Album Review: Swearin’ – Surfing Strange
Philadelphia’s Swearin’ have returned with their second album, Surfing Strange, and from the off it sounds good enough to justify the astronomical amount of hype that’s been brewing around them lately. It feels immediately more polished than their self-titled debut, which was released in the UK and Europe via Wichita last week. So, for some, Surfing Strange may be their first introduction to the Pennsylvania quartet. It may sound slightly glossier with a few more relaxed tracks, but it still holds its raw qualities and lots of ‘cool’ charm – just like the gnarly apostrophe that signs off their name.
Previous single ‘Dust in the Gold Sack’ is an awesome opener; rich in carefree riffs and Allison Crutchfield’s breezy vocals, “cracks in the ceiling above us, dust in the gold sack”, which teeter on a confident, yet woozy plinth. ‘Melanoma’ builds on its initial fuzz until it reaches boiling point with slamming consequences to interrupt the distant vocals from bassist Keith Spencer. While ‘Mermaid’ starts delicately, it also suffers the wrath of these unruly traits, only after Spencer has recited his original spoken word piece.
The grungy elements in ‘Parts of Speech’, complete with its spiraling hook, feature a heated beat as the bass interjects. Elsewhere, the familiar passion-riddled drums and American twang from Kyle Gilbride on ‘Watered Down’ hone in on its indie rock and garage influences. Album highlight ‘Unwanted Place’ is a strong number as it offers up, “Sometimes I wish I heard them better” with smashing backing. The result: uproar. It sounds like Swearin’ are really making a stand on this one, in an honest DIY punk manner.
Not all of Surfing Strange is riled up however, unlike much of their debut. There are some calmer servings on this record, which align themselves more with the likes of ‘Empty Hand’ on their first album. Soft strums invite you into the core of ‘Loretta’s Flowers’ as the lo-fi grunge takes a well-deserved backseat for three minutes, letting Crutchfield’s vocals take the hazy spotlight as she coos against the guitar. ‘Curdled’ closes proceedings, this time with Gilbride’s voice coming to the forefront as it runs along with the plodding textures. These two tracks bring ‘Surfing Strange’ back down from its rugged highs of battered drums and tight power-hungry guitars. They’re also a hark back to Crutchfield and Gilbride’s old band, P.S. Eliot, which also included Allison’s sister, Katie Crutchfield – now of Waxahatchee fame.
The Philly-based outfit have excelled on their second record; the introduction of more thoughtful tracks proving they can produce sounds outside of the confines of their overflowing box of hectic buzz. Swearin’ still sound as vital as ever and Surfing Strange reflects every ounce of this.
– Hayley Fox
