The Swigs – Johnson Family Values

The Swigs: Johnson Family Values (CD), Holger Bachmann, Heavyhardes Deutschland 10/25/2011

The Swigs in 2010 gave us a more than useful debut in Let it Come Down, and now they push the envelope further towards the perfect LP.

“Johnson Family Values” (what that has to do with Johnson and Johnson, only the gentlemen know) serves up once again the unmistakable distinctive guitar sound of Chief Kevin Henderson, who charges anywhere in between Mountain, Led Zeppelin, and Thin Lizzy. The whole thing is supported by the exquisite bass lines of bassist Eric Snyder, rounded out by Mike Troupe at the shooting gallery.


The guys present here a good mix of original compositions, which mix a fine blend of 60s riffs and 70s punk attitude (“Transmissions”, “Raw Little Animal”, the instrumental “Wasted Waitress Waltz”), and covers of, shall we say, obscure numbers by better-known groups –such as “Let Me Sleep Beside You” by David Bowie, “Downtown Lucy” ahead of the Stones and all the ’97 single “Alone,” the inimitable Bee Gees — all of the songs are given an original Swigs Makeover, the latter appearing to demonstrate that the Gibb brothers can still pull viable melodies out of a hat. As a special treat, “Omas Ludvig” is a Swigs-ified version of a Swedish folk song.

It is produced through the dedication of Master Henderson (who wrote us a handwritten letter, very attentive!) to 100% Analog 16-track tape, which makes for a very authentic sound. Guest musicians round out the presentation, including Vicky Brown (electric violin) and the Local Heroes Tucson Silver Thread Trio as backing vocals gear.

For purists, there’s the whole thing as 140g vinyl – mandatory for all who are serious about the 70′s flair. Just fine for this fraction.

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