A review of our latest EP, Battle Duck 3085 beta, courtesy of Aen/Dwarfcraft Devices:
"There doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason to what record is going to turn me on as opposed to one that I will promptly forget about or delete.
Battle Duck 3085 Beta certainly turns me on, in fact, it's been a long time since I have gotten into a record with the fervor that I am into the EP from my friends in Swing Hailey.
My first experience with the band's music was on a compilation. The track was "Junky Monkey" a song about a drug dealing ice cream truck. Pure fantasy now, considering that the three remaining Swings do not do drugs.
Junky Monkey stood out to me as especially raw and energetic. I knew that the recording quality was largely due to budgetary concerns, but SH does it with such panache that it sounds intentional. Junky Monkey's heavily overdriven grit massaged my brain into ecstasy. The rest of the record sounded similar, but in my not so humble opinion, the singer was poo. Sad but true, when I heard the news that said singer had left the group, I was very excited for the future. I knew that Rochelle's previously underused vocal talents would be able to shine soon.
Later when I heard the news that SH had gottena pro-tools rig, I was worried. I knew the performance would be quality, but would the band sound the same with "pro level" recording gear and unlimited tracks? The nudity of the band's early work was disarming and exciting to me, and it seemed intrinsic to their charm.
Moments into Battle Duck, my mind was at ease. "Drunken Makeout Party" kicks the EP off with a Swing Hailey tour de force, a menacing feedback collage fades in, giving way to speedy drums roaring guitars and thundering bass all behind my favorite brand of "fuck you" vocals. "Fuck you" vocals are defined as this: Vocals hollered into a dynamic microphone at an unorthodox proximity to the mouth hole, creating pops and clips =)
Swing Hailey shows love for Mission of Burma on this track, with chorus and "by the seat of the pants" drums.
If you have the pleasure of meeting Alfredo IRL, you may come to think he is the mellowest dude on earth. This is simply not the case. In reality, he is saving all his power for energetic guitarring.
Track 2 "inside your head" features Rochelle's lovely voice, again very different than her social personality. The vocals ring bittersweet over an updated surf sound from the instruments. This one smacks lightly of vintage Sonic Youth to my ears. Here also the pattern is set for Battle Duck. Goofy song, serious song, repeat.
JUDGMENT is next. SH gets back into the "Just as fast as we can" mode with this ode to Terminator 2. Lets face it, that movie kicks fucking ass. The song also kicks fucking ass. "Have you seen this booooooooooooooiiiiiiy" gives me chills. The song makes me want to party hard. Normally I am very much opposed to novelty songs, but the Swingers do Judgment with such ferocity, it feels like maybe they really are looking for John Connor.
The closer, "Rapid Viz" slows things back down for some more heartfelt Rochelle lyrics. I'm not a lyrics guy, so i can't tell you for sure what this is about. There's definitely some stuff about creations, prototypes, Roach sings to these creations, perhaps tapping into that mad scientist or maternal part of herself. The song also features a slightly dissonant clean guitar breakdown, very pleasing to the ears.
When the EP is over, it is over too soon, as great records always are. Go ahead, listen again. This time listen to the drums, because Mario is beating the shit out of them, and he is doing it better and faster than most guys out there.
Swing Hailey wears it's influences on it's sleeves, referencing Mission of Burma, the Pixies, Sonic Youth in conversation as well as eluding to them on record. They do this in the best way, feeling somewhat familiar without sounding derivative. If I were to complain about the EP at all, I would mention the burying of vocals. Sometimes poor Rochelle's passages in louder songs almost disappear. Obviously more bass and definition from the drums would be desirable in a "pro fancy special money money" type recording, but for the context, I think it works very well."
From the LA BUZZ BLOG:
The buzz in LA this week is sonic-alt-indie band Swing Hailey, hailing from Downey. Fans of nearly everything will find something to like about this band; but especially fans of Sonic Youth, the PIxies, Iggy Pop, all that new pop on 103.1 nowadays, Modest Mouse, Built to Spill, etc, et all. They sound like an aural version of the Bloody Marys at the Golden Cafe in Burning Man: It’s a mix of a whole ton of spices, flavors, and other influences thrown into a blender on a chainsaw in the middle of a crazy party in a Tunisian-style tent in the middle of the desert; everything gets all mixed up together, and the end result is an ethereal, completely tangible yet indescribable heaven to your senses, to live in legend and infamy for the rest of days.
