STAN SWINIARSKI
Mexico (UpCellar)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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Possessing an engaging voice and an uncommon songwriting talent, Stan Swiniarski just has to be headed for the bigtime in country music, despite the fact that he lives in the northeastern part of the United States and doesn't seem to show much inclination to leave it. When you hear songs like "Instructions" and "Learnin' To Love" you'll be Googling to check my info, certain he's from Nashville, or at least Bowling Green, but I'm right.

The CD packaging doesn't include credits, which is a shame, because I'd love to sing the praises of some of the musicians on this wonderful album, particularly the pianist and pedal steel guitarist. Whoever you people are, bravo.

Swiniarski's got something going here that far too many of today's country artists can't touch, and that's the ability to make every song interesting, including his ballads. He spent several years cleaning up at songwriting contests all over the upper right of the country, and they didn't hand him those trophies for nothin'. My guess is Mr. Swiniarski has a stockpile of songs to last three or four careers. Quality stuff. I'm a very tough sell when it comes to modern country, and I even like this guy's ballads. The ballads. Unsure if I was pleased or terrified, I turned on "young country radio" for half an hour. Nope, it's just this guy.

© 2004 - DJ Johnson