This was how I began my lifelong obsession with Swervedriver, one of the most frustratingly underrated rock groups of the 90s.
Duel is perfectly representative of the group's sound and style. Swirling guitars that manage to be both punchy and gorgeous. Basslines that are as sharp and massive as their guitar counterparts. Tight, yet unobtrusive drumming. And lastly, Adam Franklin's distinctly languid vocals; he seems constantly lost in daydream or reminiscence. The actual lyrics aren't very important - I got the impression that they're pleasant, but totally subservient to the song's melodies. Every sound, every nuance is superbly engineered and not at all wasted.
The song begins as a spirited, rebellious melody, but gradually softens into its dreamy, hypnotic conclusion. Many of Swervedriver's songs could be described in roughly the same way, and they're all great. The ability to meld hard-rock crunch with shoegazer gorgeousness made Swervedriver compelling to me. For years, every time I entered a record store, my first instinct was to find the band's albums, and I've succeeded twice - such is the rarity of their music.
This rarity is the result of the band being lost amidst the crush of more famous groups: Dinosaur Jr., My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth... you could go on for awhile. The band's leader, Adam Franklin continues to perform in solo fashion, but his former group is doomed to cult status, revered by a blessed few.
