Artist: The Swellers
Album: Running Out of Places to Go
Genre: Pop-Punk
Label: Snowbird Songs

Pop-punk music is my favorite genre of music, partially because there are a lot of different styles of pop-punk to keep it interesting. While there is a definite oversaturation that is turning me off to the genre somewhat right now, there is one style that I’m slowly getting more and more interested in. I’m sure there is a technical term for it, but I like to think of it as more adult oriented pop-punk. This includes bands such as The Swellers, a fantastic Michigan based pop-punk band. They’ve never been my favorite band, but my friend Robin and I both agree how they have some real jams that just sound smooth. I took the time to listen to their new EP Running Out of Places to Go, and this sentiment is amplified with a really solid release.

The Swellers sound to me can be easily described as traveling msic. They echo the American road trip to me (and if you’re following all the different reviews I write, I say the same about The Menzingers who have a very similar sound), and they’re something that relaxes me while still providing a sense of urgency. The instrumentation is nothing that truly blew me away, but it just feels very warm. A lot of the time pop-punk is abrasive (and I like that a lot), but Running Out of Places to Go is something that you can throw on at a party to set a welcoming mood.  Don’t get me wrong, there still are the fast jams on the release like “Making Waves” but generally I like the moderately paced tone of the record.

Running Out of Places to Go echoes the title lyrically, talking about living on the road and finding a place that you can call home. This is ultimately exemplified in the title track of the record. I can’t really get over the final lyrics that reverberate at the end of the 15 minute runtime of the album. Maybe it’s cause I was sleeping on couches for a month this summer, but that thankful feeling of someone opening their doors to you is really something that I feel deserves more credit within the scene. In my experience, punk is one of the most welcoming communities where total strangers let you stay at their homes just because of a common background. The Swellers embody the “working-class” punk idea, and I will continue to spin Running out of Places to Go as I work two jobs, take fifteen credits of classes and play in two punk bands. They get the struggle; they get working for what you want. I gained a lot of respect for The Swellers, and I will be delving deeper into their catalog in the coming weeks.

SCORE: 8/10

Written By: Tyler Osborne 

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Tyler Osborne

Live in DC, grew up in PA. I specialize in writing, filming and taking pictures about punk, pop-punk, and hardcore music, and I also have a huge background in film as well. When not on the site, i'm running my own internet radio show, ToZ's Edge Radio (www.facebook.com/tozedgeradio). I also love stage diving and goldfish.

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