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Swimmin' Time Image
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: The third full-length release for the South Carolina duo of Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst was home-recorded.
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  • Record Label: Dualtone Music
  • Genre(s): Folk, Alt-Country, Americana, Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock
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Top Track

The Devil Is All Around
When the devil is all around, got you crawlin' on the ground On your hands and your knees with an apple in your mouth You will know how far you'll go... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Sep 2, 2014
    90
    Swimmin’ Time showcases the best of both old and new music, the idealized past and the disgusting, bloody, senseless present. Lyrics to make the soul shake loose from out of your chest meet harmonies that will convert new audiences through pure emotive conviction.
  2. Aug 28, 2014
    90
    Swimmin' Time is every bit as good as its predecessor. Indeed, it offers several songs that leave much of what they've previously recorded in the dust.
  3. Sep 2, 2014
    82
    Even though the ballads on Swimmin’ Time tend to float downstream, overall, Shovels & Rope’s sophomore LP manages to capture the duo’s raucous spirit and live intensity.
  4. Aug 28, 2014
    80
    Shovels & Rope displays a firm grip on its craft on Swimmin’ Time, and a willingness to use it in service of any stylistic boulevard it chooses to walk.
  5. Uncut
    Sep 3, 2014
    70
    The signature combination of upbeat music and somewhat gruesome lyrical themes works so well for Shovels & Rope that a few leaks spring when they commit themselves to a dive to the depths. [Oct 2014, p.75]
  6. Aug 28, 2014
    70
    You've almost certainly heard other acts do what Shovels & Rope do on Swimmin' Time plenty of times; the difference is, this duo can do it better than most, and that's enough to keep them going until they're capable of developing a more unique personality to call their own.
  7. Aug 28, 2014
    58
    The darker tone on Swimmin’ Time shows they’re able to change things up, but they may be too afraid of losing their momentum to really be daring.

See all 11 Critic Reviews