Customer Reviews

Free to Stay

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Smoosh consists of 2 girls, ages 12 and 14, who play keyboard and drums. Asya does lead vocals and keyboard. Chloe plays drums. They both are an awesome sister act and are really pros. Their first CD, She Like Electric, was filled with be-bop and experimental, such as "RAD", which was a rap song about soccer. Not my first choice. Some songs were just plain silly, like "The Quack" and I can totally see why they did that, because I'm a tween too, and I would want to do that! (I'm 12) This CD, Free to Stay, has still an innocent feel, but more moodier, sadder, and more feelings. In She Like Electric, it was just plain fun. In their latest CD, the mood is deeper and feels sad, with mystique. You can tell the girls are maturing with their songs. They're not just a debut indie rock band anymore, they're emerging into the real world. It's a wonderful feel, and I love it so much. She Like Electric is a boat of fun, and I love it too, but Free to Stay is so much more pretty.
Liza A., Age 12

The Smoosh debut album was a charmer; playful, passionate, and melodic. "Free To Stay," though similar in instrumentation and setup, soars ahead with more sophisticated flare without losing the innocence and sincerity of the last album. What's different is a more solid, marketable album demonstrating an amazing maturity by this young duo. Here are a few notable highlights from this solid album:

"Waiting for Something" is an incredibly powerful ballad that features acoustic guitar (the only cut that does actually), and Asya's vocals here would fool anyone that she's 14. Along with "Slower than Gold," these ballads give us an accurate preview of her career as a vocalist in the future, which is more than promising. If you wish to hear another great example, look for Asya's performance on Head Like a Kite's track "Noisy At the Circus" from the album "Random Portraits of the Home Movie".

"Rock Song" is just that, a ROCKIN' song; powerful, energetic, and an incredibly strong chorus. Was this really written by a 14-year-old? Maybe Asya should be writing for some older bands. Amazing.

"Clap On" is a jazzy tune that, again... amazing song writing! Brilliant chorus.

"Find a Way" is the single (or first single) from the album... though perhaps not officially released (yet?), it is obvious this would be the single, and there's even a great music video for this cut, so look out for it. At any rate, this is the album's greatest strength, and tightest song all in all; catchy, strong, just incredible.

When comparing both Smoosh albums, I like both for different reasons. I tend to listen to "She Like Electric" more often, even though I feel this album is stronger as an album. Perhaps the charm of the first album appeals to me more as at times it is more obvious that these are young kids having a good time with music, whereas "Free to Stay" is a greater stride towards complete band success to be recognized for the music entirely, and not the age of the creators. It will be very interesting to see where these girls are 5 years from now. Let's hope they've already proven they can skip American Idol and go right to the top :P

Two years ago Smoosh released its debut album, "She Likes Electric", which was pleasant and quirky but with too many uneven moments to make it an all-around solid album. With much anticipation, we now get the band's second album.

"Free to Stay" (12 tracks, 37 min.) starts off with a blazing "Find a Way" and the message is clear and immediate: the band's drums-and-keyboard sound has progressed a lot since "She Like Electric", and for the better. We have real songs here, not just a quirky and "experimental" sound. Check out the poppy title track, and "I Would Go", an upbeat track. "Rock Song" finds the band rocking harder than ever. Another highlight is "She's Right", with nervous energy abounding everywhere, and a fuller sound again by a bass-like keyboard. Closer "Slower Than Gold" is a beautiful and pensive ballad, and the perfect way to end the album. I can't wait to see how these songs translate in a live setting, and where the band goes from here.

I have purposefully not mentioned until now that Smoosh consists of 2 sisters, ages 14 and 12. The curiosity factor around Smoosh is so high that inevitably the band comes out short-changed. Which is truly regrettable, as "Free to Stay" shows substantial artistic growth from "She Likes Electric", and I can't wait to see how these songs translate in concert. Highly recommended!

This is the music little kids ought to listen to. It's made by two (nearly) teenage girls, sisters, from Washington. They play their own instruments, write their own songs, and have indie "cred" and sensibility. It's sweet, genuine, and evokes blissful youth along with the intense growing pains accompanied by it.

Since their first official album, "She Like Electric," Smoosh has grown considerably. Asya's voice has become stronger, though still bears the honey-gloss shimmer apparent on the last album. Her piano playing has also improved immensely, adding slick, playful harmonies atop her fuzzy, bass-y melodies. Chloe's drumming is also still impressive. This sister team works really well, and it shows easily.

All in all, "Free To Stay" is Smoosh's way of proving that age has little to do with quality output when pure talent is involved. Hopefully Smoosh decides to stay around, because they are certainly free to.

When you first start to listen to this album it's hard to imagine that these girls are still only 14 and 12 respectfully. They have the poise and grace of musicians 10 times their age.

"Free to Stay" the girls second major relase album is a fantastic array of pop/rock that will keep you listening for hours at a time. The lyrics as well as the melodies and music are superbly written and executed. The haunting sounds that Asya makes on her keyboard and the sophisticated beats and runs that Chloe plays on the drums are eeirely outstanding.

Every song on this album is a hit and deserves an equal amount of praise and admiration. If you are looking for something new to listen to, this is it. There is not a better album on any of the Billboard charts that is as superb as "Free to Stay"!

The girls of Smoosh are "Free to Stay" in the music scene for as long as they like to because there will always be people out theer that will listen to and love their music. So buy this CD, and if you haven't already, buy "She Like Electric" too. I promise you that you won't regret it. It's just that good!

Oh, and for the record, my favorite tracks are: Find a Way, Free To Stay, Waiting For Something, Clap On, and She's Not Right. I love Asya's vocals on these tracks and the melodies are excellent. If you are looking for the upbeat tracks, turn to Rock Song and Glider. And probably the suprise of the album is Slower Than Gold. A slow tempo ballad consisting of Asya's vocals and a sedated keyboard track in the background. It's hauntingly good. So go buy it and make your own favorites!!

Excellent. Fans of the first album won't be disappointed, but the girls have greatly improved since She Like Electric. This album shows a lot more maturity, and generally better songs too. Well worth the money. (And see them live too if you get the chance!!)

If you're looking for an artist for your kid to listen to in place of Hillary Duff and that lot, this is your answer. A sister duo that play amazingly, have awesome harmonies, and not only that, write and compose their own music.

However, this is great music to listen to, no matter what your age might be. While some of the lyrics could be about relationships, these are no teeny-bopper songs, but could easily be understood and enjoyed by anyone in any stage of life.

These are two girls that seem to whole-heartedly enjoy what they're doing, and that joy shines through on every track.

Wow, I had no idea upon hearing this at first. The singer sounds like Juliana Hatfield (hmmmm...what does that say about JH?) and the songs are actually good. I think it's being too harsh to level criticism at them - they're only kids! It will be interesting to hear what they sound like years from now if they decide to keep it going. For now, I am surprised - and impressed!

It didn't take a long time, maybe a week or two, before this cd arrived in my mailbox, living in Norway, think thats very good. Thanks.

I ordered this album after a renewed interest in the band on pulling out She Like Electric to listen to again, and I am glad to say that my hopes were fulfilled with this second album.

Like in the first album, there seems to be experimentation, but this one seems a bit fuller, deeper, and cleaner. Many of the songs seem to take the listener on a journey, often temporarily switching keys or keyboard instruments and entering side tunes. There seems to be a large amount of variety between the songs.

I still don't know whether or not part of the appeal of this album to me is the youth factor, but even if it is, I think it definitely goes beyond novelty and contributes to the enjoyability of the album (maybe through certain characteristics of the voices or emerging/new styles).

One minor complaint I have--albeit one I can get past quickly--is that the lyrics weren't included in the insert (as was the case with the first album). The artwork is pretty, though. ...The album's duration is also a little on the short side, at 37 minutes, but what's there is very worth listening to (and very replayable when the end is reached).

I hope this duo thrives and look forward to further albums. The two seem to hold great creativity and skill.