The Smooths

No Brakes (Side One Dummy)
by Rich Romaine

I guess it was inevitable that a ska band would incorporate a strong, pop vocalist. While these freshly-scrubbed college boys don’t have tattoos on every bit of exposed flesh, Tommy Gilhuley’s got a voice that’d be as comfortable belting it out in a barroom cover band as fronting the next Big Pop Sensation®. But The Smooths play ska, undeniably, and No Brakes is mixed by Mighty Mighty Bosstone Joe Gittleman, who knows just a little something about creating accessible ska/pop. The Smooths have heavy (but not hardcore crunchy) guitar, loads of horns, subtle keyboards, and plenty of singable choruses. The paces vary from peppy dance numbers to mid-tempo party tunes to the occasional reggae-influenced chill-out. And while I often think the vocals miss notes or reach outside the melody of the song, I can’t help but think fondly of the powerful vocal lines of Fishbone, thus allowing The Smooths a little room to grow into themselves. This being their second album, No Brakes showcases a talented band on their way to great things.
(PO Box 2350 Los Angeles, CA 90078)