Consider Alphawaves the debut of Life Coach 2.0, as Phil Manley’s former solo project is now a partnership between the Trans Am/Fucking Champs member and drummer Jon Theodore (The Mars Volta, newly of Queens of the Stone Age). The new sound is immediately noticeable on “Fireball,” a frenzied, psychy jam that’s also one of a number of Alphawaves cuts to feature guitar work by Isaiah Mitchell of Earthless and Golden Void.

Not every track on Alphawaves is a heavy rocker like “Fireball” — on some, the krautrock influence is more pronounced, while elsewhere Manley explores textured guitar drones. Whatever the sound, though, it all flows together quite well, which is no surprise given Manley’s impressive resume as a producer and engineer for bands like Wooden Shjips, Barn Owl, and The Fresh & Onlys.

Alphawaves comes out on April 16th on Thrill Jockey, with a release show on April 20th at the Hemlock Tavern.

Life Coach, 3 Leafs, Once and Future Band
Hemlock Tavern
April 20, 2013
9:30pm, $8