Early contender for album of the year. It feels perfect. I think having road tested most of these tracks during the 2022 and 2023 tours helped with the final recordings. I still remember the first time I saw them play “read the room” and “friend of a friend” in NYC at Hammerstein Ballroom. Absolutely mind-blowing performances that had me beyond stoked for their eventual release. I could talk about this band all night. I’m lucky to have seen them 4 times in the last 2 years and hoping to add another to the list this year. Fantastic and very thoughtful review as always.
Great review, thanks. It's a tremendous album and is a lot more dense musically than the first and is very cinematic. Takes a while to digest. I saw them live last summer and it's amazing how much they can bring to the stage considering how much is going on in the songs. The best description I've heard of The Smile is that it's music for people who care about music.
Thank you! It does take a while to digest. I listened to the album nonstop for about two days to try to get my head around it enough to create a review. Yep, they're stunning live. I saw them in Dec 2022, blew me away.
This review makes me both happy and sad. Happy because I loved the first Smile album, and I still play it regularly. My copy of Wall of Eyes is due to be delivered today and can't wait. Sad as I've been a massive Radiohead fan since the Bends was released in 95 and it blew my tiny 16 year old brain! I still remember the day I got it, and just being awestruck by one amazing track after another. And then came OK Computer and Kid A... So nothing would make me happier, music wise, than a Radiohead reunion. But the more successful The Smile are, the more delayed or unlikely that is. So a mix of emotions (bit dramatic there, lol). The Smile are excellent, but I personally reckon nobody can match Radiohead. Stuart
I can understand the feeling, Stuart. I believe it's been around 8 yrs since the last Radiohead album. Thom and Jonny really appear to be enjoying themselves with The Smile so who knows when Radiohead will fire back up, but hopefully they will! Thanks for your comments!
I'm a big Radiohead fan from the beginning and now a fan of the smile who I'm going to see in march, remember that it is Radiohead's 40th anniversary next year and watched a podcast with Phil Selway on it saying that Radiohead will happen at some point 👍
@@StephenReid-hk8hsthanks. I don't want to get my hopes up, so will believe it when I see it! I'm trying to be optimistic (no pun intended) as I'm glad they are all well and making music in solo projects or different groups. But I really wish they'd convene for at least 1 more album. That would be awesome, and mean so much to the fans.
I enjoyed your review. Odd time signatures are nothing new for these guys, of course, but here they're employed so well, I think, that the repetitive 5/4 in the title track for example feels incredibly strange and mesmerizing at once. The way Thom counts the meter in the last part really brings that effect out for me. I've thought since their 1st album that they've managed to make weird time signatures work in a way that few bands ever do. I appreciate and enjoy this music a lot, already probably more than the last couple Radiohead albums if I'm honest. Jazz adjacent indeed. Prog adjoining. My shirt from their store just arrived in the mail. Keep smiling.... 😁
Thanks for the comments! You're right about their time signatures, it has really become signature sound. That off-kilter feel. Also, I do like this Smile album more than the last Radiohead but they're both brilliant.
I would go as far as to earmark this album as a seminal album of the 2020’s. I’ve been listening intently and the music has been unfolding. It’s thoughtful and beautiful. Music that keeps giving. I thought the debut was good but this is even better. I love it. Hmm…looking at your stuff. I’m gonna poke around. Subscribed 👍
@@MusicMentionsReal I’m a 60 yo Beatlemaniac with a horrible addiction to all things Zappa. My go to genre is prog vintage and otherwise but I also love the 90s and beyond. Everything from Apex Twin to Wet Leg. Am I your audience? 🤔
@@ilabelle1 Hey Ian, being a Beatlemaniac instantly qualifies you as my audience 🙂I dig me some Zappa and prog on occasion. I tend to have pretty wide musical taste so hopefully someone like you with eclectic tastes will find something of value in my vids.
I really love the woozy feeling from friend of a friend. with headphones it does something to my body, like i'm wading through a drunken mud. It's incredible. teleharmonic is also incredible
THIS is how you make a review for an album so dense as this. I'm still amazed of how this album has slowly grown on me. For me the first album is their ''hits or singles album'' and their take on presenting the new sound, which is rhythmically more complex than Radiohead but also has fewer sound layers being a trio and also alows itself to be more direct or raw. On the other hand the second album seems to be a more complex focusing more on the complete album experience, much more dense and for that reason it takes more time to digest, so I'm very pleased that now they have an album for each approach.
Thanks, Jube! It IS a thick album for sure. And it sounds more cohesive then their first one. I like your description of the first one as their 'hits or singles album', I think it's definitely more direct. Thanks for the comments!
Your Green Day saviors review was the first I came across. Recently friend of a friend got washed into my Spotify and I was really impressed with the song since I always enjoy complexer arrangements than typical verse chorus verse structures, so thx yt algorithm for showing me your video at the perfect time. I‘ll definitely listen to the whole album but as you said with musik like this time and active listening is important to fully appreciate so can’t really comment on the full album yet , „I quit“ sounded great on first listen aswell so seems promising!
10/10 agreed. This captured my imagination instantly …with its funky loose lines with ethereal rhythmic swirlings . Solid review by the way ….you really covered the the terrain nicely to see how it is we got to z Wall of Eyes 👍
Oh and the meaning behind Wall of Eyes has to do with feeling alone in a crowd of people, while having the feeling everyone is watching you. If you'll check the video, you'll know... He has written several songs with a similar sentiment. Feeling detached from the "normal" world and looking at it as an outsider. OK Computer is partly about this... The strap yourselfs in is more meant as "well, here we go into the big bad outside world again" which is depicted very clearly in de videoclip, by him leaving his house right after that sentence
Makes complete sense! Alienation is definitely a theme Thom has explored a lot in his work. Thanks for the comments and adding to the discussion on this video. I love this kind of contribution!
Bending hectic lyrics aren't literal like a car accident. It's a love song. Vintage soft top from the 60s is Thom (born in the 60s. He's writing about taking the plunge/falling in love.
I’m a huge Radiohead fan and now also a The Smile fan too. I have greatly enjoyed your review journey! Simply complete, on focus and deep! Bravo! I think that this new The Smile LP is a beautiful musical gem. I’m waiting to see them live in Rome in June!
Hey David, thanks for watching and the kind words! I'm glad that people seem to like my review format and this kind of feedback helps me to keep going. The album is indeed a gem and I hope I get a chance to see them again on this tour. Cheers!
Nice review. Very well drafted and eloquent. Agree on all comments really. It's a stunning masterpiece. Improves on every listen. Glad in a way it will fall under the mainstream radar, buy Jesus, what are these people missing out on. Pure beauty. Thanks for the review.
It's a brilliant record for sure. So much better on vinyl though a nice hifi system. Nearly a flawless pressing on blue for me. A bit of noise here and there and three loud pops during bending hectic (annoying) but one of my best XL recordings. I’ve listened to this album via Tidal on headphones and honestly this record is miles ahead. So many small details missed via streaming. A really relaxed and musical record. So chill! Your review style is fantastic. Followed.
Great album and a lot better than the first one. I've been a Radiohead fan since 1997 and grew with them. Btw: other Radiohead members (Ed & Phil) have recently commented that they still have regular contact and Radiohead is not disbaned or inactive at all. Everyone is just doing their own thing right now and that started with Ed's solo project EOB, where he is currently recording a second album for.
About the only thing I like and find musically interesting among new releases in pop music these days is The Smile’s work. Otherwise, I’m only checking out new classical or jazz releases.
I am seeing these guys on Tuesday. salivating. next level stuff. and agree with your rating. check out their recent BBC Radio 6 Music Live Festival on YT. 1hr 40m of bliss
Hey Mark, thanks for tipping me off to The Last Dinner Party! I somehow completely missed the hype on this band. However, after listening to the album today I decided it will be my next review. Thanks again!
Regarding your "read" of Read The Room, yes... the whole album is about this... The wall of eyes is the public. It's a message of warning to the "elite", including politicians, that We are watching. Both of these two albums were a response to 2020, and the trauma of the nightmare dystopian scenario they seemingly wanted.
Hey Paul, good to know! Historically colored vinyl was always sonically suspect, same with picture discs. However, in recent years they really figured out how to manufacture colored albums that maintain great sound quality. Disappointed to hear that this colored Smile album might have subpar SQ.
this album is insane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! every song on it is golden, im shocked!!!
Early contender for album of the year. It feels perfect. I think having road tested most of these tracks during the 2022 and 2023 tours helped with the final recordings. I still remember the first time I saw them play “read the room” and “friend of a friend” in NYC at Hammerstein Ballroom. Absolutely mind-blowing performances that had me beyond stoked for their eventual release. I could talk about this band all night. I’m lucky to have seen them 4 times in the last 2 years and hoping to add another to the list this year.
Fantastic and very thoughtful review as always.
Thanks for watching!
I really like your approach to reviewing - providing info about the members, the artwork, the track listing, quotes, lyrics and of course, the music
Thank you for the kind words 🙂!
Great review, thanks. It's a tremendous album and is a lot more dense musically than the first and is very cinematic. Takes a while to digest. I saw them live last summer and it's amazing how much they can bring to the stage considering how much is going on in the songs. The best description I've heard of The Smile is that it's music for people who care about music.
Thank you! It does take a while to digest. I listened to the album nonstop for about two days to try to get my head around it enough to create a review. Yep, they're stunning live. I saw them in Dec 2022, blew me away.
I liked the first album but to me the second one blows it away.
This review makes me both happy and sad. Happy because I loved the first Smile album, and I still play it regularly. My copy of Wall of Eyes is due to be delivered today and can't wait.
Sad as I've been a massive Radiohead fan since the Bends was released in 95 and it blew my tiny 16 year old brain! I still remember the day I got it, and just being awestruck by one amazing track after another. And then came OK Computer and Kid A... So nothing would make me happier, music wise, than a Radiohead reunion. But the more successful The Smile are, the more delayed or unlikely that is.
So a mix of emotions (bit dramatic there, lol). The Smile are excellent, but I personally reckon nobody can match Radiohead. Stuart
I can understand the feeling, Stuart. I believe it's been around 8 yrs since the last Radiohead album. Thom and Jonny really appear to be enjoying themselves with The Smile so who knows when Radiohead will fire back up, but hopefully they will! Thanks for your comments!
I'm a big Radiohead fan from the beginning and now a fan of the smile who I'm going to see in march, remember that it is Radiohead's 40th anniversary next year and watched a podcast with Phil Selway on it saying that Radiohead will happen at some point 👍
@@StephenReid-hk8hsthanks. I don't want to get my hopes up, so will believe it when I see it! I'm trying to be optimistic (no pun intended) as I'm glad they are all well and making music in solo projects or different groups. But I really wish they'd convene for at least 1 more album. That would be awesome, and mean so much to the fans.
I enjoyed your review. Odd time signatures are nothing new for these guys, of course, but here they're employed so well, I think, that the repetitive 5/4 in the title track for example feels incredibly strange and mesmerizing at once. The way Thom counts the meter in the last part really brings that effect out for me. I've thought since their 1st album that they've managed to make weird time signatures work in a way that few bands ever do. I appreciate and enjoy this music a lot, already probably more than the last couple Radiohead albums if I'm honest. Jazz adjacent indeed. Prog adjoining. My shirt from their store just arrived in the mail. Keep smiling.... 😁
Thanks for the comments! You're right about their time signatures, it has really become signature sound. That off-kilter feel. Also, I do like this Smile album more than the last Radiohead but they're both brilliant.
I would go as far as to earmark this album as a seminal album of the 2020’s.
I’ve been listening intently and the music has been unfolding. It’s thoughtful
and beautiful. Music that keeps giving. I thought the debut was good but
this is even better. I love it.
Hmm…looking at your stuff. I’m gonna poke around.
Subscribed 👍
Thanks for the comments and the sub!!
@@MusicMentionsReal
I’m a 60 yo Beatlemaniac with a horrible addiction to all things Zappa.
My go to genre is prog vintage and otherwise but I also love the
90s and beyond. Everything from Apex Twin to Wet Leg.
Am I your audience?
🤔
@@ilabelle1 Hey Ian, being a Beatlemaniac instantly qualifies you as my audience 🙂I dig me some Zappa and prog on occasion. I tend to have pretty wide musical taste so hopefully someone like you with eclectic tastes will find something of value in my vids.
@@MusicMentionsReal
Oh good! So, we can talk about Frank’s cover of I Am the Walrus.
Perfect!👍
@@ilabelle1 Frank's cover is fun but the best cover of Walrus is by Oasis for me.
I really love the woozy feeling from friend of a friend. with headphones it does something to my body, like i'm wading through a drunken mud. It's incredible. teleharmonic is also incredible
Wall of Smiles is a great headphone listen! Glad you're digging the album!
THIS is how you make a review for an album so dense as this. I'm still amazed of how this album has slowly grown on me.
For me the first album is their ''hits or singles album'' and their take on presenting the new sound, which is rhythmically more complex than Radiohead but also has fewer sound layers being a trio and also alows itself to be more direct or raw.
On the other hand the second album seems to be a more complex focusing more on the complete album experience, much more dense and for that reason it takes more time to digest, so I'm very pleased that now they have an album for each approach.
Thanks, Jube! It IS a thick album for sure. And it sounds more cohesive then their first one. I like your description of the first one as their 'hits or singles album', I think it's definitely more direct. Thanks for the comments!
The name "the Smile" comes from the William Blake Poem of the same name.
Thank you, Scott! This is not something I was aware of. I love this type of comment!
@MusicMentionsReal -yw.
Great review btw👍🏻
I REALLY LIKE YOUR REVIEW THANKS
Thank you, Julie!
Your Green Day saviors review was the first I came across. Recently friend of a friend got washed into my Spotify and I was really impressed with the song since I always enjoy complexer arrangements than typical verse chorus verse structures, so thx yt algorithm for showing me your video at the perfect time. I‘ll definitely listen to the whole album but as you said with musik like this time and active listening is important to fully appreciate so can’t really comment on the full album yet , „I quit“ sounded great on first listen aswell so seems promising!
Awesome! Glad you're on board. Would love to hear what you think of Wall of Eyes after you've lived with it for a while.
Love the album. Several amazing albums this year already ... The Smile, Future Islands etc.
I love me some Future Islands! Thanks for watching 🙂
10/10 agreed.
This captured my imagination instantly …with its funky loose lines with ethereal rhythmic swirlings .
Solid review by the way ….you really covered the the terrain nicely to see how it is we got to z Wall of Eyes 👍
Thank you! I truly love this album
Loce the album, love the review. Teleharmaonic, bending hectic, Friend of a friend and I Quit are all superb. Very immersive listening experience
'Immersive' is a perfect description! Thanks for watching!
Bending Hectic is on another level
@@mikeking683 Indeed, it's epic and one of my favorites they've done. Superb piece of art
Oh and the meaning behind Wall of Eyes has to do with feeling alone in a crowd of people, while having the feeling everyone is watching you. If you'll check the video, you'll know... He has written several songs with a similar sentiment. Feeling detached from the "normal" world and looking at it as an outsider. OK Computer is partly about this... The strap yourselfs in is more meant as "well, here we go into the big bad outside world again" which is depicted very clearly in de videoclip, by him leaving his house right after that sentence
Makes complete sense! Alienation is definitely a theme Thom has explored a lot in his work. Thanks for the comments and adding to the discussion on this video. I love this kind of contribution!
Great video. You’re very thorough and that’s really hard to find these days
Thanks, Ted! I really appreciate it!
Bending hectic lyrics aren't literal like a car accident. It's a love song. Vintage soft top from the 60s is Thom (born in the 60s. He's writing about taking the plunge/falling in love.
Hey Robert! Thanks for the interpretation, I can kind of see the connection. Not sure I buy it, but I can see it 🙂
“Just be patient. That’s all I’m sayin’. Just be patient.” - Stephen A Smith
Fantastic review of a fantastic album
Thank you!
I’m a huge Radiohead fan and now also a The Smile fan too. I have greatly enjoyed your review journey! Simply complete, on focus and deep! Bravo! I think that this new The Smile LP is a beautiful musical gem. I’m waiting to see them live in Rome in June!
Hey David, thanks for watching and the kind words! I'm glad that people seem to like my review format and this kind of feedback helps me to keep going. The album is indeed a gem and I hope I get a chance to see them again on this tour. Cheers!
Love the review and 10 score. The LP is an absolute gem (I'm a massive RH and Smile fan so no alarms or surprises that I loved it). Pure genius.
Thanks Mike!!
Nice review. Very well drafted and eloquent. Agree on all comments really. It's a stunning masterpiece. Improves on every listen. Glad in a way it will fall under the mainstream radar, buy Jesus, what are these people missing out on. Pure beauty. Thanks for the review.
Hey Mark, thank you! I would wholeheartedly agree with 'Pure beauty'.
I've only played it twice since I bought it last week, but it's already captured me with its brilliance. !0 out of 10 indeed.
It's a brilliant record for sure. So much better on vinyl though a nice hifi system. Nearly a flawless pressing on blue for me. A bit of noise here and there and three loud pops during bending hectic (annoying) but one of my best XL recordings. I’ve listened to this album via Tidal on headphones and honestly this record is miles ahead. So many small details missed via streaming. A really relaxed and musical record. So chill! Your review style is fantastic. Followed.
Thank you! Glad you're digging the album 🙂
Great album and a lot better than the first one. I've been a Radiohead fan since 1997 and grew with them. Btw: other Radiohead members (Ed & Phil) have recently commented that they still have regular contact and Radiohead is not disbaned or inactive at all. Everyone is just doing their own thing right now and that started with Ed's solo project EOB, where he is currently recording a second album for.
I agree that this album is better than their debut. I love them both. Like you, I suspect Radiohead will be back. Thanks for watching!
About the only thing I like and find musically interesting among new releases in pop music these days is The Smile’s work. Otherwise, I’m only checking out new classical or jazz releases.
I am seeing these guys on Tuesday. salivating. next level stuff. and agree with your rating. check out their recent BBC Radio 6 Music Live Festival on YT. 1hr 40m of bliss
Hey, Ruairi! Have a great time at their show. I saw them at the tail end of 2022 and they were mesmerizing.
Excellent review!
Thank you!
Superbe review ! Cet album est un classique !
Thank you!
9.9 great review love the format a sub from me. 2.2.24 the last dinner party debut album uk female band love to see you review it stay safe.
Thank you! I'm gonna give Dinner Party a listen, thanks for the suggestion!
Hey Mark, thanks for tipping me off to The Last Dinner Party! I somehow completely missed the hype on this band. However, after listening to the album today I decided it will be my next review. Thanks again!
Bally spiffing look forward to it.
Regarding your "read" of Read The Room, yes... the whole album is about this... The wall of eyes is the public. It's a message of warning to the "elite", including politicians, that We are watching. Both of these two albums were a response to 2020, and the trauma of the nightmare dystopian scenario they seemingly wanted.
Thanks for commenting and your take! Unfortunately is seems that all we can do about the elite these days is watch them have their way with us.
@@MusicMentionsReal Well, it sounds like you get it! This is why Thom says... "I Quit".
It’s an amazing album but the quality of the blue vinyl is disappointing. The sound is dull and rolled off, then the noise completely ruins the music.
Hey Paul, good to know! Historically colored vinyl was always sonically suspect, same with picture discs. However, in recent years they really figured out how to manufacture colored albums that maintain great sound quality. Disappointed to hear that this colored Smile album might have subpar SQ.
The album just sounds so dreary and a little depressing. It exhibits no energy...overrated