So the album just came out today and I've listened through it about three times which is enough to form an initial impression on it. I was anticipating this album to be a strong competitor for Dream Theater for my album of the year, but I don't think that's the case. This album slots comfortably into second or third place overall (not sure if I like it more or less than Aphelion yet). Swagger and Stroll is with Sing Along Songs as their weakest record in my book. Which isn't to say it's bad, but it doesn't reach the same consistent quality as Pandora's Pinata or Pacifisticuffs does.
Overall, this album definitely leans more into the band's experimental side. The record focuses more on trying new things and incorporating different elements into the band's sound and as with any heavily experimental release, the quality tends to vary a bit. The mix has been a common point of contention in comments I've seen and I would have to echo those complaints. It can sound a bit sharp/tinny at times and a bit muddy at other times, with a special point of complaint being the guitar sound and its more classic hard rock/metal tone. But this is a Diablo Swing Orchestra album, and what it lacks in consistency it sure makes up for in fun. And there's a few classic tunes to join the upper ranks of DSO's library of serious tunes that don't take themselves too seriously.
Sightseeing in the Apocalypse is a unique tune even by the band's standards. It's a short tune with lyrics that seem especially poignant with the pandemic and, on a personal level, with me moving from young adulthood to adulthood and all that entails. I feel like this might be the biggest grower on the album for me, and I love the Queen and Muse vibes throughout the entire song. There's also something the band hasn't dabbled in a lot up to this point, which is a traditional rock/metal guitar solo (!!!). A good opening to the album overall and a great song in its own right. Ranking: 7th | Score: B+
War Painted Valentine was the first single and is an example of the band's heavier and more experimental side. This song is weird. And I mean weird even by DSO standards. But it's weird in a fun way, like most Diablo Swing Orchestra songs are. The lyrics (which I recommend you read, because the vocals are crazy in this song and it makes it hard to understand what is even happening) are a surprisingly deep and political text, commenting on the nature of our "post-truth world" and how social media plays into that. It was a lot of fun at first, but after listening to the full album I'd say it's probably in the bottom half of the album (and probably the band's entire discography). Ranking: 12th | Score: B
Celebremos Lo Inevitable was the second single and what sold me on this album. This song is FANTASTIC. It is probably one of the best songs the band has ever put out. It's dynamically varied, with lots of energy in the choruses and instrumental interludes and a more relaxed Bossa Nova feel in the verses. Kristin's vocals are a special highlight of this song, and her powerful delivery breathes a lot of life into it (not to mention her Spanish pronunciation is very good). The lyrics are great in the original Spanish and still hold up well with translation, speaking about the Dia De Los Muertos while encapsulating the deeper meaning of the holiday. The lyrics focus on the themes of a holiday in a more general sense, allowing them to be applicable to anyone dealing with loss at any time of the year. Because of this, the song avoids the "Christmas tune" effect. Ranking: 1st | Score: A+
Speed Dating an Arsonist was the third single and is a quick genre shift to total electroswing. It's good electroswing, mind you, but after a couple of listens doesn't hold up as well as the other songs on the album. The cool synth effects and the clean jazz guitar solos are highlights, but there's just not much to keep you coming back for more. In fact, the song kind of overstays its welcome in the outro. It's good, but there's better out there. Ranking: 11th | Score: B
Jig of the Century is the song I have the least experience with as it was accidentally left out when the band uploaded the entire album to YouTube last night. I have the least thoughts on it so far, but I enjoy the folksy celtic vibe on it. It did sound a little derivative of the band's past work in the more metal section, straight up copying the "Teddy Bear Picnic riff" from Bedlam Sticks, which knocked it down a few points in my book. Still have to sit on this one, but it's fine. Ranking: 9th | Score: B
The Sound of an Unconditional Surrender is easily my least favorite song on the record and probably my least favorite DSO song in general. This song is kind of unusual by DSO standards: it's boring. That's a phrase I never expected to use to refer to a DSO song, but here we are. It just kind of plods along at a slow tempo while never really doing anything that interesting before unceremoniously fading out at the end of the song. It's meh. The Kate Bush-esque vocals and some of the arrangements are nice, but not enough to make me actually like it. Ranking: 13th | Score: C-
Malign Monologues is a breath of fresh air after the previous song's rendition of a "Swedish mire in the morning" (band's words, not mine, but an accurate description). This song is the typical "swing metal" sounding that gets put on every album. That's not a bad thing, because those songs tend to be super catchy and a lot of fun, and this song is no exception. The only complaint I have is...what even are these lyrics? The only reactions I have to the lyrics I can make out are "what" and "what" and "Wat". The lyrics drag it down a lot, but it's still fun overall. Nice song. Ranking: 6th | Score: A-
Out Came the Hummingbirds slaps and it slaps hard. This song is probably the most stank face inducing song in the band's entire discography. I love the heavily electrometal/metalstep intro and first verse and the 80s synth pop sounding choruses just work. Like they work way better than you could ever imagine. There's also lots of influences from Billie Eilish and Lorde on here which is not a sound I would have expected but I am SO glad it's here. Easily another contender for one of the best songs on the album and a Top 10 song for their discography. Ranking: 2nd | Score: A+
Snake Oil Baptism is probably another stand out on the album (this three song stretch is probably my favorite on the album) and just a lot of catchy fun. It has this great 60s/70s hard rock/Deep Purple vibe mixed with big band and soul. I don't typically go for Deep Purple-sounding stuff, but they did it in a way that makes me actually like it. Also one of the best song titles in the band's discography (which is saying a lot). I dig it. Ranking: 3rd | Score: A
Les invulnérables is, contrary to what the title and Celebremos may make you think, not in French. It's a nice ballad with a strong orchestral presence, some nice vocals, and enough intrigue to stay interesting across 6 minutes. A good song overall, but not too exciting. Ranking: 8th | Score: B+
Saluting the Reckoning is the song I have the most mixed feelings about on the record. Like there's a lot of good here, but this song is almost too kooky for my tastes. It sounds like DSO making Rock Lobster, except it's 2021 and the lobster (or Mr. Orange) in question is a thinly veiled metaphor for a certain American president. Will need to sit on this one some more, but for now it's okay, I guess? Ranking: 10th | Score: B
The Prima Donna Gauntlet is the most straightforward metal song on the record (as straightforward as a band like DSO can be anyways). It's very solid and good song overall, but without any real stand out moments. The band also dabbles in a first at the end with some full on harsh vocals during the outro. Song title is also super cool. Feel like it could be heavier for what it is, but cool song overall. Ranking: 4th | Score: A
Overture to a Ceasefire is the album closer and probably the least unconventional and surprising song on the record. It's a good symphonic metal song with some slight tango influences and that's all there is to say about it. Doesn't quite offer the same "conclusive" feeling that Climbing the Eyewall or Justice for Saint Mary have, so it kind of leaves you wanting a bit more. It's hampered a bit by it's placement in context of the album, but it would probably be a good song to listen to in isolation or while randomly shuffling my spotify library. Ranking: 5th | Score: A
Song Ranking:
1. Celebremos Lo Inevitable A+
2. Out Came the Hummingbirds A+
3. Snake Oil Baptism A
4. The Prima Donna Gauntlet A
5. Overture to a Ceasefire A
6. Malign Monologues A-
7. Sightseeing in the Apocalypse B+
8. Les invulnérables B+
9. Jig of the Century B
10. Saluting the Reckoning B
11. Speed Dating an Arsonist B
12. War Painted Valentine B
13. The Sound of an Unconditional Surrender C-
Overall a good album, with some hit or miss moments and a bit of a flawed production. Some songs stand out among the band's body of work, but the album as a whole is probably one of their weakest. Overall score: a weak 9/10
Topic: Diablo Swing Orchestra (Read 6798 times)
