch site. All of this reeks of very clever marketing on the band’s part—supporting something so clearly illegal, taboo, and cancer-inducing can only generate buzz.
This ploy worked pretty well. When King of the Beach was released during the summer of 2010, all anyone could talk about was this band of blatant potheads, and I avoided this album for that very reason. However, all the buzz has died down by now, I need things to listen to, and this website would get pretty boring if I didn’t listen to bands with morals different than my own.
As much as I hate to admit it, this record sounds pretty good. It’s catchy as hell and contains quite a few tracks that will most definitely remain in your head for a while, but King of the Beach really does have its own sound. A strange combination of surf and lo-fi indie rock, the crunchy beats, fuzzy guitars, and off-key vocals come together to form a cool, relaxed-but-in-your-face sound. While I don’t agree with the band’s stance on the consumption of some banned substances, it is hard to deny that these guys make some good music.
Swole Ear 
“supporting something so clearly illegal, taboo, and cancer-inducing can only generate buzz”
“the buzz has died down by now”
“will most definitely remain in your head for a while”
I am understanding your secret message, Mr. Ear.
…and shouldn’t that song be “Toke On the World”
This post is much funnier if you are stoned.