SAM SMITH

In The Lonely Hour

2014-06-26

British singer-songwriter Sam Smith has already spent time on top of the U.K. charts with his sweet, high-tenor voice.  Now Capitol Records has released his debut US album In The Lonely Hour, and he is receiving the full new-star treatment, with a high-profile publicity campaign including live performances on once-hip television shows.

Think of Sam Smith as a one-man boy band. He sings of love frustrated, love stymied, love lost, and romances that never blossomed. Production is tight, state of the art, highly controlled, and factory shiny. When they want more emotion, they bring in some strings. When they want a few cuts for the dance floor, they up the tempo and bring in a drum machine. The result is listenable commercial pop that goes down easy.

Where can you hear music like this? Nearly everywhere.

-Gerald Etkind

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 08/2007

    DEREK WEBB
    The Ringing Bell

  • reviewed 05/2007

    JAMES MORRISON
    Undiscovered

  • reviewed 09/2007

    MILTON AND THE DEVIL'S PARTY
    How Wicked We've Become

  • reviewed 07/2007

    Augie March
    Moo, You Bloody Choir

  • reviewed 05/2011

    BEASTIE BOYS
    Hot Sauce Committee Part Two

  • reviewed 10/2006

    MASON PROPER
    There Is A Moth In Your Chest

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.