Catchall

Swag were conceived as a fun side project by various musicians known primarily for their roles in other bands (particularly Ken Coomer of Wilco, Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick, and Robert Reynolds of the Mavericks). And, unlike some such ideas, they do actually sound like they're having fun on this pastiche of/homage to vintage '60s and '70s {pop/rock} styles. It's a diverse program of originals in that mold, sometimes taking cues from straight-ahead guitar {power pop} with ringing guitars, sometimes from fey McCartney-esque late-'60s acoustic {pop-psych} (Near Perfect Smile and Different Girl), sometimes from Remains-like mid-'60s {organ rock} guitar crunch (Please Don't Tell), sometimes from early Elvis Costello (Eight), and even from Cheap Trick themselves (Ride, which even has a Cheap Trick reference in the lyrics). It's not the type of thing which is bound to impress listeners with wallfuls of original '60s {pop/rock} and '70s {power pop} to serve as comparisons, but it's better than the norm for such things, and well-executed. Four of the 12 songs on the band's debut full-length disc were previously released, but eight make their first appearance here. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide