Smith Westerns @ Triple Rock 2/24/11 (Concert Review)

About halfway through Smith Westerns' brief yet effective set last night at the Triple Rock, frontman Cullen Omori told the mostly full crowd, "we've got a motto on this tour...and it's 'Balls Deep.' So let's go balls deep tonight." Even if he didn't declare the band's motto so overtly, I'm fairly certain the throngs of supporters they had last night would have felt their intention. Throughout 45 minutes and a baker's dozen of songs, the young Chicagoans proved why they seem to be on every blogger's radar these days.

Opening with "Still New," one of the many highlights of their recent release Dye It Blonde, the guitar-heavy group instantly got the young crowd nodding in approval and swaying in appreciation. When I reviewed the record last month, I referenced Jodi Kramer, the uber-hottie from Dazed And Confused. As Smith Westerns blazed through their set, I couldn't help but imagine Omori as the perfect hair stand-in for Jodi's younger brother Mitch. Throughout the evening, he exuded boyish charm in tandem with a natural frontman vibe. The rest of the band? Equally entrancing. Not only did lead guitarist Max Kakacek absolutely shred on his cherry red SG, but he did so while it rested on his shoulder not via guitar strap, but rather by extra-long shoelace (credit to @solace for bringing this to light).

As they tore through song after song, void of gimmicks or cliche, Smith Westerns became likable not just for the music that they create, but also the vibe they set. Still humble and obviously having a blast with their newfound success, the guys seemed taken aback by the credit they've been given. At one point, before bluntly stating [pun intended] that "this is a good song with some dank," Omori said shyly and smilingly, "you guys are a very respectful crowd...thank you for that."

Dye It Blonde was featured heavily throughout the set, with "Imagine Part 3" and the buzz-worthy single "Weekend" serving as standouts. They managed to fit in a few older songs as well, including the fuzzy (not fussy) "Girl In Love," before calling it a night with a quick and meaningful "thank you."

For anyone that got there early enough, openers Unknown Mortal Orchestra were a very pleasant surprise. According to their bassist, whose name I forgot to ask, their debut LP is due out early this June, provided they can find the right label to release it (it was originally scheduled to be released on True Panther Sounds in April, but now that picture is cloudy). Boasting a raucous post-punk sound and what can only be described as guitar clawing, UMO definitely provided a more than worthy starter to Smith Westerns' main course.

Smith Westerns - Dye It Blonde (Album Review)

SMITH WESTERNS * DYE IT BLONDE

(Fat Possum Records)

Over the past several years, there's been an unwelcome trend in rock music of not focusing enough on the guitar, which is arguably the star of that genre. Smith Westerns stick up a giant middle finger to that tendency with their sophomore record, Dye It Blonde. Kicking off the album is "Weekend," the first single, a punchy track that shows us just what we should expect from the rest of the record...perfectly fuzzy guitars, dreamy vocals and hook after hook after hook.

The way this whole record defies timelines is one of its most defining traits. Smith Westerns give us a history of rock & roll without forcing a vintage feel. The distinctive wailing guitar on the appropriately named "Still New" provides the soundtrack for what you'd expect to hear if you were lucky enough to make out with Jodi Kramer. Immediately following is "All Die Young," which gives us a 90s style singalong vibe, with pop sensibility that seems too easy to sound this good. After Smith Westerns fit us into a comfortable guitar-rich vibe, they then throw out "Dance Away," which would make even the squarest of squares tap his foot in rhythmic delight.

Every song on this record is perfectly polished, but not overproduced. We get a complete sense of what type of band they are, not what they think they should be...and the fact that the young Chicagoans still can't drink at their own shows makes this sophomore effort even more impressive. When I was a 20, I was befriending whomever had a fake ID or could loan me $5 for a keg cup...these babyfaces are making legit rock music and proving that they've got one hell of a future ahead of them. They win.

Grade: A

Smith Westerns - Weekend from Fat Possum Records on Vimeo.