The Swellers
Vehicle City Blues 7”
SideOneDummy Records (2012)
Sounds like: catchy, melodic pop-punk
Score: 9/10
It’s always nice to see bands explore. I’m not just talking about pushing genres, but rather, exploring the vast landscape that is the music industry. From producers, to labels, to managers…it’s a huge world. As a band ages, it’s only natural that they want to try new things. This is the case for Flint, Michigan’s The Swellers. After parting ways with Fueled by Ramen Records and before self-releasing their new EP Running Out of Places to Go, The Swellers put out Vehicle City Blues on SideOneDummy, containing two cuts from the Good for Me recording sessions.
The title track on this 7” carefully meshes together elements of older, faster Swellers with the more (dare I say it) radio-friendly style fans heard on their last full-length, Good For Me. The song is quite lengthy, clocking in at four-and-a-half minutes…almost unheard of in the punk genre. It starts as grim, twangy guitars set the stage for singer Nick Diener’s signature delivery, which is fitting because the song is based on a number of murders that occurred in Flint. Listeners are taken on a ride through alternating tempos and the song ends with a catchy head-nodding, toe-tapping melody accompanied by a solid guitar solo.
On the b-side, the fast, upbeat “Red Lights” is a return to the sound that put the band on the map in the first place. It has a catchy chorus (“Even though the sky is always grey/Red lights turned green for me today) and classic “Woaahs” to close the record.
With the harsh criticism that Good For Me seemed to have received, I think The Swellers have redeemed themselves on these two b-sides. In fact, it seems a little odd to me that the band chose to abandon these songs, since they’re stronger than some of those included in their full-length. I’m definitely glad these saw the light of day.
-Ian Caramanzana
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