Backing up the love fest for Good For Me. Some of Nick's best songwriting and vocals, IMO. Bill Stevenson got a LOT from them during the recording of that record, and I know the band has hinted at the exhaustion and challenge in recording that one. Worth it - that album still contains some of my favorite lyrics they ever wrote. "Warming Up" still gives me the feels. That came out right after my gf and I broke up, and we'd been together a long time so it's that song will always hold special meaning.
Very cool to see this thread get traction. Feet First, Stars, Designated Driver, all some of my favs.
Ah man. I know. I started listening when Ups came out and never really understood how great their lyrics were until Running Out of Places to Go came out. Compared to a lot of other bands lyrics in the genre, Swellers really were above the standard.
Ups and Downsizing is the only punk album in my top ten for all-time albums, and it's a no-brainer. Absolutely phenomenal record. Good for Me is great too, one of those few bands where I actually believe that their biggest(?) single is one of their best songs as well, referring to Best I Ever Had. We sold my childhood home this year and I found myself returning to this band a lot, with that song hitting me in a completely new way. Could never get into Light, and I really dig try. A couple killer tracks on there though, but mostly forgettable for me.
Light is the only album I like by them, but I really want to re-try their earlier stuff! I dig Baggage though, and The Apology Tour's song is sweet.
I think if the production was better on Light and gave the hooks more power it would be better. It's also ridiculous how good the back half of Good For Me is.
I enjoy Light a lot. I can agree on the production part. For me, I just connect with that album a lot more than the others. Got Social, High/Low, Becoming Self-aware, and Should are my jams.
I've been binging these guys tonight after not listening in awhile and holy fuckkkkkkkkkkk they were so good. No question the best band to come from the 09-11 pop punk wave
Dirt has been my jam of the day. Thank you iTunes shuffle for making me love that song all over again.
Got a Facebook notification the other day that was like "The Swellers have posted for the first time in a while" or something. Turns out it was a post for Baggage. Tremendous letdown hah.
I don't think I listened to anything more than just that introductory song, if I heard the whole EP then I've already forgotten it. Maybe I'll throw them on later today.
I'm excited for Baggage's new music. Apparently it's faster music per Jono's posts about the writing process. The Apology Tour is good too. Looking forward to hearing more than two songs from them. So far they remind me of early 2000's weezer. Like Maladroit/Green album era. Hopefully we will see The Swellers in two years on a 10 year anniversary tour for Ups and Downsizing.
for a long time I thought the line in 2009 was "this is my heart on tape" and sometimes I still slip into singing that lol
Ups and downsizing is prob the best pop punk album to come out of their wave. Still consistently floors me
My mom came out to visit and I've been playing these dudes in car rides. She likes them now. Cool mom.