ALBUM REVIEW: Swellers tease greatness with EP

A sure sign that a band is getting bigger and better is when its songs start to evolve and every track on a release becomes an instant favorite, rather than just a handful. The Swellers, a four piece punk rock band from Flint, Mich., have reached that point in its musical career.

After releasing what most considered the group�??s best album to date last year, �??Good For Me,�?� The Swellers have self-released a 5-track EP titled �??Running Out of Places to Go.�?�

Maybe it�??s the lyrical angst in the opener �??Hands�?� or how the group changes time signatures on the second track, �??Let Me In.�?� Maybe, its the way each song makes you want to break out into a circle pit. Whatever it is, �??Running Out of Places to Go�?� is a sure milestone for The Swellers.

The title-track is where the band truly shows how far it has come �?? in more ways than one. The track starts slow, grabbing attention, and builds up in true Swellers fashion. The lyrics on the other hand, seem to fit the band�??s current state: grateful for the hard work paying off but exhausted from it as well.

The most impressive aspect of this new EP is the fact the group has taken a somewhat common sound, mastered it, and made it its own. It feels as if they kept these songs off of �??Good For Me�?� to perfect them.

�??Running Out of Places to Go�?� has plenty to keep fans excited but leaves them wanting a full-length of more of these kinds of tunes soon.

The Swellers �??Running Out of Places to Go EP�?? Rating: W W W W - Matt Morgis, Weekender Correspondent