Album Review: Dye It Blonde by Smith Westerns

These guys are a hot item right now. Their first album came out of Chicago back in 2009 and was embraced as a solid lo-fi exploration of garage and glam rock from the 60's and 70's.  Their second album has been highly anticipated as they move into a studio and get more production behind them. 

The sound is much more polished, but they have held onto the basic ideas of their first album.  The album consists of solid 60's inspired pop tunes that are then wrapped in this garage/glam sound.  It actually works pretty well and so you get a solid album of pop tunes. 

There is no doubt these guys are talented song writers and they have found a sound that works, but for me there is a certain lifelessness to the music.  It drags a bit and seems to be missing the most important components of both garage and glam rock, energy. 

If they can figure out how to add a dose of aggression to their sound, then they could really do something, as it is they've got a nice album that I will soon forget I heard.

This would be a good album to play on a day trip to an amusement park or out on a date with a girl who use to be your best friend.

Following the Rhapsody rating method I give it 2 out of 5 stars for Not Bad.

Smith Westerns - Weekend from Fat Possum Records on Vimeo.