Anybody who has a band member that beat the crap out of Scott Weiland is ok in my book. Jack White [reportedly] said so himself in an interview after the fight so it must be true*. That aside, Sweet Water has other redeeming qualities, like they are still relevant in a world of ADD musicians and mainstream music divas.Comprised of four of the five original band members, Adam Czeisier,vox, guitar, piano, Cole Peterson,bass, piano, guitar, vox, Paul Uhlir, drums, percussion, and Rich Credo, guitar, glockenspiel, denim, Sweet Water has proven they deserve a spot on our musical radar.
For a couple of guys who jammed in the nineties and boast a history of working with some of the greats in the industry, Don Gilmore from Linkin Park, Dashboard Confessional, Lit, Pearl Jam; Tim Palmer from Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam, Tin Machine, Robert Plant and Dave Jerden from Alice in Chains, Jane's Addiction, it is safe to say they know how to rock like f*ck.
Sweet Water's most recent 2009 release Clear The Tarmac, released on Golden City Records, the label run by Sweet Water guitarist Rich Credo, has enamored their critics and taken their fans by storm. The album is tightly produced, and clean throughout.
With definite Brit pop and power pop influences, there is an edgy urgency in their sound. "Grass is Green" showcases heavy guitar riffs and incredible hooks, "Rock Steady" is a poppy but catchy number with a bit of punk and alternative infusion, "Stereo" kicks off with razor sharp guitar licks and frenetic percussion but the vocals are drowned out a bit and fall a little flat in comparison to the instruments. Truthfully, the lyrics are also a little sophomoric, and I can do without the guitar solo midstream but I'm nitpicking now.
"Dogs at Bay" sounds like an ode to the Irish Prayer 'Wind at Your back", but it's melodically cheerful and is a nice break from the heavy guitars of the previous tracks. "Moonless Tracks", a punchy, head-bopping ditty swings back to alt-pop days of yore with a flash of U2 vocal tendencies. "Hesitation" and "Miss you" start to blend in with the previous tracks and starts to make my mind wander.
By now, more than halfway through the CD, I keep hoping the remainder of the tracks, "Elevator" and "Sneak Attack" will offer some reprieve from repetition. I am not disappointed. "Sneak Attack" is absent of guitar hash, and the punch-drunk lyricism is contagious. I would have to place this as my favorite track.
All in all, Sweet Water has remained true to form and then some. Clear the Tarmac is light, airy, and enjoyable with flashes of brilliance. Worth a spot in the iPod shuffle.
[*according to Wikipedia]
