Albums by this artist

99th Dream (1998)

Mezcal Head (1993)

Swervedriver

99th Dream

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» PAUL FOREMAN | STAFF WRITER

Swervedriver 99th Dream Zero Hour, 1998 RiYL: Oasis, My Bloody Valentine, Sugar, Jesus And Mary Chain, Ride

Few bands would have made it through the insulting treatment Swervedriver endured while attempting to release its long-awaited fourth LP 99th Dream. Heralded since its Raise debut for its ability to max-out the sonic possibilities of the guitar, the band waltzed out of the shoegazing era with another brilliantly hard-hitting record (Mezcal Head) before tripping across reams of record industry red-tape.

The excellent Ejector Seat Reservation never even made it to the shores of the United States and, adding salt to the wound, Geffen dropped Swervedriver without releasing so much as an EP.

Nevertheless, 99th Dream finally arrived on the Zero Hour label in the spring of 1998 and proved well worth the wait. A Link Wray-style surf riff opens the title track, a melodic swell of highly-polished wah-wah and a bass groove reminiscent of the band's past sonic glories.

Without abandoning the layered and often obtuse sounds of past records, 99th Dream aims more often for pop-sensible melodies, best exemplified by the acoustic-based number "She Weaves A Tender Trap" and summertime sing-along "These Times." But the record's true centerpiece is the elegant epic "Electric 77," matching Adam Franklin's spiraling vocal pattern with a fuzzy guitar line. A Theremin paints an eerie background and a Vibra-slap accents the slight gap between each chorus and verse.

Aside from "Wrong Treats," which beats Oasis at its own melancholy, and the grand finale "Behind The Scenes And Sounds Of The Times," the last few tracks are something of a letdown. Nothing really reaches the heights of Mezcal Head's classic closer "Never Lose That Feeling/Never Learn." Still, this is a solid album, which is cause enough to celebrate. Greet 99th Dream with open arms.

PAUL FOREMAN |