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20 July 2011

Music to bathe in

Tom Ravenscroft opts for comfort over clever where indie's concerned and discovers he's an underwate

By Tom Ravenscroft

I like Swiftumz — not just because they sound like they might be one of those tasty children’s cold remedies that used to make you pine for sickness when you were little but because they are a slightly rubbish indie rock band that I derive a strange comfort from. I like it when bands sound like they haven’t been playing together for very long and don’t necessarily retain any musical talent but manage to slog out a few good tunes through sheer desire. Swiftumz give off that impression; everything slightly out of tune, time and practice. I suspect this may be a well-organised and intentional sound but I’m happy to believe it is not: I’m getting a bit bored of listening to clever and hope this isn’t. Their album is called Don’t Trip and is out in August.

I was told this week that I was a fan of underwater sounds. I wasn’t aware if this and I’m not sure if it’s something I need worry about. Then, right on cue, Dam Mantle’s new EP We arrives in my life and perfectly fits this accusation; it is music that sounds like it’s been put through a tap. It is warm, pretty and sleepy sounding. You should take a bath in it.

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