Swell Maps International Rescue CD

You'll have to be a pretty major Swell Maps fan to make heads or tails, at a glance, out of which songs on this 19-track compilation you may already have. It's all over the Swell map, including four songs that have never been on CD [including "Dresden Style (City Boys)," which was on a single]; three that have never been released anywhere; three "unreleased mixes"; and a few songs that appeared on U.K. singles ("Let's Build a Car," "Real Shocks," "Read About Seymour"). It doesn't really succeed as either a representative overview compilation or a rarities disc. Approached on its own terms -- which you might want to do if this happens to be the first, or only, Swell Maps album you get -- it's decent arty punk that's too monochromatic to sustain burning interest over the course of the lengthy program. It does have a heartier sense of joie de vivre than much U.K. punk/new wave of the period, particularly in the vocals. ~ Richie Unterberger

Sweep the Desert has been compiled by band members Nikki Sudden, Richard Earl & Jowe Head, & focuses on the more experimental side of the Swell Maps. Alive Records.

Principally recorded at Spaceward Studios, Cambridge, Massachusetts in September 1977. Includes liner notes by Paul Morley and Dave McCullough.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Personnel: David Barrington , Nikki Sudden, Richard Earl (vocals, guitar); Jowe Head (vocals, background vocals); John Cockrill (guitar, background vocals).

Liner Note Authors: Dave McCullough; Paul Morley.

Recording information: Spaceward Studio, Cambridge, England (1977-1979); Woodbine Mobile Recording Studi (1977-1979).

Swell Maps: Nikki Sudden (vocals, guitar); David Barrington, Richard Earl (guitar, bass, background vocals); John Cockrill (guitar, background vocals); Jowe Head (violin, bass, background vocals); Epic Soundtracks (piano, drums, background vocals).

Alternative Press (9/99, pp.115-6) - 3 out of 5 - "...actively transcend their glam roots....the mix is fairly clean and the document is a classic example of early punk in mid-flight."