Patrick Sweany: Daytime Turned to Nighttime

Patrick Sweany’s take on the blues is far more amiable than many of those who tread the same turf. For one thing, his craggy vocals reveal an upbeat attitude that often runs counter to the norm. “Back Home” sounds like a blast from the past, but even on a song like “Here to Stay (Rock & Roll),” which seemingly downplays the otherwise effusive effects of the sounds he’s singing about, Sweany ambles along while leaning more towards contentment than contemplation. He achieves the same effect elsewhere, making songs such as “First of the Week”, “Sweethearts Together” and “Afraid of You” intimate encounters that bear repeat hearings. Sweany has an admirable way of conveying even the most downtrodden emotions, which turns his melancholy melodies into nothing less than a celebratory sound.