WWIII

The old saying goes "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," but not only haven't the White Wires changed their formula one iota on their third album, they don't seem to have even stopped to change the oil or check the wiper blades. III (which follows the 2010 album II — they have a formula and they stick to it) delivers 14 more short and semi-sweet pop songs played with a simplicity and ferocity that recall an early Ramones album, and if the production is cleaner and brighter this time out, it's still absolutely straightforward and elemental, perhaps less snotty in sound, but just as punk as ever in attitude. III wears its pop influences on its sleeve (they were always there, but the somewhat clearer audio makes them more obvious), and guitarist/vocalist Ian Manhire has retained his gift for writing great, heartfelt pop tunes and singing them like they hold the keys to the universe for him. Luke Martin's thick, booming basslines give the melodies a worthy foundation (his harmony vocals are a major asset as well), and Allie Hanlon's drumming is high on energy and low on needless fuss. But the paradox is that III isn't different in any important way from the White Wires' previous album, but at the same time, it isn't quite as satisfying. The songs are good, the performances are sharp, and the energy is fine, but instead of sounding like a step forward, this comes off like more of the same, still tasty but less of a surprise than the previous White Wires LP. Maybe these folks need to add a few new tricks to their repertoire, or at least find some new wrinkles in what they do, but III isn't quite the charm for this band — it's clever, fun, and it rocks, but trouble is, we knew all that very well already.