Customer Reviews

Catchall

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Catch All by SWAG is a great album.

Catch All 's cover photo is an interesting assemblage of memorabilia by SWAG. It is the sort of stuff we all collect; the personal treasures we can't throw out because they hold our memories. How does this relate to the music? Catch All seems to be SWAG's personal musical treasures. You know, fragments of songs remembered or the feelings evoked by songs.

This is a great album. Catch All is easy to like upon first hearing and over time the album reveals more gems of words and music. Listening to Catch All over a week or two I've found myself humming more musical phrases and noticing words bubbling into my mind.

The music is tantalising and clever. It feels like remembering or recognising old favourites. I can't quite put my finger on a specific resonating song.... and maybe there isn't one. This album isn't a copy of anything. This is modern music acknowledging the influence and inspiration received from music which has come before.

This album is a textured collection with gentle sentimental, rocking, raunchy and some just hauntingly good songs. There are good melodies with well developed instrumentation. These songs are well sculpted. Backing vocal styles are from the `50's and `60's but they are not nostalgic nor daggy. They cleverly fit in, add a fullness to the sound and, in some cases, whimsy and light heartedness.

On another level Catch All can be interpreted as an assemblage of emotion. Although the theme is a relationship breakdown (the good feelings tinged with heartache) this is an upbeat album. SWAG have searched for meaning and come up with thought provoking hope.

I have opinion and comments about each song (because they are all my favourites). But I'll just comment on a few:

`Lone'. It is a silly song but it is so `60's. It has some great instrumental phrases and rhythm which I would love to hear expanded upon some other time.

`Louise.' Don't worry guys, in spite of the thoughtful sensitive approaches to the whole subject there's still a good song about a one night stand.

`You'. A gritty, moving duet with Jerry and Robert (sounding nothing like Diana and Julio). It is distress and anger at not being heard or being considered in the relationship break up.

`Trixie'. Trixie is wistful and slightly teasing in both words and music. There are still fond feelings and memories for the past but it is better to let go. A great song - a caring, considerate good bye.

`She's deceiving'. This is a wonderful, tender song acknowledging that both parties are distressed and in pain. There is an understanding that people do try their best in relationships but sometimes it's just not enough. No one is blamed. (I don't hear any crockery or chairs flying across rooms and smashing on walls.)
SWAG shows their great skill with crafting words. To describe it I have written more words than are in the song!

In summary - I am impressed with Catch All and SWAG. I am looking forward to SWAG's next album. In the meantime I suggest you buy your own copy because my copy is not out of the player long enough to lend anyone.

Message to SWAG -Hey guys, give up your day jobs and do more SWAG.

In a perfect world this album would shoot straight to the top of the charts and spawn a half-dozen top ten hits. Of course, in a perfect world Gangsta Rap, Limp Bizkit and the Backstreet Boys wouldn't exist. Swag gloriously recaptures pop music of the 60's and 70's without sounding like a parody. (Sure, some of the songs show their influences, but it is done in a tasteful and reverential manner.) Big booming hooks, delicious harmonies and killer guitar solos fill each of the 12 songs. Unlike the majority of modern "music", every tune on Catchall is draped in an instantly memorable melody. Songs like Lone, Near Perfect Smile and Trixie will stay in your head for days. In the face of all the tuneless, dreary [stuff] that passes as music these days, Catchall is a testament to the beauty and timelessness of a well crafted song. Fans of the Beatles, Wings, Kinks, Cheap Trick and Todd Rundgren will undoubtedly love Swag. I sincerely wish that all music could be so enjoyable and downright refreshing. This is the best CD of the year. Once you put it in your CD player, you'll never want to take it out !

This cd is way to catchy for its own good. It has been a long time since I have heard music this good, and pure. Nothing world changing, and no overtones, or finger pointing. It is pure and simple, and it is magical. I can't stop listening to it. I have fallen in love with the strings on "Louise." And Tom Petersson's bass on "You" is near perfect. "Different Girl", is the best Brian Wilson song that he never wrote. "Trixe," has the kinks written all over it, and I am in heaven. Yes they sound like their influences and that is what they tried to accomplish. I think this is a tribute to not only music from the 60's, but to an era. Not the hippie drop out culture, but to the era of schwinn bikes, collecting baseball cards, having first loves, and break ups. Coming of age type of stuff. This cd is timeless. If you like pure pop, with real drums, tasteful guitar work, and good walking bass lines, mixed with great harmonies, then this is for you. It does not Rawk, but it does not have to, because it rocks in a cool way. Not in a knuckle dragging way, know what I mean?

SWAG's CD is full of life and is an obvious expression of the artists free thinking independent of their other band activities. This environment has allowed them to create unusually great music! You will love this CD!!

With Pop Music on it's death bed, mainly through the lethal injection of rap music on our culture, it's relieving to hear a band that can not only play an instrument (well) but also create a tune that stays with and is uplifting too! I hear a lot of 60's influence (John Sebastian on Half a Smile, Kinks on Trixie) but is that a bad thing? After all, that was the golden age of pop music, a time when you had to have talent to get recorded.

This is the album of the year that won't win album of the year. Yes there are the obvious influences (Beatles, Kinks, Beach Boys.....is that really such a bad thing???) there are shades of current bands like The Merrymakers, Jellyfish, Myracle Brah and (another Brad Jones produced band) The Shazam. In a musical world full of either kiddie pop or dysfunction-on-my-sleeve MTV fodder this is real music.....thank you SWAG.

I actually bought this CD because of Doug Powell, whose under-heard "Ballad of the Tin Men" is one of the best power-pop albums of the last decade. What a ride! Blissful, beautiful, Beatle-esque tunes waft gloriously from your speakers. Not a bad track on the album. Buy it. But it now. And check out Doug Powell's solo album too. You won't be sorry.

Are you tired of generic boy-band pop? Have you had all you can stand of depressing, e-minor rock? If so, throw this CD into your cart.

The uplifting pop-rockers and McCartney-ish ballads will have you singing along in no time. Swag may be a side project, but I hope they will make a few more albums, because the world needs more good music like this.

I heard cuts from this album on National Public Radio and had to have it! If I hadn't known better, I'd have thought the album was cut by a great garage band in 1967. Since I love the music of 1967, I'm happy. Don't look for innovation here, just kick back and enjoy the experience.

I agree with the other reviewers that this CD sounds a lot like the Beatles, I also heard some ELO influences in the music. I love this CD alrady and can't wait to catch them in concert next month!