Swirl - Ditch Day Soundtrack (2017)

Photography: Neil Zlozower

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The power and precision of Southern California’s four piece Swirl has the sort of recognizable swing long missing from young, modern hard rock. Iconic bands of this ilk were always expert in delivering the hard-hitting punch required for this style, but they also specialized in a familiar swing that gives the song real strength and sway. It has become a bit of a lost art. Swirl, however, has a natural feel for this style that comes through quite clearly in the three songs included on the Ditch Day movie soundtrack. The tracks come from the band’s recent self-titled effort and are an ideal fit for a movie that has attracted a lot of popularity and notice from numerous quarters. The core of the band, guitarist Duane “DT” Jones and drummer Brian “Bam Bam” Jones, are augmented by vocalist Alfred Ramirez and bassist Shane Carlson. The quartet packs superb instrumental prowess in a package with palpable rock and roll attitude, but their lyrical content distinguishes them a little further. The three songs included on the Ditch Day soundtrack have familiar and intelligently chosen imagery, passages of pure virtuosity, and enough energy for three bands.

The first of the three numbers, “Spell”, draws lyrically from the genre’s long tradition but gets over in a fresh, thrilling way thanks to some subtle twists and how well Ramirez embodies every line. The rhythm section really jumps out at listeners thanks to Bam Bam and Carlson’s sharply honed chemistry and the tight focus they bring to their playing. Duane Jones shares the same focus. His guitar attack isn’t afraid to show off some flourish, but it likewise commands a great deal of fundamentally mastery that keeps the track grounded. “Rise Up”, the band’s most recent single, has an exhortative quality that defines a lot of great rock and roll and the band deserves props for putting it out there in a way that doesn’t overtly personalize it but, instead, relates it to the band’s large and ever-growing audience. Duane “DT” Jones brings the same combination of flair and fundamentals that filled the first track, but there’s never a gratuitous moment in what he does. Instead, there’s always reason behind his rock and roll madness and numerous passage sing with convincing melodic moments.

“We Are Alive” puts an exclamation point on the aforementioned song’s message. Swirl really has quite a talent for zeroing in on what hard rock audiences want and are hungry for. This song, as part of an EP release, would make an effective closer and works just as well in its role here. It summarizes the band and all their best attributes with the same concision and lean muscularity that sets them apart from the pack. Ditch Day and the band benefit greatly from the mutual association. This is big screen hard rock/metal that hits hard and leaves you wanting more.

Grade: A

YOUTUBE video for "Rise Up" : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_RhbgL5Cv0  

WATCH NOW: http://thefilmditch.com/watch-now/

Written by: Bradley Johnson