Wild Smiles
Always Tomorrow
October 27 2014 (Sunday Best Recordings)
6/10
Words: Alison Mack
The 11 track debut album from Winchester's Wild Smiles exceeds no more than roughly 31 minutes in length, which is a fair indication that the trio are going to deliver a set of fast, no frills, no messin' garage rock. That in itself may surprise those who first came upon this outfit in their early stages and via last year's 'Sweet Sixteen'/'Tangled Hair' 7", which surfed in the garage rather than played about on fucked up raucousness in it.
That's not to say there is none of the former fuzzed up guitar riffs, or the psych-shoegaze elements, still much in evidence on this album, which was produced by the band's Chris Peden. They may have upped the punk-pop notches a tad, but whilst still holding on to their melodic structuring, they've expanded, rather than lost momentum.
While the title track feels akin to what the Beach Boys might sound like were they starting out now. 'The Best Few Years' and the blasting 'Fool For You' both play to the grunge pop card, with touch of rock n roll on the side via 'Figure It Out' is a full on rage. Album single cut 'Girlfriend' is an thundering piece that is driven by the solid guitar sound and shows that Wild Smiles are no slouches when it comes to delivering a catchy tune amidst all the two chord Ramones outtakes. Elsewhere, 'Never Wanted This' creates some 90s grunge imagery, balanced feedback and gnarly, fuzzy vocals.
'Hold On', meshing grunge with glam, holds a deeper relevance lyrically, having been inspired by a friend of Chris’ who killed himself, and the sense of hopelessness of British youth in 2014. “People my age can't get a job,” Chris sings. “Nothing to do, it’s so fucked up/People my age can't get a job/Get a house, get a car, get a life…who’s there for us?”
For all its merits - and Wild Smiles are indeed a good live band - 'Always Tomorrow' feels drawn a little too closely to the style and influences of others to warrant its own individuality, thus leaving a feeling of having heard its likes too often before.
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