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FILE UNDER: Infectious pop-punk
The Swellers - Ups And DownsizingAlternative Press - Scott Heisel on 9/22/09 @ 7:00 AM - altpress.com
For pop-punk fans, this summer's Set Your Goals/Four Year Strong tour was like manna from heaven, but after listening to Ups And Downsizing, anyone who missed support band the Swellers (this reviewer included) will be squarely kicking themselves in the pants. The latest release by the Michigan-bred quartet, formed in 2002 by brothers Nick and Jonathan Diener (guitar/vocals and drums, respectively), is pure energy personified and will have you doing air-guitar jumps from the groaning opening blast of "2009" to the breakneck riffing of "Dirt." The only question you'll have, even after just one listen, is why on earth aren't this band already huge. It's just that good.
What makes the Swellers' sound so powerful is that it's not quite like the other bands in their particular sub-genre, so you're left with a rock-solid collection of songs that's perfectly at home with the FYS/SYG crowd, but still unique and memorable. The Swellers tend to lean less on breakdowns and feverish right-hand picking and more on thick guitar tones, yet Nick Diener's vocals are strong enough to soar over such a formidable backing. At times the frontman reminds of Sugarcult's Tim Pagnotta crossed with the All-American Rejects' Tyson Ritter, while at others he comes off like a punkier version of Lit frontman A.J. Popoff (atypical for sure, but a heck of a lot more interesting than yet another Patrick Stump or Jordan Pundik wannabe).
Musically, the band more than keep up with Diener's inspired performance. The herky-jerky drop-tuned power chords of "Fire Away" give the singer no choice but to belt as if his life depended on it, while the rhythmic urgency of "Sleeper" is like downing a pot of black coffee after several pints too many. The only time Downsizing slows down is for the acoustic brooder "Stars," but it's a welcome, if not entirely winning, pause for air. Otherwise, Downsizing moves along at near breakneck speed, and you'll find yourself hitting "repeat" rather than "skip."
So pop-punkers take heed: Immediately free up some space on your iPods. With Ups And Downsizing, you just found your new favorite record. (FUELED BY RAMEN) Brendan Manley
GO DOWNLOAD: "2009"
Official Website: http://www.fueledbyramen.com
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