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For the past few months it seems like everyone has been talking about The Swellers (from Michigan). Well, I’ve finally picked up a copy of their latest album Ups And Downsizing and, frankly, at first I was completely underwhelmed. The band is a great power-pop-punk band with huge catchy hooks that seem perfect for modern rock radio in that Rise Against sort of way, but there’s a bit more. I also hear more than just a few emo-esqe influences in both melody and structure that remind me (a lot) of the poppiest Jimmy Eat World songs. It’s balanced out with fast-paced but mainstream Fat Wreck skate-punk rhythms that would be the perfect soundtrack for a Zumiez store. Don’t get me wrong here, I like this more than I dislike it. It’s mainstream in the same way that Gratitude’s one ridiculously great album is, except the songwriting here isn’t quite on par with Jonah’s. Still, that being said, every additional listen to Ups And Downsizing makes me like it more and more. If I’m not careful, this might end up on my best of 2009 list. It’s catchy, well-played, and more punk than not, but it still has more in common with the music of The Starting Line than it does with what you’d expect the No Idea crowd to be listening to. Both my wife and I also hear shades of No Motiv as well. I really really need to stop listening to this or just give in because I think I actually really like it. Fuck. So much for my initial elitist stance.
MP3:
The Swellers - Fire Away
The Swellers - Feet First
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