Released - 1/18/11
Label - Fat Possum Records
BLURB - I had heard a little of Smith Westerns' music a couple months back and could tell they were going to have a decent 2011. With the indie-scene pretty much exhausting the lo-fi rock genre in 2010, someone had to come in and clean it up a little bit. Taking on that task, Smith Westerns usher in perhaps a new era, with their debut record filled with melodies, hooks and songs you can't help but sing along to. While the album still sounds a bit raw, you can't help but notice how tight and clean, yet uncompromisingly original it is. Think Ariel Pink meets The Thrills.
Rating - 8.5 out of 10
FULL STORY - The amazing thing about Smith Westerns, is that as of this date, none of the band members are old enough to drink. Hailing from Chicago, the band somehow conjures up tones, themes and colors that you'd expect to hear around a southern California beach. The album is incredibly breezy, bright and laid back - yet it also packs that veritable 'rock n roll' punch.
Opening the album is 'Weekend,' a smooth and gentle track that will casually float through your speakers before you know how great it is. Everything from the chord progressions to the charming background vocals are delivered with precision and grace. This song sounds like it was effortless to make, and it shows. Cleverly placed guitar riffs add character and balance to the song, and do a terrific job supporting the numerous hooks and melodies.
'Imagine, Pt 3' is filled with atmospheric harmonies and backing vocals over bouncing pianos. The song has a very warm and inviting feel to it. As with 'Weekend,' guitar lines puncture the song's ambient tone. The song is also broken up with varying degrees of intensity and force, giving the track a sense of diversity, rather than just allowing the music to muddle around in a haze.
'End of the Night' is packed with energy and makes for the perfect Saturday night song. The song opens with a smattering of screeching guitar riffs that flow in to the song's verse. As is the theme with much of the album, 'End of the Night,' does a great job switching up everything from the pace to the instrumentation. It makes listening to this song, and the album, exciting - as you never know what's around the corner. The lyrics tell a tale of a guys' night and convincing a girl to stay the night:
"We had fun, we didn't know what time it was. Close your eyes, oh girl, then I'll stay close. Don't know why the sun's up in the sky, close your eyes, oh girl. Then I'll stay close. Everybody wants to be a star on a Saturday night. Come with me baby and your eyes shine the sunlight. It's the end of the night, its the end of the night...are you gonna go home?"
Smiths Western's "Dye It Blonde" is filled with fresh musical perspectives and a genuine sense of excitement. As with the new year, there is a new level of intrigue and ingenuity that seems to bubbling underneath the surface of the music scene. And at the front of this wave is Smith Westerns. Fans of everyone from Ariel Pink, Real Estate, Woods, The Thrills, Surfer Blood and Dr. Dog will want to check out "Dye it Blonde."
Have a listen to "End of the Night."
Tracks
1.) Weekend
2.) Still New
3.) Imagine Pt. 3
4.) All Die Young
5.) Fallen in Love
6.) End of the Night
7.) Only One
8.) Smile
9.) Dance Away
10.) Dye the World
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