aaamusic | On 05, Dec 2010

“Closer” the four track EP from Smile can be summed up in one word; underwhelming. There is very little to point out that is particularly at fault here apart from the fact that the band seem to be appealing to a lo-fi aesthetic that isn’t particularly relevant in the modern era. Rather than sounding edgy, the EP feels unfinished as though the production budget ran out before it got to the vocals. It is disappointing because musically it is at times excellent. Lead track “Closer” probes and is catchy enough with an interesting solo at its midpoint, however, self indulgence feels like arrogance here as though the group feels that they have achieved something that they haven’t.

There are moments where the band nearly gets it right but it is consistently let down by the vocals which are far too understated and lack an effervescence that should be present for a band that is just starting out. The vocals are even pitchy at times, most notably on “Swim.” It is also fair to say that the songs are just too long, not one comes in at under the four minute mark and when the songs are as mediocre as the ones on show here. There are times when the songs even deceptively end and then continue exactly where they left off; they don’t build and the break is as unnecessary as it is infuriating.

Musically, there are things to take hold of here but the lack of production on the vocals in contrast with the crisp and sharp instrumental simply lets the whole thing down.

Author: Josie Payne