3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
truly wonderful..., February 22, 2005
This review is from: Hello It's Wonderful (Audio CD)
wonderful smith's debut cd is an absolute delight, and is a rare album that is easy to listen to from start to finish. it's a delicate mix that ranges from playful funk (gunner car) to rockin' pop (get it done) to pseudo-alt-country (my little house) to downright dark (make her cry), and everything in between. the range of their sound is a credit to the band's creativity and diverse influences.
i think the album can best be described as a true band effort. while many bands follow the guitar-driven, single vocal formula, wonderful smith is a LOT more, and something you don't hear everyday. every member of the band lends their talent to each song, and it shows. vocals are tight and delivered by both female and male leads...there is an abundance of really impressive basslines that don't just contribute to, but drive songs...drumlines are elegant and simple, but not boring...and instruments/sounds are diverse and plentiful (keys, various bass and strings, electric and acoustic guitar, etc).
it's hard to make a comparison, but their sound lands somewhere between the beatles, elvis costello, beautiful south, juliana hatfield, ben folds, and weezer. the album is indie rock, but has plenty pop that can easily make them a commercial hit. every part of this band delivers and the sound is tight and, well...wonderful.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Debut from an Albini engineered Record, February 17, 2005
This review is from: Hello It's Wonderful (Audio CD)
I heard that Steve Albini really enjoyed working with this band when they recorded with him at his studios in Chicago. And I found out that they may be young, but they've got some amazing experience and have been around for a decent time working on their chops.
The one thing that stands out with this record is that everything stands out because it's all unique! Wonderful Smith can't be pigeon-holed musically, that's for sure. From the fun songs like Gunner Car to the awesome Hard Alcohol with it's memorable first line, "Hard Alcohol tastes better when you feel it in the morning." While it may seem no big deal when you read it, it's the vocal delivery by Holly that makes it all worth listening too. Shared lead vocals between Holly and Nick, and a solid foundation of bass and drums by Ben and Marshall, makes "Hello, It's Wonderful" a great debut album by a Chicago band. Here's to more!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great new stuff, March 23, 2005
This review is from: Hello It's Wonderful (Audio CD)
My Little House is a dynamite song. The whole album is very solid. Both vocalists really bring it and the musicianship is top notch. It's got some real pretty moments, as well as some real boogie tunes. You would be doing yourself a real favor checking this band out.
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