Swanson are from Burlington, New Jersey and there is not an inch of Guitar Pop present here. But Break The Seal is an album of great variety and the mix of material is both laudable and mind-blowing, displaying great versatility. Just as you think the album is one thing, the next song reveals that it is not.
Listening to the two opening songs, you would have them down as a sort of 60s Stooges Garage Punk band with the talky vocal and the big Psych-ish riffs. But even those two songs hint further afield to Not Yawk 70s Sleaze and a more inventive version of The Strokes.
Yet Dreaming Of You is a mellow brooding melancholic joy of a song and Finish The Joy is similarly 70s slowed down Classic Rock with some great vocal harmonies. Compass encroaches instrumentally on Modern Prog, yet vocally it is very West Coast Rock.
Both Hoof and Joe's Advice head towards Country Rock, then there is the mesmerising approaching 9 minutes that is Climb The Tower. It is incredibly heavy 60s Psych that is simply blowing, an absolutely jaw dropping listen that just gets better and better as it progresses.
I've seen the band compared to others that are not fit to wipe this lot's boots, O Sees being one. This debut studio album is incredible and follows a live album release. You can imagine Swansun to be in their element live, but this is a really fine listen. Not necessarily where I would venture ordinarily, but I am so glad that I did.
You can listen to and buy the album here.
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