What does it sound like?:
On their first album for seventeen years Swervedriver decide, in my view correctly, that a comeback album had better connect you with why people liked you in the first place. It’s straight outta Oxford circa 1990 and sounds all the better for it.
Languid vocals, pattering drums and gauzy washes of guitar abound in a set of strong songs with an easy mid-pace flow the dominant rhythm. It’s if possible even more melodic than I remember from them first time around, with less rifferama and softer guitar work. English Subtitles, in my view the standout track, is just beautiful and (should) have you reaching for the replay button.
What does it all *mean*?
The worst-named genre of all time has life in it left. And as with all such bands the vocals are buried so deep in the mix that they could be singing, in very lovely ways, about frozen peas, or world peace.
I might go and see them on tour in May as they’re coming to Birmingham.
Goes well with…
Sitting in the park with the sun out and some cold beers.
Driving through Monument Valley with the top down.
It’s a sunny kind of record – as the album sleeve nods to.
Release Date:
Might suit people who like…
Ride, Slowdive, Lush, Catherine Wheel….
Just waiting for that to pop up on emusic (they only have “Setting Sun” so far for some reason) but have been enjoying it on Spotify in the meantime. I’d agree that it’s a “softer” record than previous ones.
Hadn’t noticed that they were playing Birmingham. Have already got quite a few gigs planned around that time though, but will have to see if I can stay awake for another!
Great band. Remember driving all the way back from the Reading Festival to see them play in Leeds.
I’ve recently picked up the debut album by Cheatahs (as they’re coming over here with No Joy in a few months, and so I was curious) and they remind me hugely of Swervedriver, in that they have a the same heavy-riffing style. So worth a listen if this sounds like your kind of thing.
(“Geographic” – Cheatahs)
Although I’m a huge fan of Slowdive/MBV etc these seemed to pass me by somehow – I remember dancing to Mustang Ford etc at Indie discos but never got as far as buying one of their albums.
I’m really blown away by this record and have to suspend belief that I’m listening to a band 25 years into their career -it sounds super-fresh – if you’d told me this was a new band of 18 year olds I’d believe you. Excellent stuff . I feel very late to this party and I’ll be seeing them live soon and shouting “DO SOME NEW!”.