Artist – The Swell Season
Album – Strict Joy
Release Date - October 27, 2009
I got a hold of this album through a Christmas White Elephant game in January this year. I was excited when I unwrapped it and surprised that I retained it without anyone swiping it until the end. I knew of the Swell Season, but never actually heard any of their material under that band name. I am a huge fan of the movie and the soundtrack “Once” which features Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova which happen to also make up the lead components of The Swell Season.
Review
On first listen of the Strict Joy disc, I have to admit that I was greatly disappointed. I was looking for and expecting the sequel album to the Once Soundtrack. It lacked the emotional screaming by Glen. It seems he took a chill pill and dialed it down to the mellow level of Marketa who counterbalanced him in Once. Her songs on Strict Joy are more fitting of the work she did on the Once Soundtrack, and she almost steals the show on this album with the few songs she leads.
I gave it another chance and every time I went from front to back of the album I liked it more and more each time. I started looking at it as a Swell Season album instead of a Once part 2 album and I quickly appreciated it more and more on each listen.
Breakdown Review of Tracks
1. Low Rising – Medium tempo blues song by Glen
2. Feeling the Pull - Up tempo acoustic Irish Jig by Glen
3. In These Arms - Slow acoustic by Glen. Mostly in his low whisper voice.
4. The Rain - Acoustic Rock by Glen similar to the Once style
5. Fantasy Man - Acoustic Ballad by Marketa. Has unique timing and lyric structure.
6. Paper Cup - Slow acoustic by Glen in low whisper voice
7. High Horses - Acoustic Rock by Glen in low whisper voice
8. The Verb - Acoustic Rock by Glen similar to Once style with elements borrowed from Sufjan
9. I Have Loved You Wrong - Slow Acoustic Piano by Marketa ending in acapella harmony bridge
10. Love That Conquers - Swingy Acoustic by Glen and Marketa in Harmony
11. Two Tongues - Slow Acoustic Rock by Glen in low whisper voice
12. Back Broke - Slow Acoustic by Glen in low whisper voice
My top 3 favorite songs on the album
1. I Have Loved You Wrong
2. The Verb
3. The Rain
Conclusion
I would recommend this album to people who have an interest in Indie music, but I would caution them against expecting the sequel to the Once Soundtrack. It will definitely be staying in my rotation for awhile.
Bottom Line – This album is Swell
