The Swellers - Ups and Downsizing
Record Label: Fueled By Ramen
Release Date: September 29, 2009
"Wilhelm Scream taught me how to play punk rock.....now we're trying to be Fall Out Boy or something," was how The Swellers' frontman Nick Diener (lead guitar and vocals) so eloquently summed up the band's recent history at their show on the University of Florida campus for the annual Fest event. What might have been even more eloquently stated was a particular fan's response: "What's a Fall Out Boy?!" The Swellers are not your typical pop-punk band. They aren't a New Found Glory, with that perfectly fun-loving mix of hardcore backup guitars, glossy lead hooks, and bratty vocals. They aren't an All Time Low, a bunch of funny guys on stage with instruments who lean toward the pop side of the spectrum and sign to major record labels. And they certainly aren't a Fall Out Boy. What brothers Nick and Jonathon Diener (drums and backup vocals) have put together is a group that takes influence from the better melodic punk rock bands of the last few decades while including insanely catchy guitar riffs and even easier-to-listen-to vocals.
Long-time fans of The Swellers might be surprised with this record, but they surely won't be disappointed. The band's first EP, Beginning of the End Again, released on Search and Rescue Records, was absolutely chaotic punk rock, and beautifully showcased both Nick Diener's tendency for timely guitar solos and Jonathon Diener's relentless drumming. The band followed with numerous lineup changes and their first full length, My Everest, which was met well by the band's fan base as it kept up the punk rock structure while taking the band into poppier territory. Their Fueled By Ramen debut, Ups and Downsizing, is certainly their most accessible record yet; Nick Diener's voice is markedly improved and the melodies are more prominent than on any previous record, with Mark Michalik's production shining through.
Album opener "2009" lets listeners know exactly what they've gotten themselves into right from the start. Infectious as any of your favorite Fueled by Ramen or Drive-Thru Records releases, this track starts the ferociously-paced Ups and Downsizing by giving listeners a metaphoric punch in the mouth with the liberating cry of "Happy New Year, you're dead to me." "Sleeper" and first single "Welcome Back Riders" feature The Swellers putting on a pop-punk clinic, with larger-than-life hooks and booming vocals to match. Nick Diener leads the gang vocals as the band sings of its hometown on "Welcome Back Riders" with fist-pumping lines "These streets are the same to me / These songs won't mean anything without a place to call our home / A place to call our own."
A common theme the Diener brothers home in on throughout Ups and Downsizing is being free, being your own person, and doing it yourself. "Do You Feel Better Yet?" gives listeners a two and a half minute taste of this while Nick Diener plays an excellent lead guitar coupled with a better solo in the bridge part of the song. Title track "Ups and Downsizing" reverts back to the brothers' hometown by giving a real life story about the economic crisis and identifying the troubles that countless families have endured, while keeping another common theme of the record alive: hope. "Now we take what we can get / I have clothes for every occasion now / I know, don’t feel so alone / It’s looking up." The last four songs on the record ricochet off each other in a fantastic end to the album, featuring lyrics on everything from being young and carefree to dying early. "The Iron" showcases a do or die mentality that Tim McIlrath of Rise Against wouldn't mind screaming out: "You came a long way with crutches to save yourself / I know, it’s part of the act / Bullshit, try again / Once you earn some credit you'll spend it, too / No big surprise again / We either do this now, or we don't."
"Dirt" is the album closer about death that the Diener brothers absolutely overpower with their best lyrical effort. There are no words to describe the emotion that this song can inspire in a listener. Sure, death isn't the best thing to think of, but the living will in "Dirt" shows what the Diener brothers are all about: making memories, being a real person, and never selling out. "No funeral / There's not a god damn dime you need to spend / I won't be there to thank you in the end....No production here / So assholes walk around and try to get your sympathy and say / 'I'm glad it wasn't me.'"
A while ago, I wrote in a review of Broadway Calls' Good Views, Bad News that the album of the year title for the pop-punk genre had been narrowed down to their album, Ups and Downsizing, New Found Glory's Not Without a Fight, and Set Your Goals' This Will Be the Death of Us. Well, upon further review, this judge has ruled. With a blend of true punk roots and pure pop-punk hooks, The Swellers have won the rat race and have climbed their Everest. This album has no tunnel vision and fire's away on all cylinders.
Welcome back, The Swellers. I feel better now. (Did you catch what I did there?)
Hello again. Good album, although I believe I prefer the Broadway Calls one...but I also feel I haven't really given this its fair chance. Excellent review. I'd also add This Time Next Year's Road Maps and Heart Attacks to that list of pop-punk albums...but yeah, you hit the nail on the head.
never heard of broadway calls but i have the SYG, NFG, the swellers, and the new this time next year album (that the above poster mentioned) so if they are anything like the others you mentioned then i will definitely give them a listen, great review pal.
I did catch what you did there. Good review, love this record, and I definitely agree with:
Quote:
of the year title for the pop-punk genre had been narrowed down to their album, Ups and Downsizing, New Found Glory's Not Without a Fight, and Set Your Goals' This Will Be the Death of Us.
Dirt is such a great song. I can't stop listening to this album.
Hello again. Good album, although I believe I prefer the Broadway Calls one...but I also feel I haven't really given this its fair chance. Excellent review. I'd also add This Time Next Year's Road Maps and Heart Attacks to that list of pop-punk albums...but yeah, you hit the nail on the head.
yeah you should definitely give it a couple spins, it seems to be right along your list of music. and thank you.
Originally Posted by sleepyseanzzz
never heard of broadway calls but i have the SYG, NFG, the swellers, and the new this time next year album (that the above poster mentioned) so if they are anything like the others you mentioned then i will definitely give them a listen, great review pal.
thanks man. and yeah this album fits right in with the rest of those, you wont be disappointed.
Originally Posted by rawrockroar
I did catch what you did there. Good review, love this record, and I definitely agree with:
Dirt is such a great song. I can't stop listening to this album.
the lyrics to dirt are incredible. i havent listened to it as much recently bu i was really hooked on it and i still think its the best pop punk this year
yeah you should definitely give it a couple spins, it seems to be right along your list of music. and thank you.
Yeah, I've actually been getting into it more since I read your review and am really liking what I hear.
Quick question: have you read either part of Dave Marsh's biography of Springsteen? I'm halfway through the first one, 'Born to Run,' and have skimmed parts of 'Glory Days,' the second one, and they really are fascinating. Check em out if you get a chance...
never heard of broadway calls but i have the SYG, NFG, the swellers, and the new this time next year album (that the above poster mentioned) so if they are anything like the others you mentioned then i will definitely give them a listen, great review pal.
Dude...dig some Broadway Calls. Their S/T is fucking fantastic, and the one they put out this year is almost as good.
I saw it at Best Buy. Love the TTNY avatar...they've really won me over recently.
Yup,I picked it up a few hours ago from Best Buy, last copy! And TTNY's new album has become one of my favorites of the year. Completely caught me off guard, I listen to the whole thing and enjoy every second.
Yup,I picked it up a few hours ago from Best Buy, last copy! And TTNY's new album has become one of my favorites of the year. Completely caught me off guard, I listen to the whole thing and enjoy every second.
Yeah...I just figured they were some shitty pop-punk band that ripped off The Movielife for their name. But those boys know what the fuck they're doing.
Yeah, I've actually been getting into it more since I read your review and am really liking what I hear.
Quick question: have you read either part of Dave Marsh's biography of Springsteen? I'm halfway through the first one, 'Born to Run,' and have skimmed parts of 'Glory Days,' the second one, and they really are fascinating. Check em out if you get a chance...
i have not. ive actually never even heard of them. ill try to get my hands on a copy over winter break though, sounds like good plane riding material. thanks dude.
Yeah...I just figured they were some shitty pop-punk band that ripped off The Movielife for their name. But those boys know what the fuck they're doing.
when i listen to their album, i feel like this is the cd that will lead to their best stuff. like theyve got the right ideas but it could be better executed.
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