Swervedriver, like so many in their cohort, have a long history of lineup changes, the hiatus/reunion aspect, solo projects, etc.
Also like many of their peers, such as My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, et. al., they made, and continue to make, great music: overbearing, squealing guitars drenched in walls of distortion and alternate tunings, with airy, gossamer vocals.
Their newest album in three years, Future Ruins, is a delightful mixture of crashing guitars, desolate synthesizer washes, space-age splashes of liquid effects, and warbling, tidal-wave cacophonies.
The vocals are somewhat stronger in the mix than they tend to be in the shoegaze circles, and they contribute quite a bit of the actual melody, perfectly complimenting the droning, heavier nature of the music.
While their ’90s sensibilities are on full display (shades of Mazzy Star and Smashing Pumpkins paint some of these tracks in that rainy-day melancholy we all know and love), Swervedriver have crafted a densely melodic, chaotic yet peaceful work that shifts between crystalline beauty with glowing harmonies and thunderous, wailing garage psychedelia.
Vast and pensive, Future Ruins is sure to please longtime fans, and is a great place for new listeners to start as well. Do yourself a favor, toss it on, and get lost in the texture.
Rating: 8/10
