Smile Empty Soul’s Chemicals

By SethM

As someone who has a special appreciation for trios, I was looking forward to listening to Smile Empty Soul’s new album Chemicals. To some that statement might seem crazy, but if you think about it, trios have to give us the same full sounds with fever instruments. Most bands are looking to have more: more solos, more rhythm tracks, more keyboard, more instruments ~ and in a rock trio, musicians need to learn to strip it all down but still deliver. Smile Empty Soul seems to be doing a good job at doing just that, delivering a solid rock sound.

Although Smile Empty Soul has been on the music scene for well over a decade, Chemicals was my first foray into their music and I have to say it was a very decent one.

“Black and Blue” started off the album but wasn’t one of my favorites; that’s not to say it was bad ~ it definitely wasn’t ~ but when the second track “False Alarm” and the title track “Chemicals” came on, I was much more impressed. All three songs had a different feel, but “Chemicals” really showed off the band’s more subtle vocal stylings as well as their musicianship.

“Swim” was a more melodic, faster paced, more commercial sounding song with in-your-face aggressive guitar work. Skipping ahead, “Real” was definitely reminiscent of a signature grunge sound; if you liked the Seattle scene then this will surely be your song off of Chemicals. “Sitting Ducks” slowed everything down and though not my favorite track, it was still rock solid.

Chemicals consists of the following 10 tracks

1. Black and Blue

2. False Alarm

3. Chemicals

4. Balance

5. Swim

6. New Low

7. Real

8. Sitting Ducks

9. Mechanical Rationality

10. Landslide

And although I wouldn’t put Smile Empty Soul in the same category of musicianship as some iconic rock trios, I would say that if you pick up Chemicals you’ll likely be glad you did. I look forward to catching these guys live; my guess is that this this album and all their music translates to a live audience very well.

Check out smileemptysoul.com for tour dates and to order Chemicals ~ and for the entire Smile Empty Soul catalog, head over to iTunes.