Smalltown

Smalltown: Read Between the Lines [10 inch]Read Between the Lines [10 inch] (2009)
Pirate's Press Records

Reviewer Rating: 3

Contributed by: InaGreendaseBrian
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Published on March 5th 2010Smalltown do a mid-tempo, power-pop-indebted style of melodic punk for this 10" EP, Read Between the Lines, that's not quite flooring, but agreeably sprightly and light enough to be pretty enjoyable. They're Swedish, too, but you'd never really know the difference. The most direct comparison that.

Smalltown do a mid-tempo, power-pop-indebted style of melodic punk for this 10" EP, Read Between the Lines, that's not quite flooring, but agreeably sprightly and light enough to be pretty enjoyable. They're Swedish, too, but you'd never really know the difference.

The most direct comparison that comes to mind is One Man Army, but beside "Disconnected," Smalltown don't quite pick up the punk rock pacing like them. They tend to operate at a more moderate but still upbeat tempo, while singer/guitarist Kalle L has a voice that's raspy, but never entirely so. The willingness to mix it up, with a vintage guitar tone and very tasteful, Costello-esque keys on "A Turn for the Worse" keep this seven-song, nearly 20-minute EP fresh early on, too.

In fact, they close with "Radio Radio." While it's possibly Costello's most covered song to the point of banality, it's done well and the homage is laid down tightly, so it's hard not to at least appreciate. The EP starts to drag just slightly before it with "All Good Things," which is another cover (the Statues) but the very doable Costello impersonation should get your attention back.

Definitely a solid debut, and the diecut cover is another pleasant, eye-catching packaging decision from Pirates Press.

STREAM
Boiling Point
A Turn for the Worse
All Good Things [the Statues cover]

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

gt98kla (March 11, 2010)

Just to clarify, this is not a debut record. In fact, it's smalltown's 10th release, or something like that. Before this, numerous 7"s, two full-length albums and a singles compilation were released.

hayman (March 7, 2010)

Sweet Band, I'll have to check this out.

lifebystereo (March 6, 2010)

I love this record, and the vinyl packaging is great as well!

NYblowhards (March 6, 2010)

the production sounds as good as any classic clash or costello

why aren't they huge?? they've been around for years.

i fucking told you!! smalltown should be getting lots of comments but shit bands that sound "orgcore", boring, useless, regurgitated sound get the kids excited. fucking drown out from town to down, genre to genre. don;t take much work. genre/sound. aint nothin new. appreciate the past.

NYblowhards (March 6, 2010)

i'm wearing a costello shirt.

sick!

smalltown is a very good band (lame language!) top notch punk and spirit. criminally unknown. (gonna check out the myspace links, NOT SO PUNK!!)

saladfingers (March 6, 2010)

Debut?

I thought Implosion was a fun and enjoyable listen. But not really a satisfying one in the long run

hate4hope (March 5, 2010)

Yeah, this record was done really well. ONE MAN ARMY, as well as THE JAM both came to mind right away, neither of which is a bad thing... I would have rather had a couple more originals, than the two cover songs though. Stoked for more...