THE SMUGGLERS
Mutiny In Stereo (Mint)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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One of the coolest good-time punk bands returns for their 6th full-length release, and from the first few moments of "Pirate Ships" it's clear they haven't lost a step. Grant Lawrence is in fine voice on eleven tunes likely to get you dancing, at the pub or in your living room. I've always found the Smugglers' songs entertaining and quite different from those of the zillions of other bands working the same side of the street, but the tunes on this album may be their best yet. Just quirky enough to keep you smiling, but powerful enough to keep you pumped up. Sometimes it's a little like The Boomtown Rats if they had balls and were produced accordingly, with amps cranked and miked and mikes re-cranked. Most of the time it's more like an explosive 60s R&B pub band with 70s guitar riffs. It all comes together just right. Vancouver B.C. has produced its share of great indie bands, and if anyone was taking their time adding The Smugglers to that list, Mutiny In Stereo will probably erase any doubt.

© 2004 - DJ Johnson