In the promotional materials for ‘Mrs. Ladyships and The Cleanerhouse Boys’, The Smashing Times ask the pressing question: “How many times can you really watch ‘Blow Up’ alone in your room?”, before suggesting that their fifth album presents the work of “your new favourite Mod band”. Although, for the unaware, this might conjure thoughts of discovering an underground phenomenon in the mould of Secret Affair, or perhaps The Len Price 3, the Baltimore band is potentially setting the unsuspecting listener up for a fall. Beyond its grand title and fanciful claims, ‘Mrs. Ladyships…’ offers a world of similar sounds to prior Smashing Times long players, in that any 60s influences are offset by some fairly lo-fi production values.
Category Archives: Album & EP Reviews
IAIN MATTHEWS – Thro’ My Eyes: The Vertigo Years 1970-1974
After leaving Fairport Convention rather prematurely in 1969, singer songwriter Iain Matthews embarked on what was to be an epic musical journey. His first solo album ‘Matthews’ Southern Comfort’, released that same year, saw him venturing further away from folk and further into the realms of country rock and Americana, and two further albums released under the Matthews’ Southern Comfort band name cemented a warm, rootsy sound, eventually netting Matthews a UK #1 hit with a cover of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Woodstock’, presented in the mould of the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young version. For the more casual observer, that will be the recording for which Iain is best known.
CIAO MALZ – Safe Then Sorry EP
On her 2022 EP ‘To Go’, Ciao Malz presented some interesting alt-pop sounds. It’s finest three minutes,‘Your Winner’, introduced listeners to someone who appeared to meld the Fleetwood Mac obsessions of Lissie with the pop of Chvrches. By centring everything around a superb bassline, the light pop sound also shared a great groove, creating a sound upon which singer-songwriter Malia DelaCruz could certainly build. The late period Rilo Kiley influence at the heart of ‘Around’, in particular, proved this was no fluke.
DWELLED – Suffering Heritage EP
Should you encounter any of Dwelled’s online promotional materials before listening to this EP, you’ll find them described using words like “unforgiving” and “blistering”. That’s really not far from the truth. ‘Suffering Heritage’s six tracks attack with a genuine force, where a contemporary metalcore sound is peppered with moments of death tinged brutality. With everything clocking in at under four minutes – under three in many cases – the band haven’t left much room for flowery experimentation, or much else in the way of branching out.
SUGAR BONES – Sugar Bones EP
On their debut EP, US funk/rock band Sugar Bones prove the old theory that quality will always trump quantity. In a little under twenty minutes, these guys whip up an impressive musical party: with three slabs of tight funk, a strong soul inspired jam, and a massive rocker with some serious 70s boots, there’s something here for most listeners who love things with a retro sound.