MP3: The Sweptaways - Let my shoes lead me forward
Let's talk about Sweden's other 20+ member indie choir The Sweptaways. The group's standard repertoire is a capella group versions of pop hits and their debut album "Ooh ahh" is chock-full. It features indie-hits by fellow Swedes Vapnet, El Perro Del Mar, The Embassy and Jenny Wilson (today's featured track) as well as songs from the likes of Kiss, Black Sabbath, Pet Shop Boys and Kate Bush ("Wuthering heights", the first single). Sometimes the formula works, sometimes not. Their take on Sabbath's classic ballad "Changes" is disappointing and a few other song selections were never that good to begin with and are not improved by The Sweptaways vocal treatment. There are many highlights, but I can't help feeling that they are better appreciated as a live act with their fanciful costumes and choreography. A studio recording is a poor substitute. Still, they manage to narrowly avoid status, so that's got to mean something. Oh, and their version of "Silver bells" together with Magnus Carlson and the Gray Brigade (listen here) is fantastic.
The Sweptaways - Let my shoes lead me forward