News about Smoosh
By Frank Yang
Photo by Frank YangTwo words you hate to use when talking about Smoosh are "novelty" and "adorable". But it can't be helped, and it shouldn't always be interpreted as a negative. And if it's taken as such, then the fact that when all is said and done, they're a pretty terrific pop band no matter how novel their set-up or how old they are is all the more impressive. They were in town at the end of last week wrapping up a tour in support of Tokyo Police Club and found the time to squeeze in an in-store performance at Sonic Boom to a smallish crowd. I'd been impressed when I first saw them in 2006 opening for Eels and now, a couple years later and decidedly more road-tested, they played with a good deal more confidence though I'm sure the store's rec room vibe also helped put them at ease. Drummer Chloe is even more of an accomplished drummer now, and she was no slouch before, and keyboardist/singer Asya's vocals are reaping the benefits of the adult lung capacity I mentioned last time I say them. And if there was a risk of them outgrowing the "pre-teen sister act" angle, they've addressed that with the addition of youngest sister Maia, all of ten years old, on bass. When was the last time you saw a band member skip on stage? Too adorable. The performance encouraged me to revisit their last record, 2006's Free To Stay. It's a terrific little pop gem that's youthfully exuberanct without being childish, yet casts an unexpectedly wistful and minor-key shadow and has a musical and melodic sophistication that'd be impressive for an artist of any age. They're due to release their third record sometime this year and while it's always interesting to see how artists mature from record to record, that's even more so the case for them.
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