So this is one of my favorite Minneapolis bands. Smith has an interesting warble that keeps me wanting to listen over and over. Their second album, Little Wind, drops Sept 20th (but super cool special people like me who donated to their Kickstarter got the digital download last week). They've kind of turned into this local super group of sorts (yes, that's a slight exaggeration). Drummer Arlen also drums for Cloud Cult and is also the nicest person you'll ever meet. Bassist/etc Jesse also plays with Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapels. So yeah, the talent is there.
I had high hopes for this album, so I was definitely afraid of being disappointed. But I wasn't. The first single, Tank Top, has been spinning on The Current for a while. Caroline's voice is kind of distorted, so I was glad that this wasn't used on all the songs. Songs that they've been playing a lot since releasing Backyard Tent Set were there- Birch Trees and Broken Barns, Denim Boy, etc. Hannah's Song features Nona from Dark Dark Dark on backup vocals, and it suits well, though it's quite soft and hard to tell unless you know Nona's voice.
The good-Eagle's Nest is so far my favorite song. That will change, of course, but for a song with so few lyrics, it's still moving. I like that a ukulele was used on Birch Trees and Broken Barns. The drums sound way better than they did on Backyard Tent Set. I felt like this time around they realized that Arlen is an amazing drummer and let him flex those muscles. He doesn't beat the drums like they owe him money, but there's something methodical about it. I can't quite put my finger on the right words to describe it just yet.
My only complaint (and it's not much of one) is that there were songs that had to be left off, specifically Rocking Chair and Maps.
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