If Patrick Sweany’s last record, 2013’s ‘Close To The Floor’, was preoccupied primarily with dealing with the aftermath of multiple family deaths, then 2015’s ‘Daytime Turned To Nighttime’ is focused on moving on. The bluesy rock ‘n’ roller took some time following the former record to catch up with his life, buying his first home in between long tours and spending some time renovating it alongside his wife. While he was doing that, certain records continued to crop up on the Nashville resident’s playlist; Bobbie Gentry’s ‘Ode To Billie Joe’, Allen Tousaint’s work with Lee Dorsey, and Bobby Charles’ record with The Band. The result was a drifting towards country music that slots into the blues and the rock as a revamped version of Patrick Sweany, fresh for 2015.
But more than that, ‘Daytime Turned To Nighttime’ is a record about growing up. Now 40, the Ohio native had plenty of time to reflect in the past couple of years, and there’s nothing like buying your first home whilst dealing with extensive loss to help you do that. As a result, there’s a rejuvenation to this record and a maturity that feels peaceful as much as it tackles adult difficulties head-on. The set opens with dusty, smoky opener ‘First of The Week’, which reminds us it’s just as important to rest as it is to work hard, while the road-weary jaunt ‘Here To Stay (Rock & Roll)’ muses on time and the ageing process, reminding us that he can still rock just as hard if he wants to. Part of him is ready to pack it up, however, as the perfect blues croon ‘Too Many Hours’ depicts him on tour missing his wife, wishing the time would hurry up.
‘Daytime Turned To Nighttime’ also sees Patrick settling into soulmate love, as the subtle and charming lullaby of ‘Sweethearts Together’ rocks listeners gently, providing a pure point of solace on the varied record. The soulful sway of ‘Mansfield Street’ is something of a big romantic gesture, too, emerging from his reservations and refusing to be afraid of living anymore.
Yet, this album is not without its darkness. The haunting drone of ‘Afraid of You’ iterates our fear at taking on challenges and tackling obstacles that seem too big, something which could clearly be applied to Patrick’s own experiences. He wracks things up for some killer electric blues guitar work on ‘Nothing Happened At All’, about learning to act like you’re not dying inside in order to move on, while the steady beat of closer ‘Long Way Down’ reflects on how easy it is to fall to rock bottom.
Fans of his rawer blues work need not be disappointed, however, as ‘Back Home’ will remind them of his earlier material, and elements of blues, southern rock and soul permeate much of this record as much as alt country leads the way. There are some heavier moments, as there always will be long after a tragedy, but for the most part ‘Daytime Turned To Nighttime’ showcases Patrick’s maturing, settling down and sonic exploration into new terrains that find him ever-learning. Some fans may yearn for his rougher, more rocking days, but most will celebrate his obvious evolution into a more well-rounded artist, one that is battle-scarred but wiser for it.
‘Daytime Turned To Nighttime’ is due for release this Friday, September 18.
Originally posted here.
