Sweet Water

Clear the Tarmac

(Golden City)

Record Review by Kevan Peterson

Clear The Tarmac's opening track, “Grass is Green,” combines lyrics that could have been plucked straight from a 1960s ditty with rock chops from the '90s and beyond.  In fact, another group carrying the same band name was on the scene in the late 1960s, but bears no relation to the modern Sweet Water.  Where most bands would argue that the grass is always greener on the other side, Sweet Water claims the grass on their side is green enough, much to their initial disbelief.  Sweet Water has something somewhat unique for a modern rock band, their music is full of subtly positive messages and lyrics usually painfully absent from the standard rock music of today.  Perhaps they were influenced by the 1960s band of the same name, more than they’d like to admit.

“Rock Steady,” the album's second track, continues weaving catchy riffs with positively spinned lyrics where lead singer Adam Czeisler urges his lover to not stay away too long.  The unabashedly catchy poppy song has bits of Weezer-influenced interplay with enough difference between the two bands to not warrant any direct copy-cat infringement.

“Stereo” borrows some from Jesus and Mary Chain in its grunge-infused chorus.  Sweet Water’s roots, which were first developed in the early 1990’s are most apparent on this track which feels like it may have been written in that era. Rich Credo takes over a large swath of the song with his guitar playing which does not disappoint conveying a bright sunnyness that drives the song into impressive heights.

Upon reaching the fourth song, the album loses a bit of steam.  The catchiness that drove the first few tracks is absent from “Tonight” which is played looser and with less direction than its predecessors.  “Dogs At Bay” tries to regain the footing of the earlier tracks and succeeds on most levels.  The playing is solid and the high “whew’s” ring reminiscent of many successful eighties or nineties era tracks.

“Moonless Sky” finds Sweet Water changing gears, playing perhaps the first melancholy song of the album, at least lyrically.  The opening lines, “Lost in the suffering, you told me I was wrong,” brings the listener on a complete one hundred and eighty degree lyrical turn around from the opening track “Grass is Green.”  The song plays as the albums requisite heartbreak tune.  Not all things can remain positive forever. 

“Hesitation” proves this thought to be true as the chorus rings out “Get in the car, let’s get going.  Manic depression is growing.”  As the lyrics grow darker the songs also seem to lose some luster.  It’s not that they are bad, just less interesting.  The tracks that were at first fresh and poppy start to grow stale and redundant.  They play like silver that has been polished so much it starts to lose its shine. 

Then enter “Miss You” - one of the album’s brightest gems.  The low key lead vocals coupled with the bright backing and chorus vocals stands out from the crowd like a six-foot five third grader.  “Elevator” and “Sneak Attack” round out the album delivering solid rock chops that coast you through to the end. 

With two standout tracks, “Rock Steady” and “Miss You,” Sweet Water has delivered an average rock album with a handful of standout moments.  In the MP3 driven market you may want to stick with the more juicy downloads on this album, however, as always, for the less budget conscious, I would encourage you to purchase the full album from the band’s website and support independent music.