EP REVIEW: Undoing – The Swaggerlies

THE SWAGGERLIES formed in Seattle in 2018 when Earle Thunders, bassist Jeromy Leonard and the late guitarist Ron Heathman worked on a Christmas song for a MusiCares compilation album. The trio enjoyed writing and recording music together, and thus THE SWAGGERLIES were born. They went on to record a two-song EP and a live album, as well as a short tour to Portland, Reno, and San Francisco. However, tragedy struck in August 2020 when Heathman passed away. The band decided to continue and completed their debut album, The Last Of The One And Onlys, which was released in December 2021 with new lead guitarist Ron Stohr, and now they are back with a four-track EP called Undoing.

From the start of opener Undoing To Do, it is clear that the band have a definitive sound, and it is infectious. The guitars and drums are regulated to the background as the vocals do most of the heavy lifting, but they get their chance to shine during an extended solo midway through the song. The reverse happens in Group Death Stare, as the instruments do most of the heavy lifting and demonstrate that the musicians are extremely talented. The production also ensures that the vocals and instruments do not overwhelm each other, although the song does get a little repetitive, especially towards the end, as four minutes is more than it needs.

The final two songs are shorter. Whilst the overall EP falls into a pattern, THE SWAGGERLIES make sure that each song has its own distinct identity. Whether it is the grungy guitar rock of Bandwagon or the fast-paced rock of Tie Me To Your Tracks, Undoing is coherent and distinct at the same time. Although it is only 13 minutes long, each track has enough time to make sure that it feels complete, and the steady pacing of all the tracks helps the EP feel longer than it is.

Overall, Undoing is a fun EP for fans of old-school rock music. It’s coherent and also manages to make sure that each song has a distinct sound, and ultimately it is clear that the band are incredibly passionate about their music. This is a great EP to listen to, regardless of if you are a new or old fan of THE SWAGGERLIES.

Rating: 8/10

Undoing is out now via self-release.

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