#427. Duel by Swervedriver

From the album album Mezcal Head (Creation, 1993).

Let’s get something straight first. Swervedriver is my all-time favorite band, somehow taking over the 18 year reign of the Clash circa the new millenium. When I inform people of this, I usually get a “huh?” type reaction. “Who? SCREWdriver?” Most people believe I’m listening to some difficult, pummeling thrash outfit AND that I am picking them as my favorite band in order to be an esoteric ass with a perceived detachment from the mainstream (I might actually represent that descriptor at times, but that’s not why Swervedriver is my #1).

Okay, so, to those people who are presumptuous about my motivations, and suggest I am being a holier-than-thou indie snob: Shut it. Swervedriver is my favorite band because they earned the position. They worked their way (slowly and steadily I might add) into the heart of my musical consciousness over a period of ten years and took a firm, unshakeable hold over the musical crown. I suppose if Arcade Fire put out two new albums and a SLEW of EPs and singles with superior b-sides --- well, maybe they could challenge the title in 5 years, provided Swervedriver stay defunct. There are a total of nine Swervedriver songs on the Top 500 list, tying The Beatles and more than The Clash, REM, U2...so you know I’m serious.

So this is about Duel. Duel represented the commercial apex of Swervedriver and some would say the artistic apex as well. This is a matter of debate. Swervedriver fans are the most devoted I have ever seen, and also some of the coolest, nicest people you will ever have the pleasure of knowing. They also tend to disagree on the favorite album question. I would, however, suggest that the majority of Swervedriver fans place Mezcal Head as the “best” Swervedriver album, where it all came together into glorious triumph of swirling, psychedelic 90’s rock. (Incidently, I’m in the clear minority, favoring 99th Dream. This is upsetting to some people).

Duel was the first single off the album and got the band its first serious airplay, at a time when bad 80's metal had mutated into the 90’s grunge that took mainstream radio by storm. Radio didn’t know what the hell to do with all these bands that suddenly appeared on major labels and many dutifully switched formats as the dollar signs appeared. The labels themselves floundered about looking to sign the next big thing – akin to dragging a 10 mile-wide net through the ocean. Swervedriver were on the respectable, higher-end British indie label Creation (housing acts such as My Bloody Valentine, Ride, the Boo Radleys and, later, Oasis), and a subsequent deal with A&M gave them North American distribution, supported by tours with the Smashing Pumpkins and Soundgarden.

I provide all this early 90s context because, in retrospect, Duel stands out above so many of the admittedly great songs that came out in the early 90s. Put Duel up against radio hits of the time, like “Alive” by Pearl Jam, “Nearly Lost You” by Screaming Trees, or anything by Soundgarden or Alice in Chains – there is palpable difference. There is a complicated interplay between the guitars of vocalist Adam Franklin and his right-hand man, Jimmy Hartridge,that moves beyond sounds typical of “grunge”. Maybe its just one more step removed from the hard rock riff-based roots of some bands (like Soundgarden); but also removed from the sonic messiness of the more punk oriented outfits (like Mudhoney). Duel has straight up rock-pop chords, but the chorus, bridge, and outro demonstrate the elegance and attention of a calculated, layered psychedelia – it all ends in the soothing wash of seaside waves, backed by the clever call and repeat of Franklin and Hartridge’s guitar lines. There were some gigantic songs in 1993, but those in the hard rock/grunge family feel very dated to that era, and for the worse. Duel does not feel dated at all – it’s as fresh a sound as it ever was right here in 2010.

Other great tracks: I found it very difficult to narrow down my favorite Swervedriver tracks for this list and only Duel ultimately made the cut from Mezcal head. That said, the whole of Mezcal Head, skillfully produced by Alan Moulder, is highly recommended. “MM Abduction”, “Blowin’ Cool” and the epic “Duress” are stand outs.

Next up: Talk about a study in contrasts. Next up is #123. “Carefree Highway” by Canadian folk troubadour, Gordon Lightfoot.