REVIEW: Smash Palace, Fast, Long, Loud (Imagine)
- Bob Gajarsky
The 1980s Philadelphia scene consisted primarily of guitar-rock bands looking to make it big. Although the Hooters made the jump to national prominence and Tommy Conwell got his video into MTV's prime rotation circuit, for many fans outside the city of Brotherly Love, that 'scene' never happened. Given those roadblocks, what chance was there of an American band named Smash Palace recording Brit-pop sounding like the Psychedelic Furs, before Britgroups were accepted en masse, breaking through in the States? Even the Stone Roses couldn't achieve the breakthrough...
Now, twelve years later, the Butler brothers (no relation to the Furs' members with the same surname) return back with their second album. Fast, Long, Loud doesn't have the backing of a major label, but does contain the hooks essential for any band - which seems to have been forgotten by many up and coming youngsters.
Tracks such as "Let Me Go" and "Another Man" will have Beatles fans of "She's A Woman" and "I Feel Fine" humming and tapping along to every beat. But more than just the straight Beatles' influence, it appears as if the Butlers were bowled over by another supergroup; the Traveling Wilburys.
True, George Harrison was in both groups. However, hints of Dylan and Jeff Lynne pop their heads through in cuts such as "Try" and "Ancient Rhyme". And I'd be surprised if the ghost of Roy Orbison didn't pop up for inspiration during the recording of Fast, Long, Loud.
Welcome back, Smash Palace. It's great to have a record with such strong musicianship coupled with irresistible melodies. Let's hope the next record doesn't take 13 years to see the light of day.
For further information on Smash Palace, check out the label's website at http://www.imaginerecords.com .
