The Swellers - Running Out of Places To Go

The Swellers - Running Out of Places To Go
Self-Released
Release Date: October 16, 2012

It may surprise some people to find out that The Swellers have been around for ten years now.  Although the band has been around for a decade, they continue to release music that sounds as youthful and full of energy as many of the younger bands they are associated with.  After four full lengths and a handful of EPs and 7"s, The Swellers are going the DIY route for the first time since their debut album, End of Discussion.  Their latest EP, Running Out of Places To Go, is a continuation of the band's high energy punk rock, while retaining a certain maturity that a lot of younger bands haven't mastered yet.

The first thing that listeners will notice on the EP's opener, "Hands," is that they have gone back to the faster, punk based sound of their earlier material, while still keeping the straight forward rock influence from their latest album, Good For Me.  The song is catchy, fast, and exactly what we've come to expect from The Swellers.  "Let Me In" starts off a little softer, before blazing into full speed.  Jonathan Diener's drum work stands out, being equal parts aggressive and creative.

"Bad For Me" builds on the incredible formula that made "Best I Ever Had" one of the band's strongest tracks.  The leading guitar riff is a league above most of the band's other work, filling the empty space with ever catchy "ohs" before launching into the powerful chorus.  "Making Waves," the first released track from Running Out of Places To Go, brings to mind 2009's Ups and Downsizing.  The song has that punk edge that wasn't very present on Good For Me, but is still friendly enough for those into the band's rock sound.

The EP closes with "Running Out of Places To Go."  The docile pairing of Nick Diener's vocals and guitar lets his signature voice shine.  The track never picks up the speed found on the rest of the EP, but it works as the perfect closing track.  Every member of The Swellers sounds at their best, but Nick Diener surely takes the lead in this one.  "I miss my bed, but I can't remember how it feels compared to yours or any other. Thank you for letting me into your home," is chanted by the whole band as the EP draws to it's end.  The gang vocals prove to be one of the catchiest moments The Swellers have accomplished yet.  "Running Out of Places To Go" is by far the strongest closing track The Swellers have written, leaving the listener completely satisfied.

While a lot of bands tend to sound washed out and repetitive after a decade, The Swellers sound as fresh as ever.  Where their Vehicle City Blues 7" might have made fans think they were heading into fast, punk rock territory, Running Out of Places To Go sees the band building on Good For Me, with hints of their older work.  The EP contains some of the band's most memorable moments, a strong feat considering the size of their discography.  We can only hope that Running Out of Places To Go is the beginning of another great ten years.

8.5/10

Pre-order via The Swellers Bandcamp