This Is Me Smiling - This Is Me Smiling (Self Titled) Album Review

This Is Me Smiling
This Is Me Smiling (Self Titled)
Album Review

This Chicago quartet originally released this, their self-titled debut album, in 2005 on local label The Vinyl Summer. They've shared stages with bands such as the All-American Rejects and are currently on a mammoth headlining tour of North America.

It is only 30 seconds from the end of the bluesy, acoustic-electro mix of album opener "Ephemera" that vocals come in, which is enough of a sign that TIMS don't do things by convention. "Feelin' The Time Pass By" has a quirky charm and the rocky "Prettier" is reminiscent of Weezer, but "Goodbye To Each New Day" really sees the band open up. Impressively changing pace and dynamics throughout, control is maintained by unpredictable piano playing that brings to mind the creativity of Muse - high praise indeed, but few really do play with such freedom and imagination.

Turning their hand to a Caribbean calypso flavour, "So Excited To Sleep" also blends in captivating indie-opera (you have to hear it to believe it) and there's also evidence of modern jazz on "Say What You're Gonna Say" and R'n'B rhythm on epic closer "Alive In The Chase". However, the band truly peak with "Mixin' Up Adjectives", a hard-rocking number with a punk attitude that again brings to mind the work of Matt Bellamy's all-conquering group - all capped off with a howling guitar solo. It epitomises the talent of This Is Me Smiling, who are quite clearly not bound by genre or expectation and are all the better for it. The result is a memorable record that sounds both like nothing and everything you've previously heard, but will want to listen to again.

Alex Lai