Review Summary: a female-fronted Clutch with funky ocean vibes
Review 198: Deep Swell - Lore Of The Angler
Of all the spinoff projects that have come from members of Clutch over the years, Deep Swell might be the most overlooked. The West Virginia group features guitarist Tim Sult and their sole album, 2013’s Lore Of The Angler, is driven by the sort of stoner blues that no doubt feels familiar. The guitar playing is certainly recognizable with trippy textures and spry leads that sit well amidst the laid back grooves while playing into the aquatic imagery at hand.
But even though Sult may be the band’s best known member, the other performers prove to be on equal footing with their own influences coming into play. Bassist Logan Kilmer’s push and pull lines combined with drummer Jesse Shultzaberger’s intricate yet thrusting beats makes for a funky rhythm section. Briena Pearl also proves to be a charismatic vocalist with a sultry swagger that makes one wonder how she didn’t come to be more prominent with other groups.
While the album’s breezy pace reinforces an easygoing attitude, the songwriting is involved enough for the tracks to offer standout characters. The opening “Shoes Off” establishes itself immediately with quirky guitar swirls with “You’re Not Sleeping” and “Criminal Reward” encouraging free-flowing grooves. The rolling drums make “Hilltop” a hearty speed run, “By Woah” cranks up the funk guitar, and “Green Eyes” and the closing “Small Girl Learn” put in the most memorable vocal lines.
If I want to be reductive, it’s not hard to deem Deep Swill as essentially being a female-fronted Clutch. The band’s particular take on funky blues rock is closer to the mellow spirit of the late 2000s albums than what they were doing the same year on Earth Rocker, but that arguably highlights a strong quality standard as well as helping them establish a unique identity. It’s unfortunate that the group hasn’t followed up Lore Of The Angler thirteen years later and gone into obscurity, but any fan of the style is encouraged to dig this one out.
