Customer Reviews

Swimming Plus Singles

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm sick of lazy critics writing off all Factory-related bands as Joy Division rip-offs! These halfwits fail to see the Factory scene as a loose conglomerate of artists with a similar, modernist approach to music. A defining force for this scene was the late producer Martin Hannett, whose profound influence on the *sound* of post-punk came from his radical use of the studio as an instrument. To compare the Names to Joy Division as a convenient stylistic reference is one thing, but to brand them plagiarists overlooks Hannett's role in shaping the sounds, as well as the overall vision that many Factory/Crepuscule/Benelux bands shared.

This CD collects all of the Names' output from the early 80s. "Swimming" itself isn't an exceptional album, but the inclusion of stellar singles "Calcutta" and "Nightshift," and other bonus tracks, more than makes up for any weaknesses in the original LP.

The sound is classic Hannett: sharp and crisp, drums and bass high in the mix, with treated guitar and washes of synths pushed out to the edges, creating an atmospheric, hypnotic swell. Most songs feature catchy but understated hooks, and the various sounds/tones employed suit the melodies perfectly, resulting in lush, colorful textures. Songs like "Floating World," "Fire," and "Life by the Sea" are breezy, attractively melodic, and haunting. Comparisons to Magazine aren't off the mark. However, the Names might actually be *better* songwriters, if only because they avoid Magazine's overzealous, prog-like tendencies and focus more on space and color.

The singer's mopey, monotone hampers things at times and a few of the songs drag, but if you dig Magazine, Joy Division, early 80s Cure, Stockholm Monsters, the Wake, etc., you should give this a listen. Oh, and the cover by in-house Crepuscule artist Hennbert, rules.

The Names were one of the most obscure bands to record for Manchester's Factory label, but their ethereal sound had a profound and direct impact on everything The Cure recorded after 1982. This close-to-comprehensive disc collects their lone album: 1982's Swimming, a few A and B sides, and two self-produced outtakes. Though the quality ranges from astonishing to mediocre, fifteen of the seventeen songs on this compilation received the magically digitized production touch of the mysterious Martin Hannett.

Apparently Hannett refused to listen to any of the band's demos, insisting instead that they perform the material live in the studio while shaking their instruments. This gives the music a hazy, almost narcotic quality. As he did with Joy Division, Hannett changed the texture of nearly every instrument by delaying the sounds for little fragments of milliseconds. The timing of each note remained perfect, but the songs themselves emerged from the mixing desk with a weirdly unique, inorganic feel about them.

Hannett also convinced the group to approach their debut LP conceptually. The up-tempo, piano-inflected numbers appear on what was the first side of the record, while the dark, nocturnal pieces follow on the second. On side one, the listener feels like she's swimming, on side two, like she's drowning. Between each song, Hannett inserted the digitally manipulated sound of water coursing through pipes. Intriguingly, the way in which the motion of the fluid is recorded makes it seem solid, metallic, and clunky. My biggest complaint is that the compiler of this reissue upset the flow of the album by placing non-album tracks without the water segues between the two sides of the original record.

A handful of uneven songs aside, Swimming + Singles is a really worthwhile release and testament to The Names under-recognized importance.

I wont lie, I originally bought this CD because I wanted anything that I thought might sound like Joy Division, and from what I read in reviews, the Names did. But having listened to this album roughly a thousand times, I know now they dont really. The same style, yes, but they have their own original sound. They do have that same energy and emotion, the yearning for something impossible. This is an incredible album. And its readily available despite what ..., email me and I'll point the way to where.

Have you ever asked yourself, "What would have happened if Robert Smith and his boys (The Cure) had gotten together with Ian Curtis and his boys (Joy Division) and put some songs together?" Well, that's the sound that Belgium band The Names captured. They had a rhythm section like Joy Division on Closer, and keyboards, vocals and overall atmosphere like The Cure on Faith and Pornography. It really is a shame and a mystery that this Factory band had been looked over by both the critics and music lovers (I keep the two compltely separate on purpose). Unfortunately, because they were on Martin Hannett's Factory label, they were written off as "just another Joy Division copycat." This couldn't be further from the truth... Just one listen to this album and you'll realize that - though they can be compared to Joy Division and early Cure - they have a sound all their own.

They are several standouts on this collection. "White Shadow" (my personal favorite) is a somber, reflective, atmospheric piece that is reminiscent of "All Cats Are Grey" from The Cure's Faith album. The tracks "Nightshift" and "I Wish I Could Speak Your Language" are the highlights here. The upbeat yet somber atmosphere, combined with the catchy riffs, will have you hooked.

If you like The Sound, The Cure, Joy Division, or any of the other sorely overlooked atmospheric post-punk bands og the 80s, then you will want to look these guys up. Trust me...

Everyone reviewing this album did a very good job but I'd like to add that The Names are far more comparable to New Order's first album "Movement" then to anything Joy division did - I must admit that I would sometimes get "The Wake" and "The Names" confused because their sound is very similar (the Wake being the more "pop" sounding of the two). This CD will fit nicely next to your "A Certain Ratio", "Crispy Ambulence", "Section 25" and "Eyeless In Gaza" albums...

if you like things like early cure and new order, or any other early eighties bands of that style, i would really reccommend the names! as a matter of fact, i was blown away when i heard them... its hard to believe they are so obscure. The only reason i didnt give this cd five stars was because there are a few weak songs, but wow, the good ones are just amazing!

Great album. Be sure to check out their complilation CD, Spectators of Life, which I like even more!