Hi, I'm a British expat who currently lives in Poland. I teach English and travel. I keep a blog ca...
Hi, I'm a British expat who currently lives in Poland. I teach English and travel. I keep a blog called "A Band A Day" If you'd like to check it out http://www.muscineverdied.com
Member since:06.02.2006
Reviews:198
Members who trust:6
A Trip to Marineville is the Swell Maps debut album released back in 1979, the album is hit and miss but there is underlying geniusness! Whilst they didn't really make a big impact when it comes to commercial success, they made some pretty cool songs and had inspired future generations of bands - Sonic Youth for instance.
The Swell Maps have slightly muffled tracks on this album which aren't particularly well produced but this is punk and I don't think it needs to be too refined.
The drum rolls are there, the guitar playing is sound and the vocalist uses a mixture of Johnny Rotten's voice and Sylvain Sylvain, whilst being as good as neither - at least he has good taste! Whilst tracks like Spitfire Parade and Vertical Slum may show the band in a fast Sex Pistols like style of punk or even pre-punk, plenty of other tracks show a more artistic, alternative side to them more similar to Wire or PIL - Harmony in Your Bathroom, Gunboats and Blam!!! are good examples of this particular style.
A downside is that they have a few experimental tracks that are just a bit too short and don't really materialise - laughter and the like - tracks like Turn Me on Dead Man or Shoot The Angels but despite a few let downs The Swell Maps intrigue me and I'm definitely intending to check out their later LP Jane from Occupied Europe.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
H.S. Art Another Song Vertical Slum Spitfire Parade Harmony In Your Bathroom Don't Throw ... more
Ashtrays At Me! Midget Submarines Bridge Head (pt.9) Full Moon In My Pocket Blam!!! Full Moon (Reprise) Gunboats Adventuring Into Basketry My Little Shops Ripped A...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days