Search - Emmet Swimming :: Arlington to Boston

A definite must have

04/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Emmet's refreshing rock sound is unfortunately underappreciated. In my opinion, they are one of the best kept secrets in the music industry, providing both insightful lyrics and enthusiastic melodies. This album in particular is my favorite as it captures the group's many different sides with the upbeat "Arlington" to the reflective "Boston" A definite must have for any music lover. (Also, check out "Ear Plugs 50cents" if you wanna hear emmet's amazing live sound)."

Great Album

Jimbo | Raleigh, NC United States | 03/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Emmet Swimming - Odd name for a band, but these guys were one of the best playing the East coast College circuit in the mid/late '90's (right up there with Dave Matthews and Hootie). Plus they were good guys. My buddy fogot his ticket to see Live play at the big rock club on the other side of town in '94, so we headed over to the hole-in-the-wall bar back near campus. We went in to see a decent band from a couple of towns over, and Emmet was opening up. There wasn't much of a crowd that night and Emmet was peddling the album "Wake" that they'd just cut on the VA indie "Screaming Goddess" label. We talked to Todd and the guys for half an hour once they finished their set. About 15 shows later (for me, probably 215 for them) they got signed to the big label, re-released "Wake" and later put "Arlington" out. "Arlington..." captured their live sound and is just a great tribute to a great '90's college pop band. Highly recommended. Especially poignant for those with divorced parents."

Emmet Swimming's "Arlington to Boston" still stands up toda

Candy Cullerton | Pensacola, FL USA | 03/31/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Emmet Swimming is a band I heard for the first time on HFS in Washington DC. Very few times in my life have I ever heard a song and immediately *had* to have the album/cd/tape - but the song "Arlington" was one of the songs and 'Arlington to Boston' is one of those CD's. I've bought it three times (I *just* ordered it again) because other people borrow it after one listen and I never see it again.



'Arlington to Boston' is full of - for lack of a better term - infectious sound. The entire disc is full of good music that make you listen the whole way through - and face it - very few records have good song followed by good song followed by good song - this CD does, starting with the first track. The lyrics to "Arlington" alone will hold you :



Ivana's a sculptor

and she's tending bar

she's piercing her nipples

in the name of art

Rick's an accountant

and he likes tattoos

he keeps them all hidden

so his boss approves

it's the suburb of the week

arlington



Brilliant! And true. Everyone is entitled to thier opinion - and I see some reviews have them pegged as a college band - which I understand, but even living in DC when "Wake" and "Arlington" were released, I never thought of them as a 'local' band. They have always sounded great on every level and thier live shows have never been anything short of heart pounding.



My favorite song on this disc has to be "Fake Wood Trim" though. The lyrics are moving. Ex:



freedom's not something you fight for

it's just the key that locks us in

and what did your father die for

a cardboard house with fake wood trim

guess you showed him



It's the guitar and drums that really push it in to my permenent top 10 songs, though. The chorus is so overwhelmingly catchy that you can't resist singing along. People say that a lot - but with every fiber of my being - I mean that statement. "Fake Wood Trim" is a first rate composition with one of the very best choruses of all time.



Side note: I met Emmet Swimming once at the 9:30 Club in 1997 and after seeing them live 10 plus times and listening to their disc until it was stolen (the first time), I walked to the side of the stage (they were just talking to the crowd) (I couldn't believe it) and shook the lead singer's hand and all I got out was "wow - you're tall". 9 years later, it's one of those moments you wish you could go back in time and correct.



Their music is moving and this CD is one you'll be proud to have in your collection."