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“In the desolate landscape of “modern” music, quality songwriting has been de-valued
and the obtuse and esoteric is routinely passed off as innovation. But every once in a long
while, an original record cuts through the fog to remind us that there is no substitute for
killer hooks, whipcrack musicianship and three minute miracles.
This year, that album is dig the new sounds of tenniscourts and it is exactly what we’ve
all been waiting for.

tenniscourts. One word—lowercase, if you please.

This exciting new band is the direct descendant of power-pop greats like the Jam, the
Buzzcocks and Cheap Trick, yet with an indisputably unique voice all its own.
The 13 songs on “dig the new sounds” span all that makes pop music great—from the
anthemic chorus of “Forever True” to the sugary confection of “Swimming Pool,” from
the propulsive waltz of “27b” to the staccato handclaps of “Nicotine Nights,” this is the
sound of a band that knows their way around a pop song. And let it be said, for the record,
that is no small thing.

tenniscourts is the brainchild of one Wes Hollywood, well known to all Chicago rock fans
for his Wes Hollywood Show combo, a fixture on the local scene for nearly a decade.
The WHS released 4 CDs, culminating with the widely acclaimed Moonraker. As time went
on, Wes noticed the widening gulf between the loose indie rock sound that was prevalent
at the time and the succinct and economical pop songs that increasingly dominated his catalog.
Deciding to follow his own voice rather than those around him, Wes formed tenniscourts
out of the ashes of the WHS and released a self-titled CD in 2007.
A hundred shows and a few lineup tweaks later, the group fully coalesced. Now joined by
Spencer Matern’s effortlessly melodic basslines, the tasteful keyboard playing of Chris
Thomson and the propulsive drumming of Tom Shover (Brown Betty, Fondly), Wes finally
has the perfect accompaniment for his delirious pop masterpieces.

—David Singer (President of the Sweet Science Records)

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"Dig the New Sounds of tenniscourts"

The years go by, but great power pop is timeless.
Check out one of Chicago’s most skilled practitioners of the genre
with this Wes Hollywood-led quartet.
Several listens reveal the hallmarks of superb craft: Hook-filled songwriting,
well-deployed harmonies and excellent trad rock-ish arrangements.

—David Harbarger, The Men's Book




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Tenniscourts‘ earnest pursuit of pop perfection continues unabated on
Dig The New Sounds Of . . . ,
with its Cheap Trick-edged, Oasis-esque sound solidly propelling the band
through its 12 carefully crafted originals.
While clever lyrics, solid solo-instrumental turns, and smart production turns
override formulaic tempo tendencies, the much more layered, complex cuts
“Crystal City” and “The Grove” stand apart as the band’s aspirational apogee.

– David C. Eldredge, Illinois Entertainer




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"Dig the New Sounds of tenniscourts"

Nice, it seemed like just as I was ready to put the previous tenniscourts
cd to bed out comes another one.
This Chicago band is led by the elusive Wes Hollywood who was in a band known as
the Wes Hollywood Show who I must admit, I’d never heard but that previous T.C. disc
from 2007 was a sweet jolt in the vein of other Illinois brethren like Cheap Trick
and Material Issue. Hollywood has no lack of hooks hidden in that (very large) duffel bag
of his and the guitars go crunch too. Opener “Forever True” is a driving opener with
cascading vocals and melodic guitars while “Swimming Pool” states “all I want is a
swimming pool” (me too) is hooky as all get out and “Love I the Light” employs some
well-placed keyboards.
If Elvis Costello wasn’t so busy hanging out with folks like Robert DeNiro he would go back
to his roots and take these guys out on tour with him (and have Gentlemen Jesse as the
openers) and give these guys the fanbase they deserve.

—Dagger Zine




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"Dig the New Sounds of tenniscourts"

Wes Hollywood, a well known Chicago rock veteran always had a deep rooted sense of
melodic rock. Here in his new band tenniscourts, he has the energy built on the stylings
of Elvis Costello and Cheap Trick.
Starting off with "Forever True" it lives on those loud heavy guitar riffs. "All I want is a
swimming pool..." sets the theme for a blistering set of riffs on "Swimming Pool" and a
touch of Ray Davies styled lyrical appeal about a kid's dream.
This working man's touch to is also revealed in "Love In The Night."
The mid-tempo "Falling" has some awesome guitar melody and is my favorite on this
album, it has a lots of subtle details that makes it rise to greatness.
Spencer Matern’s effortlessly melodic bass lines on "Crystal City" bring to mind Oasis (take
that Noel Gallager).
"Ordinary Life" bounces along with "la la la" choruses and could be a sequel to The Kinks
"Well Respected Man" with Mr. Pleasant finally reaching millionaire status.
The big riffs come back in "In The Scene" and no track here falls flat.
Overall, an excellent album worth more than a few spins on the ole' ipod.

—Powerpopaholic




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"Dig the New Sounds of tenniscourts"

Wes Hollywood has been giving Chicago good music for over a decade
his latest project tenniscourts blends garagesque vibes with power-pop
calling back to fellow Illini Cheap Trick. Smooth, full of mod-soul and at times
crisply rocking, this album desereves to be in your rotation.

—AVANT/CHICAGO




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"Dig the New Sounds of tenniscourts"

This was a cool sounding record.
Very energetic and rocking, nothing really jumped out at me, though, as being new or unique.
But its good.

–KingWart, Pop Underground




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"Dig the New Sounds of tenniscourts"

Over the years, the Chicago area has given the world some first rate power pop music
in the form of bands such as Cheap Trick, Pezband, Material Issue and Shoes.
If it seems like modern times haven't produced much worthy of joining that list,
get acquainted with Wes Hollywood, his new band tenniscourts, and their recently released
record, "Dig the New Sounds of tenniscourts." Armed with a wealth of hooks, attitude and
energy, the album is a very welcome break from the hordes of overly obtuse indie rock
and chamber pop acts that try hard to say a lot, but end up saying very little.

After releasing four albums over the past decade as "The Wes Hollywood Show," Hollywood
decided to put together a new band, releasing the self-titled "tenniscourts" in 2007 and
"Dig the New Sounds" at the end of 2008. The result is a roster of amazingly tight, masterfully
written and performed pop songs that stick on the first listen and don't lose their charm.
If you've ever found yourself getting tired of having to play a CD over and over before being
able to get into it, tenniscourts is the band for you.

From "Dig the New Sound's" first track, "Forever True," you notice that the melody is so perfect,
the riffs so catchy, that you're in for something special. This is the kind of stuff that sounds like
it jumped straight out of a convertible on a hot summer's day circa 1979. And that's a good
thing. "Swimming Pool," which the band have released as a 7" single, is a dose of pure,
revved-up new wave fun, while other highlights such as "Crystal City" and "Ordinary Life" have
a definite Ray Davies or early Elvis Costello cool to them that makes them impossible to resist.

Along with bassist Spencer Matern, keyboardist Chris Thomson and drummer Tom Shover,
Hollywood has produced some of the finest power pop music out of Chicago - or anywhere,
for that matter - in recent memory on "Dig the New Sounds." If you're a fan of hooks and
melody, don't hesitate to give it a listen.

–Frank Krolicki, Chicago Rock Music Examiner