'Rave down' was my introduction to the band so will always be special. I loved that they mix shoe gaze with more US college sounds and it's a 4/5 for me, my #29 of 1991
Blimey! This is a surprising choice for analysis. I remember at one point being quite into this album (many, many, many years ago). Most of it I don't have the patience for anymore, but Sandblasted has remained in my regular playlist for over 30 years now. As an album it hasn't had the staying power as others from the time, but there's just something about that one track that lifts my spirit to this day
I fell somewhere in the middle on this album. I thought it was pretty cool but also agree that the songs were not really the most memorable which hurt things in the long run but there were a few highlights. "Feel So Real" was my favourite song. 3.5 for me. I heard Mezcal Head a few years back and remember liking it so will have to revisit.
This is WHY I’m here, thank you. Listened to “Bloody Valentine” -“Loveless”, Wasn’t born to lose you” & “Raise” for comparison. Unlike the ripping dramatic guitar on Raise these other (2) records are noticeable different, in such a lovely way. The strange and moody soundscapes of Bloody Valentine were delicious and then “Wasn’t born” offers something still different. Liked the music so much I looked up the lyrics to all (3) of these albums because even listening attentively couldn’t clearly make all the words out. Describe his vocal as somewhat “faded” still good but with great Pop vocalists like Bowie, Plant, Cornell, Rossdale the vocal is just as dynamic as the music. A reoccurring theme for Adam Franklin is obviously romantic entanglement, disillusionment, go figure😂
An ambitious band that I never heard of, with a grungy metal sound with a singer who sometimes sounds like J. Mascis, when you can even hear him, from Dinosaur Jr. The guitar doesn't sound as bold as J's and the melodies go murky and repetitive and on too long, rarely hitting upon very compelling melodies but they do have lots of hooks that are good. The guitars, distorted and fuzzy, blend maybe too homogeneously with the other instruments in a wall of sound that is not all that compelling to me. The drumming is excellent. The band also sounds like Queen of the Stone Ages at times, though maybe only to me. One of the stronger recommended bands I've encountered on here. However, even though I want to like them more and i do find most songs somewhat likeable, creative, compelling, atmospheric, and driven, they are not a band that grabs me outright, though I think I should be ready for a lot of rave reviews on here. I am not really into metal-sounding guitars or jamming as much as I want to be. If I was more into these, it would get a higher grade. Still it's a Grade:B (4 out of 5).
Have you ever listened to Curve? They were essentially a shoegaze electronica band. If you enjoy the more melodic side of shoegaze, their 1992 EP compilation Pubic Fruit is essential, as are their first two albums, Doppelganger (1992) and Cuckoo (1993). I never see them get mentioned in the comments on this channel, which is a shame as they are one of the shoegaze bands that focused most on melodies. Just listen to "Split Into Fractions," "Horror Head," "Ten Little Girls" and "Superblaster."
@@echosmyron1278 Thanks for recommending Curve, but I honestly like Swervedriver more and their edge. I am not into electronica, and that is a strong factor here in some of their songs. I did listen to quite a few of Curve's songs just now.
Great album. It apparently features previously EP released tracks which is probably why the first and second half sound different. The second half or side B has more melodic (and imo better) songs. Mustang easily the best track on side A. 4/5
Nice direction! Jason, happy to see you back to your perky self. I’m trying to decide if I should subject you guys to an album from the 80s, 90s or 00s. 🤔 Be ready! 🤣
Love this band and album so much! Thanks for not dumping on it! Agree with Joe that Raise has a superior sound to Mezcal Head. I recently found out that Swervedriver is one of Rick Beato’s all time favourite bands - which I did not see coming.
Mezcal Head is the definitive Swervedriver for me! But don’t forget the mighty Ride when you are talking about Shoegaze! They are so good. They need more love. Keep up the great work otherwise. X
Kramzer put Nowhere in his top 5 albums of 1990 back when they were doing the AOTY series. I think it may even have been his favorite album of that year.
Love me some Swervedriver…as far as I’m concerned they’re the best of the OG shoegaze bands no matter how much more hype MBV and Slowdive have received over the years…saw Swervedriver live several times on the ‘Raise’, ‘Mezcal Head’ and ‘I Wasn’t Born To Lose You’ tours as well as some shows by Adam Franklin’s Bolts Of Melody…I feel like anything that guy touches is gonna be pretty damn good
I didn't expect Raise to be the first Swervedriver album covered on TLM; Mezcal Head or Ejector Seat Reservation would've seemed like much more natural entry points. Raise is their most purely shoegazey record though, and "Son of Mustang Ford" is their most direct shoegaze rock tune ever. Song per song, I wouldn't say this album is quite as strong as Ride's Nowhere (1990) or Mercury Rev's Yerself Is Steam (1991), but it still offers a thrilling sound that's far more enjoyable than the cock rock crap that was clinging on for dear life in 1991. I would also choose it over Nevermind or Ten, two rock albums from 1991 that get much more praise and attention than Raise. I give 4 stars (it's also my 23rd favorite album of 1991).
This one was good but not gripping enough for me. 3.5/5 I think it would’ve benefited if some of the lengths on the tracks were cut down a bit as well.
You only think that because you’re looking at them the wrong way. I don’t think of them as shoegaze and therefore I don’t feel the need to judge them in that category. To me, they’re a pure alt rock band with some shoegaze elements, but that’s not their whole sound. 😎
Great band and album. I was lucky enough to see them live in the 90s and they melted my face.
Discovered your channel very recently and really enjoying your old videos. Like that you appreciate British music so much!
'Rave down' was my introduction to the band so will always be special. I loved that they mix shoe gaze with more US college sounds and it's a 4/5 for me, my #29 of 1991
Also wow, Joe gives it four stars?? Hell yeah, he and I are in sync! Up high, Joe! 🤚🏼😊
Fabulous choice, fabulous album!
Blimey! This is a surprising choice for analysis. I remember at one point being quite into this album (many, many, many years ago). Most of it I don't have the patience for anymore, but Sandblasted has remained in my regular playlist for over 30 years now. As an album it hasn't had the staying power as others from the time, but there's just something about that one track that lifts my spirit to this day
I fell somewhere in the middle on this album. I thought it was pretty cool but also agree that the songs were not really the most memorable which hurt things in the long run but there were a few highlights. "Feel So Real" was my favourite song. 3.5 for me.
I heard Mezcal Head a few years back and remember liking it so will have to revisit.
Yeah, I gave it a 3.75 which of course meant I had to give it 3.5 on RYM.
@@179rich Naturally
This is WHY I’m here, thank you. Listened to “Bloody Valentine” -“Loveless”, Wasn’t born to lose you” & “Raise” for comparison. Unlike the ripping dramatic guitar on Raise these other (2) records are noticeable different, in such a lovely way. The strange and moody soundscapes of Bloody Valentine were delicious and then “Wasn’t born” offers something still different. Liked the music so much I looked up the lyrics to all (3) of these albums because even listening attentively couldn’t clearly make all the words out. Describe his vocal as somewhat “faded” still good but with great Pop vocalists like Bowie, Plant, Cornell, Rossdale the vocal is just as dynamic as the music. A reoccurring theme for Adam Franklin is obviously romantic entanglement, disillusionment, go figure😂
Feel So Real and Pile Up are amazing songs
Love this band! Son of Mustang Ford forever!
An ambitious band that I never heard of, with a grungy metal sound with a singer who sometimes sounds like J. Mascis, when you can even hear him, from Dinosaur Jr. The guitar doesn't sound as bold as J's and the melodies go murky and repetitive and on too long, rarely hitting upon very compelling melodies but they do have lots of hooks that are good. The guitars, distorted and fuzzy, blend maybe too homogeneously with the other instruments in a wall of sound that is not all that compelling to me. The drumming is excellent. The band also sounds like Queen of the Stone Ages at times, though maybe only to me. One of the stronger recommended bands I've encountered on here. However, even though I want to like them more and i do find most songs somewhat likeable, creative, compelling, atmospheric, and driven, they are not a band that grabs me outright, though I think I should be ready for a lot of rave reviews on here. I am not really into metal-sounding guitars or jamming as much as I want to be. If I was more into these, it would get a higher grade. Still it's a Grade:B (4 out of 5).
Have you ever listened to Curve? They were essentially a shoegaze electronica band. If you enjoy the more melodic side of shoegaze, their 1992 EP compilation Pubic Fruit is essential, as are their first two albums, Doppelganger (1992) and Cuckoo (1993).
I never see them get mentioned in the comments on this channel, which is a shame as they are one of the shoegaze bands that focused most on melodies. Just listen to "Split Into Fractions," "Horror Head," "Ten Little Girls" and "Superblaster."
@@echosmyron1278 Thanks for recommending Curve, but I honestly like Swervedriver more and their edge. I am not into electronica, and that is a strong factor here in some of their songs. I did listen to quite a few of Curve's songs just now.
Great album. It apparently features previously EP released tracks which is probably why the first and second half sound different. The second half or side B has more melodic (and imo better) songs. Mustang easily the best track on side A. 4/5
The new The Smile album…🥵
Nice direction! Jason, happy to see you back to your perky self. I’m trying to decide if I should subject you guys to an album from the 80s, 90s or 00s. 🤔
Be ready! 🤣
Love this band and album so much! Thanks for not dumping on it! Agree with Joe that Raise has a superior sound to Mezcal Head. I recently found out that Swervedriver is one of Rick Beato’s all time favourite bands - which I did not see coming.
Mezcal Head is the definitive Swervedriver for me! But don’t forget the mighty Ride when you are talking about Shoegaze! They are so good. They need more love. Keep up the great work otherwise. X
Kramzer put Nowhere in his top 5 albums of 1990 back when they were doing the AOTY series. I think it may even have been his favorite album of that year.
@@echosmyron1278 Yes he did fly the flag for Ride! Miss Kramzer.
Love me some Swervedriver…as far as I’m concerned they’re the best of the OG shoegaze bands no matter how much more hype MBV and Slowdive have received over the years…saw Swervedriver live several times on the ‘Raise’, ‘Mezcal Head’ and ‘I Wasn’t Born To Lose You’ tours as well as some shows by Adam Franklin’s Bolts Of Melody…I feel like anything that guy touches is gonna be pretty damn good
I didn't expect Raise to be the first Swervedriver album covered on TLM; Mezcal Head or Ejector Seat Reservation would've seemed like much more natural entry points. Raise is their most purely shoegazey record though, and "Son of Mustang Ford" is their most direct shoegaze rock tune ever.
Song per song, I wouldn't say this album is quite as strong as Ride's Nowhere (1990) or Mercury Rev's Yerself Is Steam (1991), but it still offers a thrilling sound that's far more enjoyable than the cock rock crap that was clinging on for dear life in 1991. I would also choose it over Nevermind or Ten, two rock albums from 1991 that get much more praise and attention than Raise.
I give 4 stars (it's also my 23rd favorite album of 1991).
sneaker gaze
Now you're talking my language!
Talking defining shoegaze bands without mentioning Ride!
This one was good but not gripping enough for me. 3.5/5 I think it would’ve benefited if some of the lengths on the tracks were cut down a bit as well.
love this band!
2 / 5
Shugäyze on TLM?! Now I've seen everything.
Well certainly post Kramzer
Yes, Mescal Head is the better record even though, as Jason said the production is a bit off, but Swervedriver are second tier shoegaze.
Isn’t all shoegaze second tier really? - Joe
You only think that because you’re looking at them the wrong way. I don’t think of them as shoegaze and therefore I don’t feel the need to judge them in that category. To me, they’re a pure alt rock band with some shoegaze elements, but that’s not their whole sound. 😎
@@curly_wynsame
It has a great alt-rock sound, but nothing sticky.
I don’t see how these don’t stick with ppl..almost all of these songs are memorable to me
@@curly_wynI hum Rave Down out of the blue on any given day
Good review guys. One more thing - the vocalist sounds a bit slacker which might be a turn off to some. I think he's fine though.
I’ll honestly take him any day over J. Mascis as a singer lol
@curly_wyn how many consecutive days is that now with a worse take than the day before? You’re on a hot streak