New Twentieth Century Swansea Sounds
New Twentieth Century LP by UK’s Swansea Sound is a force of indie pop nature to be reckoned with. Crisp, sleek, and summery, guitar driven indie rock. But before I delve into this record.. If you peruse my blog it seems like I might know what I’m talking about. Full disclosure : I really don’t.
It just so happens I am around long enough to catch wind of Heavenly. Two members of Heavenly grace Swansea Sound. Heavenly are an integral part of indie pop. Check out more about Heavenly here https://meatsheetfanzine.com/new-heavenly-wax-banshees-acid/
Additionally, Amelia and Rob of Heavenly played in Talulah Gosh as well. So there is your homework. Look up both if you have not heard them.
Another member is Hue Williams of Pooh Sticks. Now I have self imposed homework as I need to check out Pooh Sticks, the 1st Swansea Sound LP (and a whole lot more).
Rounding out this band is Ian Button of Death In Vegas and Bob Collins of The Dentists and The Treasures of Mexico. I am unclear who is playing what but will also find that out. My work is never done. I’m fairly certain Amelia and Hue lend the voices. if this is so…
Spoiler alert, Hue and Amelia turn in spectacular vocal takes track after track on Twentieth Century.
Yes I’m jealous. I’m also elated to have been lucky to hear this LP. Say more about it ? Done.
Most times it feels like a story or conversation set to jangly punk infused, indie pop. Lest you think the groove is missing, it is present and there is a delightful opportunity to toe tap and sing along on nearly every track. Onward to said tracks.
Paradise gives some of the catchiest jangle guitar and vocals I’ve heard in many moons. It’s direct, cut to the chase, pop number. You’ll get it immediately , or not. Also there is twisty, low end background noise through the song that helps move the super tight rhythm along. Maybe a synthesizer ? No matter, Paradise sets the place at the table for Twentieth Century.
Secondly is Seven In The Car. At the risk of sounding old, the melodiousness of Seven In The Car reminds me of Difford and Tilbrook of Squeeze’s prowess of writing. If you prefer, it is probably a classic turnaround as heard in jazz and rock. That is if my terminolgy is correct.
The chord progressions combined with the vocal musings become hummable and downright fun.
But these things are better heard than having a neuro divergent bloggist explain it to someone. Therefore I urge you to listen.
Next , Keep Your Head On. This is a single and it has a yin yang feel. Let me explain. The rhythm plods along with confidence. The vocals and guitars float much more lightly. Together they melt into a slower tempo pop single. Since the other tracks speed up, as one will hear if they listen, Keep Your Head On is like an anchor point for the album. In fact it provides contrast to the other faster songs. It easily can stand alone if need be.
The next two tracks below could easily be a nod to mod music / late 70’s punk. I hear some The Jam and Buzzcocks. Swansea Sound add more melody and fizz in the vocals than aforementioned. So its more bouncy, bubbly pop, yet with a gritty, edgy under current. Im a sucker for this. If I knew a bit more about their influences I could probably hone in way better. Bottom line is, it’s a fun and rewarding listen.
Speaking of tempo changes Click It and Pay and I Don’t Like Men In Uniform speed things up with fervor. Click It and Pay‘s lyrics may capture the urgency of ones consumerism. The music also lends an urgency and speed that teeters on the brink or just inside the realm of punk rock. If that sounds like your thing then you’ll probably dig this one and quite a few more on Twentieth Century. One can tell that the tracks like these occur in an order that goes fast to slow intentionally. Also thanks to lyrics I am wanting said box of custard creams.
Next I Don’t Like Men in Uniform enters .
Again I can’t help think of Squeeze. There is a storytelling Chris Difford like vocal delivery.
Swansea Sound employs a bit more guitar drive/distortion on this track than any random classic Squeeze song. Chugging palm muted intro, subdued at first then opening up into a louder more exuberant breakdown? Very fun times. Although I strive to be apolitical, it’s okay to agree with this title.
Title track, Twentieth Century is another single to release. Honestly as good as this song is, I think most of these songs are single worthy. However Twentieth Century has some key features. Parts in which the playing comes in and out, soft and loud, Stops and go ‘s. Moody string bends and solid strums and beats.
I Made A Work of Art sounds like early Clash ( maybe the track Janie Jones? ) meets the 90’s guitar pop’s offspring. Such as aforementioned Talulah Gosh and similar. Guitar harmonics give the chunky guitar chops a lighthearted tonality. This doesn’t take away from how this still hits hard. The musical equivalent of getting hit hard and fast but with a pillow. It still gets your attention, right ?
The punk influence is obvious but it would be foolish to not hear stuff like Tiger Trap and other bands from the 90’s who found similar tonality. See also C86 genre, Sarah Records, Summershine etc if you please. I may be suspicious of one who can not find some merit in this track. More crafty pogo like bounces and edgy rhythms.
Speaking of groove.. Markin’ It Down may be the grooviest piece of music on here. It’s definitely my favorite on Twentieth Century if I had to pick just one song.
Opposing juxtaposition of hard meets soft . Rollicking and lively bass and thumping drums set the backdrop for retail storytelling that is far from boring or drab. It’s all in the delivery and presentation.
Subject of the track appears to be a record clerk and customer having a talk over what is in stock. My words fall short. The way the band pulls this off makes we want to hear it over and over. Again call and response done effectively and proper. Go here to see what I’m babbling about https://swanseasound.bandcamp.com/album/twentieth-century
The backing ‘whoa oh oh ‘ are classic. You hear this type of thing over and over in melodic music of the last 50 to 60 years up until now. They way the band sings it though, fresh and clean as line dry sun soaking linens. Yours truly means this earnestly and would not try to pull a fast one. The chorus provides a harder counterpoint to the catchy call and response verse. If you do not agree I personally eject you from listening to music.
It’s like chocolate and peanut butter. Peas and carrots etc. So different and yet superbly complimentary.
Punish The Young offers an introspective sentiment and less overt effervescence. The energy is subdued but still effective. This doesn’t make it any less enjoyable, in fact it helps Twentieth Century highlight its many faces of indie guitar pop. A distorted guitar riff offers weighty and percussiveness that contrasts against Hue’s melodic vocals.
Far Far Away is more of the quality songwriting found on the Twentieth Century album. Possibly with a melancholy twist that is somewhat subtle. There is a bop and bounce that I can’t deny.
Greatest Hits Radio has a familiar beat and guitar twang. If you listen to Blur’s There’s No Other Way.. this song could be a modern cousin or other relative. Satisfying vibrato – ed out guitars phase in and out.
The interlude captures a past sound I cannot place. You have to hear for yourself. Dare I say for some reason, first listen I thought of McCartney and Wings. Of course that is my perception.. safe to say. If you listen to lots of music that comes before Swansea Sound, you may hear your own parallels to other bands from other decades.
Amelia’s voice combined with the pulsing throb of the bass drum adds a satisfying tension.
Pack the Van closes out Twentieth Century. After quite a many upbeat jangly numbers, Pack The Van brings you down a notch. The opening chime of the guitar reminds me of Le Jardin De Heavenly (Heavenly) As heard on the track So Little Deserve and others from their catalog. Again if you made it this far and don’t know of the bands mentioned in this piece, you’ll dig these songs and band. Pack the Van not beinng an exception. Hue nails the singing again. The melody can easily burrow into your ear canal like those parasites in Star Trek II – Wrath of Khan.
In conclusion, Twentieth Century is infectious, indie guitar pop that should hold up, regardless of year or decade . Essential for any power pop / indie listener.