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A band able to capture genuine humor and deft musical skill in the same song is a very rare thing to find. Many claim to be able to do so, but either they go too far one way so that their jokes become crass and the music shambolic, or they are too far the other, finding that the humor falls flat and the music distracts. Yes, it is a fine line to walk. Not only is The Early Swerve capable of walking that line, but they do so more surefootedly than anyone since perhaps The Kinks finest era.
If songs such as “In a League of His Own” brilliantly highlighted their sure-footedness in this area, “I’m Not Walter Mitty” is the sound of them gently evolving. It is still built on their “nu-skiffle” blend of warped brit-pop and raggedy gangsta-folk, still full of wit and wisdom, social observation, and sonic sass. But here, they find extra tones and textures to wrap around their music, not least baroque n’ roll string washes and finessed female harmonies.
This is evolution, not revolution. The song is recognizable as their trademark sound—the same heart and humor, raw edge, and D.I.Y feel—but now it seems slightly lusher, slightly broader, and certainly more emotionally astute.
Some bands look to a scene to make them feel part of something, safety in numbers and all that. The Early Swerve is so unique that it is hard to see anyone coming close enough to them for such a gang mentality to develop. They are victims of their own success, I guess.
It’s a bed they have made for themselves, and not only will they have to lie in it, but I suspect that they will sleep like babies.
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