The first album from Smiley not to bear the "Friends" tag yet it still manages to sound both new and familiar despite the change to a core band set up. Without having to accommodate the various styles that his always well chosen guests bought "2021" is much more focussed but still explores the trademark indie with sixties influence sound of the previous albums.
The song writing again shines through and manages to achieve a sense of optimism and healing in "Another Day", acknowledge loss in "Goodbye Old Friend" while the whole album is set up with the mantra of "Just Show Love". Those upbeat Smiley bangers are , of course, present in droves and rest assured "Rise Above", "The Last To Know", "Hollywood" and "The Firm" have hooks galore as well as choruses that you can belt out not to mention a few tasty guitar solos!
So do you miss the "Friends"? Well, yes, no and maybe! It's certainly been a long time coming and building a core that can make live dates more of a possibility as well as grow into each other is a fantastic prospect however there are times where you wish that you had the presence of a voice like Kerry Barnard Schultz to bring something else to the mix but as a debut for the new direction the potential is limitless and you won't be disappointed!
No comments:
Post a Comment