2011 just got here and I’m already picking out my favorite new tracks of the New Year. Smith Westerns released a second track from their upcoming album Dye it Blonde: “All Die Young.” Simply put, Smith Westerns are bunch of kids from Chicago who are from another decade. Critics usually point out their age because, well, they are all either 19 or 20 and sound like know one of the Gallagher brothers personally. Since their first self-titled album in 2009, the band has toured the U.S. and Europe.
I had the opportunity to see Cullen Omori (vocals), Max Kakacek (guitar) and Cameron Omori (bass) live last winter. I am 20 years old. There is something so liberating about seeing peers play music that is so obviously both a reflection of the past and a projection of the future. You can call it lo-fi, glam rock, garage punk – but there’s no arguing it’s branding the sound of our generation. The good thing about Smith Westerns is that their music transcends age. The other good thing is that their album comes out Jan. 18.
Here’s the video for “Weekend,” the first track released from Dye it Blonde:
About the writer Kelly Gehringer:
Kelly is heading into her junior year at Mizzou studying convergence journalism and minoring in leadership and public service. She enjoys her weekly radio show at school, focusing on indie bands and alternative music. Kelly also writes for ThirdCoast Digest about Milwaukee’s art scene.
