My next-door neighbour has a penchant for playing death metal loudly in the morning. And the afternoon. And sometimes the evening, too. He leaves his front door open whilst doing so. I once saw him shredding on his guitar in the hallway that separates our apartments. He's having fun, so no harm done, right? That's how I feel about the latest release by Ottawa's New Swears.
The title, Junkfood Forever, Bedtime Whatever, says it all. The subject matter is partying, drinking and smoking, all to the tune of punky riffs and four-part, shout-sung harmonies. As they say on the opening track, "Midnight Lovers": "Real people, real rock'n'roll motherfuckers." New Swears fit the mould of bands like Brews Willis and Tenacious D, goofs with a penchant for punk, party and perversion, but as this is their third LP, they're beginning to realize that spending every day in a daze can be a tad detrimental. "Another night gone, head buried in the porcelain throne...when will we grow up?" the four lads lament on "Stay Gold" and a handful of other songs here.
Of course, it's not all sad epiphanies of aging. The remainder of the record is exactly what you'd expect: Girls! Beers! Getting smashed and smashing things! The one oddball song of the bunch, "Legalize Freedom" plays like a parody of a metal song. Junkfood Forever, Bedtime Whatever is fun (there are handclaps, for goodness' sake), and not for the faint of heart. Someone's got to keep the party going, and New Swears are still keen on doing so.
(Dirt Cult Records)The title, Junkfood Forever, Bedtime Whatever, says it all. The subject matter is partying, drinking and smoking, all to the tune of punky riffs and four-part, shout-sung harmonies. As they say on the opening track, "Midnight Lovers": "Real people, real rock'n'roll motherfuckers." New Swears fit the mould of bands like Brews Willis and Tenacious D, goofs with a penchant for punk, party and perversion, but as this is their third LP, they're beginning to realize that spending every day in a daze can be a tad detrimental. "Another night gone, head buried in the porcelain throne...when will we grow up?" the four lads lament on "Stay Gold" and a handful of other songs here.
Of course, it's not all sad epiphanies of aging. The remainder of the record is exactly what you'd expect: Girls! Beers! Getting smashed and smashing things! The one oddball song of the bunch, "Legalize Freedom" plays like a parody of a metal song. Junkfood Forever, Bedtime Whatever is fun (there are handclaps, for goodness' sake), and not for the faint of heart. Someone's got to keep the party going, and New Swears are still keen on doing so.