SMITH WESTERNS

Dye It Blonde

2011-03-14

Smith Westerns made their first album on the computer at home, in Chicago. By all accounts, the result was decidedly garage-y. For Smith Westerns’ second album, “Dye It Blonde”, they were backed by Fat Possum Records, they used a professional studio, and they had a professional producer in Chris Coady (Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs and TV on the Radio). All this boils down to a more slickly layered production. The thing I saw repeated over and over in my research on this band was a comparison to TRex. I don’t see it. What I hear on this Chicago band’s release is a 60’s influence with maybe a teensy bit of 70’s ELO thrown in (especially on "Imagine Pt. 3”). “Dye It Blonde” got kind of mundane about half-way through, but it’s good for a song or two with its radio-friendly melodies. Rebecca Ruth

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 07/2004

    Martina Topley-Bird
    Anything

  • reviewed 03/2012

    THE EXPLORERS CLUB
    Grand Hotel

  • reviewed 03/2008

    The Flowbs
    Grazing Like The Elephants

  • reviewed 11/2016

    Handsome Ghost
    The Brilliant Glow

  • reviewed 10/2006

    HONKEYTONK HOMESLICE

  • reviewed 10/2006

    SPARKLEHORSE
    Dreamt For Light Years In The Belly Of A Mountain

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.