Smith Westerns are one of those bands you'll get stuck in your head for a week or two and then suddenly forget about the next. So definitely try to listen to their self-titled debut as much as you can for the remainder of the week(s). The album gets better and better every listen.
A lot of bands these days try to create that 60's throwback sound using fuzz and distortion but it doesn't often work. Smith Westerns are a lo-fi band, yes, but they achieve the sound via songwriting. The chord progressions, upbeat bass, and doo-woppy drums all come together to create the sound that we've all been waiting for. The lyrics are even reminiscent of the 60's sound; "I wanna hold your hand/make you understand/I just wanna be your man, you know?" It's not all that fuzzy either. Well, at least the band doesn't try to emphasize the fuzz.
The way the tracks are compiled are also another accomplishment. The faster, more punky Jay Reatard-esque songs are in the beginning and the ballads come in towards the end, and clocking in just under 30 minutes makes the album all worth while.
If you're looking for that kind of nostalgic pop that doesn't try too hard to get that twee/shoegaze sound, definitely give this a listen or two, or three.
this is one of those lo-fi bands that could make the jump to better recording quality, since they're good songwriters..
ReplyDeletei was really surprised it took pitchfork so long to get on these guys since theyre from the chi
Chicago seems fun. They have Chic-a-Go-Go, man!
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