Album Review: Brad Swanson’s Up A Lazy River
Brad Swanson’s Up A Lazy River is one of those albums that sneaks up on you. Released under Thunderbird Records, this US-based pop gem doesn’t try too hard to impress—it just does. With a modest tracklist featuring songs like “Near You” and the titular “Up A Lazy River,” Swanson delivers something refreshingly simple yet memorable.
Let’s start with “Near You.” It’s the kind of song that feels like an old friend you haven’t seen in years but pick up with right away. The melody has this easygoing charm, almost like it’s humming along with you instead of demanding your attention. What sticks out is how Swanson plays with dynamics here—he lets the verses breathe before hitting you with a chorus that’s both warm and uplifting. You find yourself humming it hours later without even realizing it.
Then there’s the title track, “Up A Lazy River.” If I’m being honest, this one caught me off guard. At first listen, it seems like your typical laid-back tune, but give it a second spin, and you’ll hear little details—a twangy guitar riff here, a soft piano line there—that make it stand out. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of floating down life’s winding paths, which might sound cheesy if Swanson didn’t sell it so well. By the end, you’re not just hearing the song; you’re feeling it.
What makes Up A Lazy River work is its lack of pretense. There are no flashy production tricks or overwrought themes. Instead, Swanson lets his melodies and heartfelt delivery do the talking. Sure, some tracks blend together after a while, but isn’t that kinda nice? Like flipping through an old photo album where every snapshot doesn’t need to be perfect—just meaningful.
Here’s the thing though: as much as I enjoyed this record, part of me wishes Swanson took more risks. Maybe throw in a curveball track or two to shake things up. But hey, maybe that’s the point. In a world full of overproduced pop albums desperate to grab headlines, Up A Lazy River reminds us that sometimes all we really need is a quiet moment and a good tune.
Final thought? Listening to this album feels like sitting on a porch at sunset—you don’t wanna leave, but when you do, you carry the calm with you. Now, if only they’d pressed it on vinyl…
