The Wild Swans - Reviews - Incandescent

REVIEWS

Incandescent - Record Collector	BUY!

The New Wave threw up some amazing talent in Liverpool. Echo and the Bunnymen and The Teardrop Explodes reaped commercial success, but the Wild Swans retain bragging rights as the lost legends of the scene. 'Revolutionary Spirit' /'God Forbid' was the last single on the Zoo label and a musical firework. Bunnyman drummer Phil De Freitas (aka Pete's brother?) produced, as well as thrashing the kit, but credit for guitar chiming and melodic majesty goes to Paul Simpson (vocals), Jeremy Kelly (guitar) and Gerard Quinn (keyboards). The demise of Zoo and the lack of a manager meant that the Wild Swans never obtained a recording contract. Thankfully, there were radio sessions and seven tracks recorded for Kid Jensen and john Peel in 1982, and all are the sound of something special being thrown away. A second CD perms a session from the re-formed Swans in 1986, and live tracks recorded supporting the Bunnymen in 1981. The fact that the Wild Swans never recorded a full album in their romantic pomp is tragic. however, their demise saw Kelly form the Lotus Eaters, whose first album, No Sense Of Sin, is a rejected classic. After this Incandescent compilation has warmed your ears, it should be your next port of call.