Swearin' - Fall Into the Sun

Swearin is a Philadelphia-based Punk group, lead by Allison Crutchfield (sister of Waxahatchee's Katie Crutchfield). I first heard about these guys around the time of their 2014 "What A Dump" EP.  This was a pretty decent, short and sweet EP.  Running about 11 minutes there was plenty of emotional performances and sweaty verses.  Not to mention, I felt like Allison was a pretty dynamic frontwoman, I just needed to hear more. Now with 2012's "Swearin", the band took an extra 10 minutes and honestly came off so much more concrete.   The music here was so much more energetic and well produced, and the band's personality was coming through so much more.  Not to mention, the material here was legitimately pretty wild.  2013's "Surfing Strange" was another big leap in the band, as the band brought in a much cleaner, yet still wild sound.  There were some nods to Indie Rock and some throwback Noise Rock as well.  Also, Allison gave over some of the vocal duties to Guitarist Kyle Gilbride.  And honestly, it was the most compelled I'd been with the band yet.  I'm not saying there was anything wild to write home about.  But Swearin had energy, and Allison absolutely had her sister's songwriting talents.  Swearin' are back, and honestly sound right about where they should be.  Let's talk about this new album.

This album starts out with “Big Change”, a very quiet and reserved intro.  But with the Crutchfield sister, you can’t be too shocked by that.  Allison sounds pretty damn solid, her songwriting has certainly gotten better over the years.  But I’m sort of iffy on this intro, I just want them at this point to get the ball rolling.  Like, this literally takes half the track just to get going.  And it’s a shame because this one turns into this very crunchy and impactful Punk jam.  It’s groovy, gnarly, and certainly has a whole lot to teeth even if Allison’s performance is so sweet and blissful.  I just wish this was more direct.  “Dogpile” is once again another very average throwback tune.  I can’t stress this enough, if you’re into 90’s Alt bands like Dinosaur Jr. and Built To Spill you may be something you’re into a whole lot more than me.  Kyle Gilbride takes the leas here with Allison on backing vocals.  And yea, it’s a sweet tune, and there’s plenty to like.  But there’s almost nothing about this one that really grabs me and latches on.  These deadpan vocals and hypnotic bass aren’t bringing me back for round 2, I just can’t dive headfirst into this.  But with “Grow Into a Ghost” we actually get a little bit of grit finally, and I feel like I can start really talking about this album.  I actually really love the focus on guitars and catchy riffs.  It’s crazy sometimes just how much Allison sounds like Katie.  So if you’re into hearing Katie but with a little more punch, this is actually a really interesting Punk tune.  The instrumental isn’t as wild and sweaty as we’ve heard in the past from these guys, this album overall is a whole lot more polished.  But still, this is a really decent tune that's very catchy and memorable.  It may not be the most revolutionary sound on the block, but Swearin’ play it well.   It’s actually really weird how I keep forgetting this isn’t a Waxahatchee project, because let me tell you, “Margaret” sounds like one.  Obviously, it’s one of the more guitar-driven tunes, but I still can hear Katie playing this.  But Allison has just as good of a voice as Katie at times, especially here.  Trust me, this one is catchy, and has some really sharp songwriting too.  Now, I actually don’t think the more polished vibe here comes off as terrible.  Like, at first I was a little disappointed with it, but in moments like this Swearin’ sound really good.  

“Stabilize” has a little groove to it, which is certainly new.  But If I’m being honest, I’m not nearly as into Kyle’s vocals here.  His deadpan performance and major throwback appeal just come off as way too much of a stretch.  I get it, a lot of artists are going for this retro sound.  But this just seems like he’s trying way too hard sadly.  Like, this ends up coming off as way too much of a Built To Spill cover.  And it’s a shame because I do actually really love the feedback and the griminess.  It’s with more straightforward tracks like “Untitled (LA)” that really end up making me groove.  I actually really love just how animated and wild Allison’s performance is here.  Like, it’s jumping around constantly, but it remains wildly catchy and sweet.  Instrumentally, it’s still very middle-of-the-road, however.  Like, it’s not bad, but I feel like I can hear this anywhere.  But outside of that, this is pretty rad man.  On the other hand, “Treading” is on the slower side and back to a grungier sound.  And once again, I’m just not into it.  I feel like I’m trapped in throwback mode, as Kyle for a change is doing a poor man’s Lou Reed impression.  But even outside of that, this is just so boring and has no heart.  This album just loves jumping around.  And if you’re looking for a “Punk” album you can really write this off completely.  But Swearin’ do show moments of brilliance with tracks like “Oil and Water”.  Now, I don’t want to be that guy, but this just keeps sounding more and more like a Waxahatchee album with more teeth.  But for this album, they actually make it work.  And thankfully, Allison can really write just as good a tune as her sister when she buckles down.  And that’s big for this album because it does make for a really unique sound.  This is a solid tune, even if instrumentally this is still very middle-of-the-road. 

Then we have “Smoke or Steam”, but I have a question.  How are we 9 tracks in and I still feel like this album just got started?  I’m sorry, but I just can’t get over Kyle’s vocals.  They seriously are just so boring amongst this bland, nostalgic Indie Rock.  Now, I’ll give this a little credit, as far as these Kyle-lead tunes this clearly has the punchiest chorus.  But everything else here is just OK.  And let me tell you, the last thing I wanted to hear right now was an honest to fucking God acoustic track.  This sounds terrible, with some of Allison’s least impressive vocals of the bunch.  With everything she DID take from her sister, her ability to sing a ballad she did not.  This isn’t sweet, it’s just boring.  And after that performance, your damn right I’ll take this bland, 90’s nostalgia of a finale that is “Future Hell”.  And honestly, it’s one of the best songs here.  It’s groovy and hypnotic, and for once Kyle doesn’t sound like some tool at a 90’s cover night.  It’s actually a really decent sound for Swearin’, and I would honestly like to hear more.  Not only that, but I really love the dual vocals of Kyle and Allison.  Like, if we got more of this, I wouldn’t be nearly as fed up. 

Rating: 6.9/10

Give A Listen To: “Grow Into a Ghost”, “Margaret”, “Untitled (LA)”, “Future Hell”

Least Favorite Track: “Treading”

Genre: Indie Rock / Punk Rock 

Overall Thoughts:  Allison Crutchfield and company return after 5 years with an album that’s pretty underwhelming.  They’ve come a long way from the sweaty, wild Punk Rock of their youth.  They’ve traded it in for some feedback and some 90’s worship, which more often than not isn’t pretty.  As a matter of fact, I’m not really feeling most of Kyle Gilbride’s performances here.  But thankfully Allison Crutchfield has her sister’s songwriting skills down pact and comes through with some very passionate performances.  The problem is, Swearin’ have a really great sound, but it doesn’t show up too much on this album.