Labels

Alvvays


Formed: 2011
Location: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Genre: Indie Pop, Dream Pop
Years Active: 2013 - present
Core Members: Molly Rankin (vocals), Kerri MacLellan (keyboards), Alec O'Hanley (guitar, keyboards)
Way of Working: Led by Molly Rankin
Style: Consistently good music about a girl unlucky in love

Essential Releases

Dummy

Alvvays (2014)

Bittersweet music about the ups and downs of relationships.

Album Title 2

Antisocialites (2017)

Shimmering indie pop. From heartbreak comes growth and self-discovery.

Album Title 3

Blue Rev (2022)

Layered, more shoegazy. Sentimental, rich, nostalgic.



Singer Molly Rankin is a part of the Rankin music family, who have released a series of country-folk albums as The Rankin Family. Molly's father, and the groups pianist, John Rankin died in a car crash in 2000.

In the face of such tragedy many people would've avoided life on the road, but Molly confronted her dark past head on by starting a dream pop group. She could've joined The Rankin Family, but would've been a passenger on a ship already at sea. Pursuing her own project gave her a much-needed sense of control.


Alvvays music is a far cry from Molly's Rankin Family roots but it retains a matter of factness often found in folk. Her measured voice barely raises above an emotional flatline in a way that hints at a volcano brewing underneath.

Molly started the band with her neighbour, Kerri MacLellan (pictured above, far right), and met Alec O'Hanley at a gig when she was a teenager. They continue to make music together till this day. Providing a vital sense of stability in a fragile world.

Meaning of the Name

The name was chosen because it is both sentimental and nostalgic. Always, as in forever, then, now and every day to come. It has a reassuring sense of familiarity and comfort. The spelling of the band name as 'Alvvays' is to avoid a copyright claim from the British indie pop band Always.

Skills

*This is a work in progress. Values are subjective.

Emotional Impact

i Does it connect with the heart? What does it make you feel and how much of it?
70

Mental Impact

i Does it connect with the head? Social issues, interesting observations, clever lyrics, similies etc.
60

Originality

i Are they unique? Did they break new ground, use new techniques or create new genres.
45

Artistry

i Using creativity and imagination to present themselves in a unique way. Example, Wu-Tang Clan as Shaolin and Marvel characters etc.
60

Authenticity

i Do they really mean what they say? Is it autobiographical, personal?
90

Live

i Stage presence, working the crowd, performance. Miming, forgetting lyrics reduce this.
90

Production

i Studio techniques. More important for electronic music including hip hop.
75

Musicianship

i Their ability to play individually and as a group. Technical skills. DJing. Freestyling for hip hop.
85

Singing

i Technical attributes.
80

Songwriting

i Storytelling. Cohesive themes. Is the song about something? Stan by Eminem is an example of excellent songwriting.
90

Danceability

i Does it make you move? Do you tap your foot, nod your head or move your whole body?
60

Fun

i Is listening to it a good time? Are the lyrics funny? Depressing themes lowers value.
55

Consistency

i Have they put out good music across their careers. Two good albums and 5 band ones will reduce this value.
90

Range

i Fast, slow, ballads, party jams. Do they go beyond their own genre?
40

Cool

i Laid-back, icy detachment, unflustered.
45

Charisma

i Factors include appearance, force of personality. Elvis making people faint etc.
60

Commercial & Critical Success

Awards >>>

  • Juno Awards WINNER!: Antisocialites (2017) - Best Alternative Album
  • SOCAN Songwriting Prize WINNER!: Antisocialites (2017)
  • Polaris Music Prize Nominee: Antisocialites (2017)
  • Juno Awards WINNER!: Blue Rev (2022) - Best Alternative Album
  • Polaris Music Prize Nominee: Blue Rev (2022)
  • Grammy Awards Nominee: Belinda Says (2022) - Best Alternative Music Performance

Certifications >>>

  • Gold: Archie Marry Me (2014, single) - in Canada, USA
  • Gold: Dreams Tonite (2014, single) - in Canada

Charts >>>

  • Album Charts: Blue Rev (2022) - #6 in Australia

Critics >>>

  • CBC Music: Alvvays (2014) - 30 Best Canadian Albums of 2014 #1
  • The Ringer: Antisocialites (2017) - Best Albums of 2017 #3
  • Exclaim: Blue Rev (2022) - Best Albums of the Year #1
  • Paste: Blue Rev (2022) - Best Albums of the Year #3
  • Pitchfork: Blue Rev (2022) - Best Albums of the Year #3
  • Stereogum: Blue Rev (2022) - Best Albums of the Year #1

CRITICISM

  • When the band perform 'Archie, Marry Me' some fans shout "Molly, marry me" and throw flowers at her feet. It was a bit much. One guy in Belgium even rushed the stage and tried to get a kiss. The bastard. She's mine.

    The attitude I've just displayed is the problem. Molly should be able to perform her songs without harassment from over-zealous fans.


Similar Acts



Labels:

Popular Posts