Description
The self-titled, sole full-length album by the American indiepop band The Swoon was released on Narrowpath Records in 1990, distributed by Refuge Records through Spectra Distribution. The CD’s first five tracks were recorded March 1989 by Derri Daugherty of The Choir and Dave Hackbarth at Neverland Studios in Los Alamitos, California; with Charlie Peacock producing. The final five tracks were recorded March 1988 by Greg Sotebeer at Johnny Audio in Minneapolis, Minnesota; with James producing for October Production.
The album track “Speak Soft” was later covered by Poor Old Lu on their 1995-EP, Straight Six.
The second half of this collection appeared a couple of years back as ‘ben son ben son Beatrice’, an independent cassette released by Restricted Access, later Access and now The Swoon. The first half, titled “Neverland”, was produced over a year ago by Charlie Peacock in Derri (Choir) Daugherty’s home studio. While the two settings reveal different sides of this quintet from Minnesota, its cohesive sense of direction melds both sides of this fine alternative market debut into a unified whole.
Of course, the Neverland side is better recorded, with richer textures and greater detail in developing the musical themes, but I’m more drawn to the innocent energy of “Beatrice.” Daniel Thomas’ voice and lyrics are to The Swoon what Morrissey was to The Smiths, a vision and guiding light. Of course, their idiosyncratic lyrics, and subtle enigmatic music will draw a select audience, into the college music scene. But that’s all right with the Swoon; and okay with me too, for that matter.
Thomas is supported by co-writer Austin Dacey on guitars and keys, Jeana Gillispie on keys, Troy Baartman on bass, and Emmett Dacey on drums. “Less is more” rules the day, straight-forward rhythms, atmospheric guitars, and simple, repeated melodies connect and make emotional sense. While still requiring some growth and definition, The Swoon offer an elegant and honest introduction that fans of The Choir, Veil of Ashes and violet burning are likely to appreciate. [Brian Q. Newcomb, CCM, August 1990]
CD tracklist:
Neverland
01. Whose Hands Are These? – 4:17
02. Sweet Ally – 4:38
03. Gypsy Street Legacy – 4:09
04. One Day The Passion – 3:45
05. Speak Soft – 5:57
ben son ben son Beatrice
06. I Cried Out – 5:22
07. Let’s Talk About Love – 3:59
08. ben son ben son Beatrice – 5:13
09. Square Dance Candle Light – 6:52
10. Via Dolorosa – 2:35
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Narrowpath Records.
Premiered on May 10, 2024. “Arms of Plenty” – a previously unreleased SWOON song now resurrected from a 1990 cassette recording of a live rehearsal in the 1040 house (Minneapolis). (The cassette recording served only as a master track, and we built on top of it. Vocals, instruments, drumbeats, cymbals, high hat, bassline, guitar riff, beat for beat, were painstakingly recreated in studio. Mitchell also added a rhythm guitar and piano, as we would have done had the song ever gone to studio.)
CREDITS.
Tracks 1 to 5 (Neverland ) were produced by Charlie Peacock. Recorded and mixed at Neverland Studios, Los Alamitos, CA, March, 1989. Engineered by Derri Daugherty and Dave Hackbarth and mixed by Hackbarth. Guy Who Does Stuff: Mark Derby. All music by The Swoon. Executive Producer: Charlie Peacock.
Tracks 6 to 10 (ben son ben son Beatrice) were produced by James (October Production). Recorded and mixed at Johnny Audio, Minneapolis, MN, March, 1988. Engineered by Greg Sotebeer and mixed by Sotebeer and James. Original cover art by Akira Oshima. All music by The Swoon (formerly Restricted Access). Special thanks to Nicole Evans for Square Dance Candle Light. Executive Producer: Charles Clark.
CD Mastered at Fantasy Studio, Berkeley, CA. Cover Photo by David Dobson.
Musicians: Daniel Thomas (Lead Vocals, Bass – tracks: 6 to 10, words), Jeana Gillispie (Keyboards, Backing Vocals), Austin Dacey (Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, compositions), Troy Baartman (Bass, Backing Vocals), Emmett Dacey (Drums). Additional Backing Vocals by James (tracks: 6 to 10).
An advertisement for the label Narrowpath Records, including the self-titled full-length album by The Swoon, was featured in issue #2 of ACM Journal, published in 1989.
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