Swingin' Utters

Swingin' Utters: Poorly Formed Poorly Formed (2013)
Fat Wreck Chords

Reviewer Rating: 4

User Rating:

Contributed by: bigmondobigmondo
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Published on February 11th 2013The Swingin' Utters are back after two years with a brand new record and a slight lineup change. Since 2011's Here, Under Protest Spike Slawson, also of Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, has left the band and has been replaced by Mike Peck covering bass duties. Thankfully, the band haven't suffered at .

The Swingin' Utters are back after two years with a brand new record and a slight lineup change. Since 2011's Here, Under Protest Spike Slawson, also of Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, has left the band and has been replaced by Mike Peck covering bass duties. Thankfully, the band haven't suffered at all due to the change and if anything, they sound much tighter than on the previous record, thus making Poorly Formed another solid release from the band.

One of the biggest changes in their overall sound is the increase of backup vocals from Jack Dalrymple, formerly of Dead to Me and formerly (and currently, again) One Man Army. This is something that I am surprised we didn't see more of on the last record, considering most would agree that more vocals from Jack Dalrymple on your record is a good thing. Sadly, Jack doesn't get any time in the spotlight on Poorly Formed, outside of said backups. Also noticeable is the guitar work on the record seems to have more influence from Jack as at times, it feels like I am listening to One Man Army with Peebus singing instead of Jack. Aside from these two more noticeable changes everything has stayed about the same with the band's sound, so if you aren't a fan at this point chances are you won't be won over now.

Though I do want it to be known that this record isn't just "more of the same" as some the best songs the band have written are on here. To put it simply, it ain't broken so the Utters didn't need to fix it. It is also worth noting that the band's folk and country songs have improved greatly to the point where I feel it wouldn't be a bad idea for them to put out a folk album-or at the very least an EP. A few of the more stand out tracks on the album have to be the introductory "Librarians are Hiding Something," the title track, "Sevita Ring" and "The Fake Rat of Dave Navarro."

From beginning to end, the Swingin' Utters deliver a record that doesn't ever let up on the energy or disappoint the listener showcasing why this band has survived almost three decades of making music. One can only hope that this band continue to age as gracefully as they have so far and have at least another decades' worth of music to release.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

jvoland (February 26, 2013)

They absolutely killed it on this one. From the artwork to the songs, it's all great. Too many great cuts to even mention stand out tracks, but I'd like to say that if "Military Barbara Billingsley" doesn't make you smile you're doing it wrong.

Banger (February 25, 2013)

I agree with dangerx3's assessment: their best album since Five Lessons Learned.

forfuksake (February 20, 2013)

Yeah the CD insert is killer

telegraphrocks (February 20, 2013)

Oh yeah. I picked up the physical CD yesterday ,and I'm very satisfied with the booklet. 2 pages for every song (lyrics on one side, artwork for each track on opposite page). This is how all inserts should be.

Such an all-around awesome album.

jimmynorville (February 20, 2013)

Also, is that "asshole" / "casserole" rhyme in "I'm a Little Bit Country" inspired by "Stealing Harvard"?

jimmynorville (February 20, 2013)

Dante, the first verse is pretty ridiculous, but to knock the whole song... that might be the best one, musically-speaking.

Dante3000 (February 20, 2013)

Not knocking the overall album the but opening lines of "Military Barbara Billingsley" make me physically cringe. Actually, most of that song makes me do that.

KevinEleven (February 20, 2013)

I could go for less production on the vocals, but these songs are really good. Jack Dalrymple's is clear, and it gives the band a positive change while still maintaining its fundamental sound. I like this album a bit more than the last one.

forfuksake (February 20, 2013)

I love this record. One of their best

dangerdangerdanger (February 20, 2013)

After listening to this all day yesterday and this morning I have come to the conclusion that this may be my fave Utters record since 5 Lessons Learned.

MN_DrNick (February 20, 2013)

Hey pope of chili town, you're an idiot for that choice of not listening to it.

telegraphrocks (February 19, 2013)

""Sadly, Jack doesn't get any time in the spotlight on Poorly Formed, outside of said backups."

And there goes any desire I had to listen to this album."

He wrote the music for over half of the songs though, which is extremely obvious when you listen to it. Trust us, it's an awesome record!
If you only want Jack's vocals, he does the last 10 seconds of "Pour Beans" and the last 25 seconds of "The Fake Rat of Dave Navarro" very audibly. Other than that, his buttery voice is sprinkled in the background throughout.

blanktapesemptybottles (February 19, 2013)

the most straightforward album they released, wish was kind of a bummer but not at all because it's still the swinging utters

thepopeofchili-town (February 19, 2013)

"Sadly, Jack doesn't get any time in the spotlight on Poorly Formed, outside of said backups."

And there goes any desire I had to listen to this album.

balze76 (February 19, 2013)

Really love this record, think it might be my favorite by them. You can hear the Jack influence throughout, it sounds great.

boxcar (February 19, 2013)

I've always kinda liked them, liked their songs on the Fat comps, liked their music in friends' cars, but I never really considered myself a fan up until "Here Under Protest"...late to the party I guess, as their style hasn't really changed. Love the new one!!!

telegraphrocks (February 19, 2013)

Note: Wow. Many mistakes in this review. Member names, song names... unaware of FTB (apparently), and the amount of songs Jack wrote here.
You'd think a bit more research or proofreading would go into reviewing a record...

Problematiclogic (February 19, 2013)

Just fantastic

telegraphrocks (February 19, 2013)

So fucking good.

So goddamn fucking good.

jimmynorville (February 19, 2013)

Good review, but the new guy is named Miles (not Mike) and Johnny's nickname is Peebucks (not Peebus).

oldpunkerforever (February 19, 2013)

wow this is good, I am a sucker for a good hook, and this is loaded with them-oldpunker-

MN_DrNick (February 19, 2013)

One of the year's best.

CoolHand (February 19, 2013)

Jack contributed a lot to the songwriting this time around, whereas he only played on the last album. This is a phenomenal record, and this is some of the best songwriting I've ever heard.

wahhey (February 19, 2013)

Good Record and review. I think this is a lot more garage-y than anything they've ever done, and if anyone has heard the latest two songs from spike's band the re-volts know that they have taken a hard turn in that direction as well. Poorly Formed and the last One Man Army EP sound like companion pieces to each other in a way to me. And they do have their folk project - Filthy Theiving Bastards, so a folk record or EP would be kind of unnecesarry.