The first release from appropriately monickered L.A. beach rockers THE SMILES features six slices of slacker sunshine-tinged indie pop that's true to the U.S. West Coast indie stylo.
The band's popularity was a key factor in making this release happen in the first place; partly fan-financed (lovers of their music chucked in over $3.000 towards the mixing and remastering), the EP (which incidentially gets it's name from the L.A. locale where it was conceived) boasts a distinctive D.I.Y. ramshackle approach that's true to it's roots.
This is apparent long before confirmation arrives with the final track's homegrown bikini-ode to 'California-a-a-aaaa Girls', as the four self-styled purveyors of 'tropical rock' crank up the feelgood factor from the start. Opener 'Cala Cola' sees Hermosa's Spanish heritage serenaded before successive tributes smalltown L.A. beach lifestyle arrive, simply titled 'Sun' and 'Swimming'.
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Rolling basslines and messy guitars surf towards, drop outs with sketchy, androgynous two-part harmonies and lazy, hazy drum fills. It's the archetypal summer record, with a predictable but easy, endearing sound forming the basis of the band's overall style.
It might even put you in mind of UK acts such as THE ANSWERING MACHINE, only with socks full of sand, whiter teeth a better tan. There's no side to it at all as, utterly free of complications, it's blissful qualities are allowed to fair flourish.
The Smiles on Moispace
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