Smoosh- free to stay
I guess one of the primary skills for any music critic is the ability to remove any sentiment from a record and analyse the record on face value-music alone. Bollocks. Smoosh are so desperately endearing that I challenge anyone to read a biog on this band and dismiss with immediate effect. Take two sisters, both barely teenagers besotted by music and soccer; and create a soft pop rock band. Imagine a household where an adolescent informs her parents how she wants, craves and needs to learn the drums; the rhythm can’t be contained any longer, and a talented musician whisks her off her feet (so to speak) to teach her the rules of music. Fairy tale stuff you might say- sickening almost.
Mentored (if you like) by Death Cab’s Jason McGerr, Smoosh have managed to earn US underground legendary status- touring the states with big names Jimmy Eat World, Pearl Jam and Death Cab for Cutie themselves, whilst this side of the globe featuring on tour with The Go! Team and Eels. Not a bad CV at the ages of 13 and 15 eh?
So- the sentiment won you over yet? Because hook line and sinker springs to mind. What makes it so fantastic and spares me any blushes is it’s actually a really good record. Of course, I wanted to love them, and no doubt this has played a part in my immediate enthusiasm; yet the opening to the album ‘free to stay’ could lighten any disaster field. We’re two years behind apparently as stateside ‘free to stay’ hit them in 2006; but it’s been well worth the wait.
Regina Spektor and Feist comparisons are as familiar as it gets really, primarily because the unusual concept of angelic vocals, naïve lyrics and rock music isn’t really easy to define regardless of constant efforts.
If you like heavy music, lyrics embossed with meaning and soul, then I wouldn’t bother. Yet the Seattle pair have brought us Free to Stay; an adorable, fun and consistent score, enabling butterflies and colours to soar from the inner depths of your childhood and unveil themselves to the industry. Yes- everybody loves Buckley, Drake and Radiohead for their ingenious melodies, variety of vocal ranges and stunning lyricists; but Smoosh haven’t really claimed to challenge any of these roles. Irritating at times? Yeah I guess I’ll give you that. But always the optimist; I would highly recommend.
Watch out for ‘rock song’ ‘free to stay’ and opening track ‘find a way’ to really grasp the album.