Swingin' Utters: Here, Under Protest (2011)

It's been over seven years since the Swingin' Utters graced us with a new record and the one they finally did deliver, Here, Under Protest, is worth the wait for fans. Kicking off with the one-two punch of "Brand New Lungs" and "Taking the Long Way," the Utters bring their brand of hard but melodic straight punk back to the masses (ok this won't sell enough to earn the "masses" title. They've slowed down a bit over the years and the hardcore influence that was once evident is only hinted at here but poppier numbers like "Kick it Over" and "Time on My Own" are as good as the rougher tracks. The Utters have managed to sneak in at least one celtic style track per album and this albums contribution is the fine "Scary Brittle Frame. Here, Under Protest isn't likely to appeal to much more than long time Swingin' Utters fans but as one of those fans I'm very glad they're back. I hope it's not seven years for another album.

Rating: 4

Track Listing:

1. "Brand New Lungs" (2:44)
2. "Taking the Long Way" (2:00)
3. "Bent Collector of 1,000 Limbs" (2:32)
4. "Kick it Over" (2:31)
5. "Good Things" (2:05)
6. "Sketch Squandered Teen" (2:04)
7. "Heavy Head" (2:29)
8. "(You've Got To) Give it All to the Man" (1:10)
9. "Time On My Own" (2:48)
10. "Lepers, Thieves and Whores" (2:19)
11. "Blindness is Kind" (2:59)
12. "Reds and Blues and Beggars" (2:16)
13. "Scary Brittle Frame" (2:14)
14. "Effortless Amnesiac" (3:36)