Citizen Swing Shows ‘Deep Down’ Difference

Citizen Swing

“Deep Down” - Self-released CD

What a difference three years makes.

It’s been that long since Citizen Swing released its big-budget, overly hyped CD “Cure Me With the Groove.” The album was big on inflated musical athletics and thin on compelling ideas. It didn’t convince me of the band’s purported greatness. Citizen Swing’s new album does.

Quite simply, “Deep Down” is a great record. It sounds like a bona fide group, not a group of show-offs. It’s more focused than the last project, and it flat out rocks.

Yes, Citizen Swing’s wide-ranging influences, from Chicago blues to jazz, are adeptly asserted, but “Deep Down” is more of a straight-ahead rock album than the previous effort. Judging from the performance, this is obviously the sound the band’s most comfortable with.

“Deep Down” encompasses many sparkling moments. Songs are bolstered by soaring choruses and nicely executed guitar hooks and grooves.

“Forgive” is a passionately sung, bluesy ballad that shoulders off cliche rock power-balladry. The lunging guitar work on “Feelers” successfully baits the listener. Further, the trumpet playing is also quite good.

At times, it offers gentle atmosphere to songs. Other times, it really spices things up.

Citizen Swing really pulled off some amazing working with “Deep Down.” Once again, it just goes to show that the talent from this area of the Northwest is quite capable of producing some excellent music.

Hentch

“Hentch” - Nervous Wreckords LP

An LP-only release is not something you see every day. The only way to get a copy of Hentch’s self-titled debut is is to pick up one of those black slabs of pure analog sound. A record is the perfect outlet for this band’s sonic drive music. Hentch, from Wenatchee, carves out the most striking noise rock west of Spokane’s Cringe.

Appropriately, Cringe singer/ guitarist John Salvo recorded the album at his Jello Tree studio. The album’s nine songs gush with dark melodies and lush noise sculptures. Often, it calls to mind psychedelic rockers the Screaming Trees (circa the late ‘80s) and Truly. Two of the tunes, “That’s the Way it Goes” and “I’m Gone,” dredge up some Mudhoney-esque guitar stylings.

Too bad Hentch broke up shortly after the release of this album, because this band certainly had a bright future in Northwest rock.

Hipnik Jerk

“So This Is Life” - Self-released CD

It’s really hard to put a finger on Hipnik Jerk’s sound. The band’s debut CD, released about a year ago, is likely to confuse any listener. And that’s what makes “So This Is Life” a fun listen.

Hipnik Jerk, led by Firehouse Studio owner Greg Gower, flashes in and out of a multitude of rock genres. Want proof? The title track “So This Is Life” is a synthesizer-driven, ‘60s garage rocker; “Insane Jane and Crazy Rick” is taken straight from the Wall of Voodoo book of new wave weirdness; “Shook Up” has a bluegrass ring to it, and “Ain’t No Time” is an unapologetic ‘70s rocker.

“So This Is Life” is well worth checking out, but don’t count on hearing these songs live. For some reason, Hipnik Jerk seems confined to being a studio project.

National album reviews from Billboard

Dog’s Eye View

“Happy Nowhere” - Columbia

Alternative rock group led by Peter Stuart makes a bold debut after the singer/songwriter’s electrifying road stints opening for Counting Crows, Tori Amos, and Cracker. Set covers gamut of rootsy, modern rock, from soulful, acoustic-laced numbers to full-bore rockers.

Highlights include “The Prince’s Favorite Son,” “Everything Falls Apart,” and “Haywire.” Music that speaks to the heart from an enlightened songwriter.

Speed The Plough

“Marina” - East Side Digital

Fourth album from this New Jersey-based alternative sextet continues to expand its vision of intriguing pop music expressed in restrained, emotionally static terms.

With straightforward songs embellished by poignant vocal harmonies and intricate, usually acoustic instrumentation, the set’s standout tracks include insistent cadences of “Written Each Day” and the dreamy, spectral hooks of “Once In A While.”

‘GoldenEye’ soundtrack

Virgin Movie Music

Those hoping for a grand theme song a la “Live And Let Die” or even “View To A Kill” from the new-generation James Bond film are going to be disappointed. But it’s certainly appropriate for the film, as is the score by French film-score composer Eric Serra. That is to say, the music here is wholly anachronistic, if not ridiculous.

, DataTimes