For the past 50 years, pop music has had a love affair with the beach. Actually, after such a long time it's hardly an affair at this point, is it? Pop music and the beach life are pretty much married. And the latest to tie the knot? Nathan Williams of the lo-fi band Wavves.

I've had quite the history with Wavves. I saw Williams last year and thought his performance was fairly decent. Then he spent the next few months embarrassing himself with on-stage freakouts and I found him harder to enjoy. But now he's got a great new record, a much more enjoyable live show, and I can confidently say I'm on board.

Wavves' King of the Beach--released earlier this month by Fat Possum Records--is a great pop punk record in the best sense of the term. It's a fun album that devotes most of its time to the enjoyment of sun, surfing, and other recreational activities. And though you're pretty unlikely to garner any life truths or eye-opening revelations from it, it's an inspiring record nonetheless.

Now that Nathan Williams has cleared up the fuzz a little bit and put his nose to the songwriting grindstone, he's come up with an album that's absolutely Character Approved.

[Image: You Ain't No Picasso]