Big Troubles / She Smiles For Pictures

Slumberland

Big Troubles’ songwriters Alex Craig and Ian Drennan are omnivorous musical consumers, as enamored of classic Brit Pop gems as they are of ’90s slacker indie rock and ’80s Paisley Underground pop. Their latest album Romantic Comedy was made with the help of the legendary Mitch Easter, whose résumé includes stone-cold classics from the likes of REM, Pavement and his own Let’s Active. A masterpiece of modern pop, Romantic Comedy perfectly balances grit and polish, gorgeous guitar sounds and angelic vocals, underpinned by a set of superb songs. “She Smiles for Pictures,” the album’s second single, follows the excellent “Sad Girls.” Featuring lead vocals from Drennan, the A-side is a gorgeous piece of power pop fueled by ringing guitars, an earworm of a guitar lead and the propulsive rhythm section of Luka Usmiani and Sam Franklin. Drennan’s vocal melody is a total winner, the upbeat cadences belying rather dark lyrics. 2:53 of pop perfection. “Polyommatus Blue” on the flip is another gem: a mid-tempo tune that recalls the lost mid-period Creation pop of groups like 18 Wheeler and pre-Screamadelica Primal Scream, it’s a fine slice of classic guitar jangle and exclusive to this single.  “... on song after song, Big Troubles sound like a perfect blend of ’80s jangle pop bounce, ’90s shoegaze haze and timeless pure pop catchiness served up with a huge helping of heartache and longing.” —All Music Guide  “... Big Troubles has done a perfect job of combining past and present guitar pop into one 30-minute stew. It’s nearly impossible not to like.” —Blurt  “The album doesn’t have a single dud on it.” —Audiomilk

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