Well we are talking about a concept album focused on twisted ornithology. It is Punching Swans at their most natural, writing avant-garde and straight up surreal noise-rock that wouldn't be out of place in a Reeves and Mortimer sketch.
The Rabbit Hole ain't shit, come take an adventure into the nest of the giant, screeching mother swan- it really is something else
Summary
Released on Skingasm Records, 'Nesting' is another cracking addition to a growing arsenal of releases for the independent Medway based label.
10 (the perfect number of songs for an album) fantastical, quirky and catchy ditties full of art-rock elements with a Mclusky-esque punk rock essence.
What Hooked Me?
Straight off the bat in the wonderfully titled 'Cuckoo Cuckold K-Killed' is beefed up to the bridge with subversive vocal hooks. It is the least we have come to expect from the immensely talented Greg Webster of Houdini fame.
The crazed catchiness continues throughout the record and becomes a key trait for the album.
Key Lyric
'Can you see me now, over the handlebars and into the sky'. This comes out of nowhere as Punching Swans all of a sudden throw you deep into a well of thought. It gave me a profound feeling of escape. This very idea of escapism is why a lot of people turn on music, what better fantasy land to escape to than one where boys can turn to winged creatures
Artwork
A quite regal looking lay of leaves formed around a refined font displaying the bands name. If you were not aware of the bands sound and were lured into listening by their cover art then good have mercy on your soul. You may be in for the shock of your life.
Feedback
I have very much enjoyed Punching Swans' past 2 takes on the concept album. In 'Mollusc' and 'Nesting' PS took us to distorted realms of wild imagination and vivid imagery. I'd love to hear the band take on some social commentary, maybe show us what frustrates them by venting through song. Or maybe I just want to hear a third concept album based on a Dog that plunges into a swamp kingdom to find his abducted owners.
Line From The Band
"With a name like Punching Swans it seemed obvious to write something about birds - that was the starting point of Nesting. We jammed a bunch of riffs and noises whilst throwing around different ideas based on the urban legend of the Owlman and a music video concept featuring a homeless man dressed as a swan. From there the story wrote itself quite quickly and it made sense to present it as some kind of book. We wanted to make this release a bit special/limited/personal but also making a book was just something we wanted to do. As a band we tend to just do stuff; we have ideas and we do them. It's fun and there's a lot more in the works already. "
Vital Info
'Nesting' was released earlier this year via Skingasm Records and can be purchased at the following link;
https://punchingswans.bandcamp.com/album/nesting
You can connect with Punching Swans here;
www.facebook.com/PunchingSwans
And here;
@PunchingSwans
Reviewer Profile
Krystian Hudson is one half of YB!HQ. He is co-founder of Yeah Buddy! and the proud owner of a Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffee machine that (potentially) cost over £50.
Front man Salt the Snail (Keep your eyes peeled). Krystian writes from time to time but spends most of his time helping to make Yeah Buddy! awesome.
He is a support worker by trade but moonlights in promoting unsigned bands via Yeah Buddy! online, live and co-promoting Liverpool Calling festival.