Going through my crazy end of the year listening there are always a few bands and albums that I truly (re)discover for the first time. San Diego’s Swim Party and their album, Pixie Dust On The Blood Range, is certainly a perfect example of how I can totally overlook an album. After delving into this album a bit more in the last few days, this band actually reminds me of SAL indie pop sweethearts, Pomegranates but perhaps a bit darker.
2008 was an interesting year for me in terms of my tastes. I have determined that I pretty much hate 98% of the bands labeled as indie pop. And I have realized what a bore indie rock has become as well. Nonetheless, bands like Swim Party fall into that rare 2% actually doing something cool within those narrow parameters and catching my attention. The band puts forth songs that slowly seep into you with haunting melodies that The Shins would kill for. However, there is much more going on instrumentally here. Reminiscent of the ridiculously underrated prog-pop of Portland, Oregon’s The Standard, Swim Party are really hitting all my buttons. So, if you like your indie pop with a bit more moody indie rock thrown in, Swim Party might just be a perfect fit.
Genre: Indie/Pop/Rock
RIYL: The Standard, The Shins, Modest Mouse
Label: Self-Released
Parliament Of Rooks
Swim%20Party_Pixie%20Dust%20On%20The%20Blood%20Range_01_Parliament%20of%20Rooks.mp3
