BANDS:

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80's New Wave/
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College Bands
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Virginia, North
Carolina, & DC

Swell: Whenever You're Ready
[Beggars]

Swell have been in the business for a long time, and their seventh album, Whenever You're Ready, is really a tribute to their perseverance.  Apparently, the years have seen a few lineup changes for Swell, but this album sees them as the original duo of David Freel and Sean Kirkpatrick.  The album's a strong release measuring in at 15 songs, and most of them don't really lose your attention too much.

And what about songs that grab your attention?  Well, I'm kind of fond of the track "Always Everything."  This song has a changing structure where it builds and flows in odd directions.  It's poppy as far as the vocals go, but the instruments are playing circles around each other with acoustic guitar overlaid by electric riffs and drop-beats on the drums coming in when you'd least expect it.

This album reminds me of the perfect college rock album.  It's subtle, and the band is modest but tight; anyone that appreciates creativity in rock 'n' roll will probably dig this Swell release.  Just listen to "California, Arizona," which mixes violin and some weird psychedelic ghost noises into something reminiscent of...of...well, of nothing I've really heard before.

Another key track is "Next to Nothing," which has the same intriguing swirl of distinct instruments that seems to shine through on this album.  A little bit of female backing vocals in the chorus helps keep the spooky mood of the song right on target.  I'm not really sure what Swell's earlier stuff is like, but if Whenever You're Ready is any indication, they're probably a band you don't want to ignore much longer,

This album can be purchased at Amazon, Insound, and CD Universe

Swell Official Website

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