The Smith Street Band
More Scared Of You Than You Are Of Me
(SideOneDummy / Poolhouse)
No one said it would be easy and no one said it would be fun, but The Smith Street Band have turned heartache into relief (and maybe even a bit of happiness). The Australian band have poured their heart and soul into their fourth record More Scared Of You Than You Are Of Me. The album is without a doubt their most honest to date with the first half of the record featuring fast, thundering guitars and the latter features downtempo tracks with lead singer Wil Wagner’s take on his toxic relationship.
The album kicks in with “Forrest” and thus the story of a blossoming relationship leads the record in with colorful hooks and cooing bridges coupled with harmonized guitar leads. The band’s singles “Death To The Lads” and “Birthdays” are polished and mature; chock full of melodies from Wagner and friends. The transition in the record starts around “Passonia” where the lyrics “I’m just a pretty sad person in a quite surreal place/and I don’t look up from my phone because I know I won’t see your face and it’s pathetic” showcase what was going on in Wagner’s headspace through the process of the separation. While many of the songs on the record go through similar prose, as a whole it encompasses everything The Smith Street Band represent and bring to listeners; tales of friendship, love, depression, failure and hope. At times the album is punchy, with “25”, “It Kills Me To Have To Be Alive” and “Suffer” bring about The Smith Street Band’s frequently written about topic of what it’s like to live with mental health issues.
Sprinkled with acoustic bits in “Young Once”, the song reflects living in the moments of happiness even if they’re brief. This album is an emblem of growth for the band. It’s honest to the point of exhaust; it’s transparently poignant. Wagner might’ve gone through heartache during the tour for Throw Me In The River and the making of More Scared Of You Than You Are Of Me, but the band have emerged out into the light with chutzpah and gusto. Perfect for fans of the SideOneDummy Records gang, The Menzingers, Joyce Manor, Moose Blood and Iron Chic, More Scared Of You Than You Are Of Me will not disappoint.
Purchase the album here: SideOneDummy (Worldwide) | Poolhouse (AU)
