:: Andrew Swift - The Way We Were Raised

Andrew Swift

There seems to be so much great Aussie talent around at the moment and now here is another artist to add to that list… Andrew Swift. Anyone who has seen this Melbourne singer play live (or lucky enough to have a copy of his debut EP) has known how talented he is, and now everybody will know due to the release of his sensational full-length album The War We Were Raised. From start to finish this is a sensational album. Something hits you when you hear the opening track ‘Summer Storms’ (which is begging to be used as a single) and from then on you are hooked. I dare you not to foot-tap to ‘Winter Wind’ with is something beautiful and catchy pop rock while ‘We Are The Summer’ is the perfect track to stick in the car-stereo as you are heading off for summer holidays. Swift’s vocals are the standout on ‘I’ll Keep What You Say’, it has the perfect melody and shows just how well he has matured as a performer as the years have gone on. That great melody continues on ‘New Year’s Eve’ while ‘Kathleen Close’ forces you to reflect on the past (and I’m sure its not just those of us who grew up in Beaconsfield who can find a heartfelt meaning in the lyrics). ‘Calling Home’ sees Swift take a leaf from Paul Kelly’s style of storytelling within a song, and it is done delightfully well while ‘My Old Yard’ again has you heading back to the past in the same way ‘Middle Of The Hill’ by Josh Pyke does. ‘Fire Away (Gracie May)’ is one of the most beautiful track on The Way We Were Raised and I’m sure it will bring tears to the eyes of a lot of parents out there…it captures emotion in a way that most songwriters only dream about. The sweet melody re-appears on ‘Her Melody’ while the energy of and sound of ‘Start A Fire’ is truly amazing. The album closes with the smooth ‘Shipwreck Dreams’, another track that shows why Andrew Swift is one of the finest musos that Melbourne has to offer. The Way We Were Raised is a stunning album that really has unearthed one of Australia’s finest artists. This brilliant album is one of the best to be released this year!