Mama, I'm Swollen

Cursive | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 10, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Saddle Creek
• ASIN: B001QVMJWO
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,228 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[A] dizzying range of amped-up hardcore, horn-powered country rock and angular balladry. Cursive haven't sounded this crazed and inspired since their breakthrough album, 2003's THE UGLY ORGAN." --Rolling Stone

Product Description

Ever since Cursive burst onto the music scene with their 1997 debut album, the band has consistently and continually churned out heady albums heralded by critics and fans alike. Wrestling with life's miseries and mysteries, Mama, I'm Swollen is an album brimming with the universal, questioning the human condition, social morality, and the "Peter Pan Syndrome" of grown men.On their sixth album, the quartet proves yet again why "after all these years" they remain one of the most exciting and inventive rock bands today.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cursive delivers a hantingly beautiful album., March 10, 2009

By 

northernvoice (minnesnowta) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mama, I'm Swollen (Audio CD)

Cursive moves in a different direction with their new album, "Mama, I'm Swollen." The veteran musicians, in their eighth release, still make commentary on the institution of religion but do so in a more concise and uniformed way. "M, IS" is a hauntingly beautiful album top to bottom. Tim's strong songwriting abilities seem to have matured even further and the CD booklet, Tim's original handwritten lyrics, is an added touch. Passing on the first track ("In the Now" is a little too catchy and seems out of place on the album), this album features tracks that remain driven towards the same themes but remain enjoyably diverse. Tracks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10 deserve particular attention.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Our hips said it all.", November 19, 2009

By 

Matt Jacobs "Adrenaline" (Trumansburg, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mama, I'm Swollen (Audio CD)

It's looking more like The Ugly Organ was a one-time stroke of brilliance, but Cursive is still a talented and unique indie/emo band that can play a good song. I feel like Happy Hollow hit too heavily on the same message over and over again, and Swollen is more general angst and anger about someone who wonders what his life has become. "From the Hips" is fairly mainstream sounding for the band, but still feels like quintessential Cursive with some clever lyrics as Tim Kasher bounces between morose singing and strained shouting. The album in general is less manic and more downplayed, but there are still moments of intensity and enough interesting things going on in the mellow parts to keep it fairly interesting through out.

"In the Now" is a fairly disappointing opening track, repetitive and monotonous, but after "From the Hips" things are generally better. I like "I Couldn't Love You" even if something about it bothers me subconsciously, and "Donkeys" has similar merits going for it. "Mama, I'm Satan" is one of my favorite on the album lyrically along with having a strong loud part later on, and "Let Me Up" is also solid. "What Have I Done?" is very reminiscent of the powerful "Staying Alive" from the end of The Ugly Organ, which is fine by me because I generally think slow-building songs that explode at the end as the singer is worn out by the effort of his own passion are a good way to end an album. My copy came with a download code for some bonus tracks, two original songs and three demo versions of ones on the regular album. The new songs were cut for a reason and aren't mixed very well, and the demos are forgettable, but it's hard to be bothered by more music. I don't love Swollen but I do like it enough as a fan of the band.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars We're not in Happy Hollow anymore..., April 3, 2009

By 

rap785 (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mama, I'm Swollen (Audio CD)

Let me start by saying this is a very good CD. Unfortunately, it's not what I expected or wanted from Cursive's newest release. I'm a big fan of "The Ugly Organ," and "Happy Hollow" is one of my favorite CDs. "Mama, I'm Swollen" sounds more like a release from The Good Life, which is not a bad thing by any means, but I was really hoping for another great upbeat release from Cursive. The first and last songs were the most disappointing for me (Tracks 1 and 10), leaving only 8 quality songs on this CD. I'd have to say Donkeys (Track 4) is my favorite. I recommend this CD to any fan of Cursive, but especially fans of the Good Life who are looking for something a little more than "Help Wanted Nights."