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By: Dennis Cook
Like The Kinks? Sweet tooth for XTC? Blown your lunch money on the New Pornographers? Well, Philadelphia's The Swimmers belong in your stereo and quick. Fighting Trees (released March 4 on Mad Dragon Records) is supersaturated with keening vocals, sugar hooks and oodles of other lovely touches that'll have your head rocking like a bobble head doll on the dashboard of a Vista Cruiser out on an open highway.
There's an irresistible rise to cuts like "All The New Sounds" that'll perk up a weary soul, and there's plenty of that pixie dust mojo here. The Swimmers don't so much forge into brave new territory as draw us a new map to places we thought we already knew. They show there's still life in Athen, GA jangle and moody-but-bright Boston punk-pop. A track like "St. Cecilia" shows they've also spent a little time in the razor sharp spaces of the Gang of Four. "Your Escape" is reminiscent of Girlfriend-era Matthew Sweet, which is always a plus. While the vibe is warm, inviting, even a little giddy at times, the lyrics are full of chill, foreboding and disconnection, like a pop Peppermint Patty. Yummy!
While a simple thing to say, if a band writes good songs and plays them well it's hard to beat. The Swimmers do both throughout this 12-pack. Sometimes it's the sunset shimmer to their harmonies that woos, other times it's the bopping keys and crunchy guitars that do the trick. Each three-minute gem is shoehorned with lean, cool touches that reward repeats in a big way. Delight ain't easy to score these days and they've boxed up a bunch of it. Resistance might not be futile but why would you refuse such a gift?
JamBase | Philly
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