Swearing At Motorists: 31 Seasons In The Minor Leagues [Album Review]

Swearing At Motorists
31 Seasons In The Minor Leagues
BB*ISLAND [2025]

“A triumphant return from Dayton’s most underrated rock minimalists.”

Album Overview: Swearing At Motorists emerged from the same Dayton, OH music scene that spawned bands like The Breeders, Brainiac, and Guided by Voices, but they never achieved the same sort of notoriety as those more well-known acts. And that’s a shame—Dave Doughman’s short, punchy songwriting and the band’s energetic live performances should have propelled them into the big leagues. After a move to Germany and a decade-long hiatus, they’re back with 31 Seasons in the Minor Leagues, a new set of 10 songs that picks up right where they left off.

Musical Style: Swearing At Motorists’ sound is back-to-basics indie rock: guitars, drums, bass (sometimes), and the occasional cameo from other instruments supporting Doughman’s distinctive vocals.

Evolution of Sound: The band’s production values have steadily improved since their early lo-fi days, and 31 Seasons may be their best-produced record yet. That’s not to say the rough edges have been smoothed out too much, though—the guitars still have grit, Doughman’s double-tracked vocals are warm and clear, and the drums sit in the mix just right.

Artists with Similar Fire: Swearing at Motorists should appeal to just about any indie rock fan, especially those who like bands like The Replacements, Sebadoh, Guided by Voices, and Pedro the Lion. Classic rock fans should also take note—they weren’t nicknamed the “two-man Who” for nothing!

Pivotal Tracks: The opening three tracks are some of the strongest, the moody “All That I Have” contrasting with the quirky, guitar-chugging riffs of “Italian Wine.” “Naked and Famous” is another standout that feels like a future-classic Swearing at Motorists track. There are four covers on the album too, the strongest of which is Scout Niblett’s “Your Beat Kicks Back Like Death” which closes the album—although the title track (a Jason Molina tune) is no slouch either.

Lyrical Strength: Some of Doughman’s lyrics deal with familiar, relatable themes like the monotony of a boring job (“Didn’t Cross The Ocean”) or an impending sense of mortality (“All That I Have”). Others, like “Eleven Hours,” are slice of life narratives that capture individual moments and snatches of conversation, filtered through Doughman’s wry irony.

Final Groove: 31 Seasons in the Minor Leagues marks the welcome return of one of indie rock’s most under-appreciated songwriters. While longtime fans might have hoped for a bit more original material, the covers fit right in, and the new songs show that Doughman’s songwriting well is far from dry. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait another decade to hear from Swearing at Motorists again!

SWEARING AT MOTORISTS REVIEW HISTORY
While Laughing The Joker Tells The Truth (2014) / Postcards From A Drinking Town (Collected Singles From ’96-’02) (2011) / Exile On Gipsstrasse (2006) / Last Night Becomes This Morning (2006)

SWEARING AT MOTORISTS LINKS
Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | BB*ISLAND