There’s a dark cloud and dusky mood that hangs over each of the songs on Swampland’s debut album “The Stranded West”. Tracks like “Path To Purity” and “I’ll Never Know” harness a dangerous presence and swaggering flair that embraces the spirit of Nick Cave and Dead Moon but also put a catchy twist on things at times blending infectious hooks with an intriguing blast of gloom and doom. There are also some very Americana elements to the album as the shuffling rhythm of “Wounded Knee” sounds like a cross between Chris Issak and Joe Doe collaborating on a classic spaghetti western score with a touch of The Wovenhand thrown in for good measure. The striking stance of “Sirens Wall” embraces aspects of rockabilly and punk and there’s a soulfulness to “Axeman Of New Orleans” that offers a twinge of Danzig alongside a mysterious carnival like setting. Overall “The Stranded West” is a highly enjoyable ride with many cinematic twists and turns that keep you engaged waiting to hear what will come next.
