Customer Reviews

99th Dream

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
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Swervedriver, what can be said? Not enough really, this band has stood the test of time and still continues to put out astonishing albums. This is the import version of 99th dream, a few bonus tracks is well worth the purchase. Basically, if you can find anything from swervedriver that is not already on any of their albums you will be greatly satisfied. 99th Dream is a slight departure from the typical swervedriver sound. Delving more into the finer aspects of mild psychedelia, swervedriver have found another layer under their swirling wall of melodic rock, and they do it with ease! You will find after listening that the group has started to foucus on these finer aspects in the sound, it won't grab you right away like "Mezcal Head" did with it's second track "Duel" but still 99th dream has more of a slowly building appeal, that by the last track you will be completely immersed into this amazing blend of rock. Buy this, go home, turn up your stereo loud and sit back to enjoy the imagery of swervedriver's constantly melodic highway, it's a good ride!

"Get me to the world on time..."

If I were to start out with a statement like " I forgot how amazing Swervedriver were", it would be a lie. I've never forgotten, I just haven't listened to them in a while, being caught up in chasing the elusive dragon of fresh sonics.

I don't even remember what I had been listening to, but immersed in cleaning up my apartment while listening to some music, I accidentally let my media player jump to the next album on my playlist, which as it turned out was 99th Dream. I was totally caught off guard with the euphoric cascades and waves of guitars that is the intro to "99th Dream". I was rendered pretty much immobile as chills repeatedly swept through my body. This single track alone put all the other, newer music I've been listening to into it's place as a second class citizen. Which prompted this review. I actually purchased this album at a show on the tour for 99th Dream. Long time ago.

I used to consider this the ugly duckling of the Swervedriver album lineup. But as an earlier reviewer suggested, this is a band that gets better with age. After revisiting it I have to say that it is just as strong as any other Swervedriver album. This isn't background music. It's music that makes you forget where you are and what you were doing before the first track kicked in. I'd venture that the album is bookended by the two best tracks, '99th Dream' and 'Behind the Scenes and Sounds of the Times' but I'd also state that the trip from A to B has never been more worth taking.

Swervedriver are the type of band that gets better and better with age.

Sadly, they didn't catch on enough to sustain beyond 4 studio lps...but Adam Franklin has continued the arc that began with raise...and culminated with 99th dream...in Toshack Highway (they are also worth repeated listens).

The swervies will forever be one of my favorite bands...and this lp is their much underappreciated swansong. 99th dream, up from the sea and these times are the highlights...weaving textures of sound and fury and pathos.

Call me biased, call me sentimental...just don't call me while I'm listening to my swervedriver cds.

I was always puzzled when back in the days of Raise & Mezcal Head, A&M Records promoted Swervedriver as part of its heavy metal lineup. Other than pushing the volume past 11, Swervedriver had almost nothing in common with metal bands in 1990. Adam Franklin & Co. were too rooted in The Stooges and traditional rock & roll to be a band concerned more with image than music.

Sadly, indie rock fands missed the band's brilliant debut and metal fans rejected the band because they didn't wear enough spandex.

Fast forward to 1997 when Swervedriver reemerges on the small label Zero Hour. They have softened their sound a bit since their debut, but the band still knows how to write catchy psychedelic shoegazing pop...sorta like Big Star meets Ride.

Intertwining guitars and some killer tunes like "These Times" and "You've Sealed My Fate," you'll easily see why music critics have called them one of the most underrated bands of the 1990s.

I think this is a phenomenal album. The songs aren't too short, and it's a lovely mix of melodic riffs and catchy lyrics. I highly reccommend this to anyone.

Swervedriver has been my favorite band since their first release - Raise. Although not many of my friends have given them much of a chance. There songs are very emmotional.It takes more than one listen. Being an artist, I listen to Swerevdriver as inspiration. They rule! I would be interested to know what other Swervedriver fans are into. I recommend Honeyrods, Gandharvas, Janes Addiction, Soul Coughing, Hum, Our Lady Peace, and Self. 99th Dream is my least favorite Swervedriver CD. I only hope there recent record label does not suck the life out of there hard driving blend of distortion rock.

Well, it is the last day of 1998... and I am gonna have to say that Swervedriver's album 99th Dream is the best release from 98. I really love this CD. I mean, it has its weaknesses, but it is really spectacular. It seems like a really nostalgaic record, for some strange reason. Songs like These Times, Wrong Treats, and Behind the Scenes of The Sounds & The Times are like looking into the past. It's really hard to explain. I would have to say my favorite song on this CD is She Weaves a Tender Trap. It is slow and beautiful, but has a killer hook... it's one of the best songs I've heard all year! Other than Bad Religion's No Substance (a great punk rock record by a great punk rock band), this has been a pretty disappointing year. Thanks Swervedriver, for saving music!

If you don't have this album it is a must, this is Swervedriver at their creative peak.

Every SWD album is very different from its predessessor, its predecessor, its pre, the one before it!! When you leave the table wishing there was more food to eat is when you know you have tasted excellence. Their last album is no exception and you just hope for a secret track that isn't there!! SWD should have been a monster band (with success) but ended up as the unluckiest (record co.s going bust etc) yet greatest kickass rock n roll band going. BUY THIS ALBUM and then go BUY THE OTHER THREE. Listen to Raise through to 99th Dream in chronological order (and if you can get all their b-sides too. Some of their best aren't even on the albums!! And Suede weren't the only band to give you your money's worth on singles either!!) and see one hell of a band giving it layered swirling guitars and great lyrics yet changing the pace to breathtaking effect. This is one fartlek and a half!! Nirvana gave us passion-filled vocals over powerful guitars - SWD give us passion-filled guitars over powerful lyrics and vocals. WHAT A RUSH!!

Arguably the best contact high music being played. Adam Franklin's guitar textures are stunning. I loved Raise and Mezcal Head but I think 99th Dream is their best yet. Best played loud after a good smoke!