Swimming - The Fireflow Trade [Album]
 

Don’t be fooled into thinking that the first song on The Fireflow Trade, “Panthalassa”, sets the tone for the rest of the album. “Panthalassa” is probably the poorest effort on this otherwise very highly rated album from Nottingham rockers Swimming. It is odd that they decided to start the album with a song that really doesn’t match the mood of the rest of the album, but I suppose that Swimming believed that things should get better as time goes by.

Consisting of five members, two of which are the Sampson brothers and ably backed up by their band mates, Swimming are a band of high merit. Their infectious, rolling and ever building music has the ability to influence, torment and energise, while at the same time holding a good deal of restraint that begs the listener to venture to a live show for a much needed release.

On listening to The FireFlow trade I have to say that there are really only two poor songs. The rest of the album is sublime. Track Two “Tigershark” has a lovely double kicked drum beat, a rolling, rumbly bass line coupled with a distorted lead line that gives the song an edge. The middle section of this album, from Track Two all the way to Track Six, “Crescents” is really strong, and I am sure that Swimming are destined for a wide audience and a loyal, loving following.

Given that the album was produced and engineered by front man John Sampson, you start to realise that Swimming are the full package. When you hear Track Four “Ease down the river” with its delayed guitar effect and a well reigned in lead vocal, you start to hear shades of an early U2, yes the Joshua Tree U2. High praise indeed.

Swimming raise and lower the tempo throughout "The Fireflow Trade", bringing the listener on an epic journey of high quality stadium rock. Throughout "The Fireflow Trade" you get the impression that Swimming are a modest bunch of guys, that just want to please you with their music.

Track Six “Crescents” is one of the best Rock songs I have heard in a while. Crescents builds and builds and harks back to early Depeche Mode is its driving, epic nature. It has to be said that most epic rock songs are built on the foundation of an excellent drummer and in Peter Sampson, Swimming have one of those drummers who know how to play “slower, but faster” – a model of drive, emotion and groove.

"The Fireflow Trade" hints at a bright future for Swimming, as Track Eight “Fireflow Trade” shows a more progressive and experimental side to Swimming that I am sure will be explored deeper at both their live shows and their next recorded projects. The final track on the album dives deeper into a darker rock sound, almost grunge, with a simple but effective filtered down vocal.

Swimming are an excellent band, and they have self-produced an excellent album. They are deservedly busy this summer, and I am sure that next summer will be even more hectic for them. The only thing that I can really criticise is their choice of first song.

SWIMMInG on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads

SWIMMInG// Tigershark from swimming on Vimeo.