Album Review: The Swellers - Vehicle City Blues EP

With the (alternative) world their oyster, captive audiences have anxiously awaited The Swellers' first release in a post Fueled By Ramen era, and it’s finally here.

Latest offering “Vehicle City Blues”, via SideOneDummy, follows up 2011’s full-length “Good For Me”. Although admittedly, the tracks are leftovers from the aforementioned previous release, it’s not to say they were in any way cast-offs - rather, this limited-edition 7” is just a taster of what’s yet to come.

The title-track opens the EP in a melancholy manner, mildly reminiscent of Armor For Sleep’s whole sounding-like-you’re-listening-to-music-underwater thing. The dejected feeling can be forgiven though; considering its inspiration stems from a whole load of psychotic murders that happened in and around the band’s hometown of Flint, Michigan. Musically, the band are on form, with varying tempos and vocal patterns putting something quite unique on the table.

In contrast, ‘Red Lights’ doesn’t fail to impress fans who expect something a little punchier from their punk. Despite a nod to a more melodic sound, this offering, albeit short, is a sign of a return to roots that some listeners may be a little happier with, reflecting the bigger ambitions of the band.

With dreams of redefining stadium rock anthems and hitting the big time, this is one band that won’t be selling themselves out anytime soon to get there. Instead, The Swellers openly aim for high levels of recognition for something they actually really deserve. Who can blame them? Yes, it may be a pretty unheard of concept in a world of pretty-boy haircuts and manufactured garbage, but this is one band that can’t wait to get out there and show people they’ve got what it takes.

Overall, this two-track vinyl speaks for itself. Short but sweet – but not too sweet, not too sweet at all. That world that was waiting? With releases like this, well, it could be about to get a whole lot bigger.

4/5

"Vehicle City Blues" is out now on SideOneDummy.

Claire Louise Sheridan