Sweet Water
Clear the Tarmac
Golden City
7/10
Some bands hit it big on the first try. Others succeed on the second, and still others the third. Then there is Sweet Water. After cutting four albums in less than a generation, the quartet formerly known as Sweet Water is more than qualified to know a thing or two about the elusiveness of fame. Yet with their new album Clear the Tarmac and a new eclectic sound, the alternative band seems poised to claim their rightful place on the mantle of rock icons. Though the record is uneven in portions and far from perfect, it reverberates with promise.
As if to underscore the point, the drum-heavy opening number “Grass is Green” pulses with a throbbing base and an attitude to match. Though lead singer Adam Czeisler’s lyrics are less than Shakespearean, drummer Paul Uhlir is direct and on point, delivering sonic damage with his Thor’s hammer of drum sticks. On “Rock Steady,” Guitarist Rich Credo recalls his inner Rivers Cuomo, bringing to mind the best years of Weezer. With such comparisons as these, it is hard to deny that the boys from Seattle are hungry and gunning for the top. And gunning they definitely are.
The sound itself is less of a musical tour de force than an accumulation of the band’s musical experiences, from the late 80s to present day. There are hints of the aforementioned Weezer, as well as U2, 90’s era Oasis and even Duran Duran. The result is a both a homage to as well as a fresh take on the band’s legendary influences. Despite the variations in musical styles, the songs are all surprisingly uniform and upbeat, reflecting perhaps the bands hope of a better tomorrow, or a nostalgic look at a thousand bright yesterdays.
While there are a few disappointments- the song “Dogs at Bay” sounds flat and too commercial for this writer’s taste- overall it is an impressive effort for a rag-tag group that’s taken more than a few bouts in the ring, metaphorically speaking. Despite the slings and arrows thrown their way, this quartet hasn’t lost sight of the Holy Grail. That is more than could be said for some acts, which sizzle and fade after getting knocked around a bit. Difference is, these guys know when to dish it out as well as take it.
Though Clear the Tarmac is a far cry from a magnum opus, in terms of the creative energy infused into this record, it might as well be the golden ticket to fun.
-John Winn