This Familiar Smile - What Kind Of Monster Am I?’
The Scottish Alternative rock scene is most definitely on the rise, but dont just take my word for it, This Familiar Smile’s 2nd EP really does back up that fact! With their debut release for Lockjaw, the Glasgow based quartet give enough reasons for us all to stop looking across the pond for the next band to cherish as we have one right under our noses, and I can safely say that the Carling Academy is sold out in advance with lesser acts.
Opening up with the stunning ‘An Ode To The Bomb’ which twists and turns and until a softer side is shown in the closing moments, the band do really give a statement of intent and this is continued throughout all four remaining tracks. ‘Love Is An Anchor That Drowns a Man’ and ‘For Me Paris Was Always A Spectator Sport’ show technical brilliance that will hopefully go on to influence many others to do the same. This Familiar Smile will obviously draw comparisons from such acts as At The Drive In and a more accessible Glassjaw, but a carbon copy they are not, adding their own unique blend of complex but melodic musicianship.
There is also no dead weight amongst the ranks with all four members combining equally to make a beautiful noise. With last years EP ‘The Days We Turn On Ourselves’ This Familiar Smile showed real promise of becoming a great band, and this time around they have well and truly kept that promise.
Andrew Mitchell
Opening up with the stunning ‘An Ode To The Bomb’ which twists and turns and until a softer side is shown in the closing moments, the band do really give a statement of intent and this is continued throughout all four remaining tracks. ‘Love Is An Anchor That Drowns a Man’ and ‘For Me Paris Was Always A Spectator Sport’ show technical brilliance that will hopefully go on to influence many others to do the same. This Familiar Smile will obviously draw comparisons from such acts as At The Drive In and a more accessible Glassjaw, but a carbon copy they are not, adding their own unique blend of complex but melodic musicianship.
There is also no dead weight amongst the ranks with all four members combining equally to make a beautiful noise. With last years EP ‘The Days We Turn On Ourselves’ This Familiar Smile showed real promise of becoming a great band, and this time around they have well and truly kept that promise.
Andrew Mitchell
