Machine 22 - "Off the Record" (CD)

While not yet in the realm of classic American genius, Minneapolis based Machine 22 have stayed true to the musical poltergeist long established by Creedence, the Replacements, and Alex Chilton in the writing and recording of this debut album titled “Off the Record”. Channeling Fogerty and Westerberg, songwriter Swagger has a like mindset to keep songs short and fulfilling, bearing on repetitive listening because he knows how to tell a story within a three-minute musical boundary. As with Chilton, Swagger has an infectious way with making the lyrics match the intensity of each particular song’s drift.