Hollie Smith has a new album coming soon
The following is an excerpt from a review I wrote of a Hollie Smith gig in 2007. Her debut album, Long Player was out. And I felt like sticking a pin in the balloon. I say that not to be a party-pooper, but because I didn't get the hot air and pointless celebrations.
"Surely the gimmick for Hollie Smith is that such a big voice shouldn't come from a diminutive frame; the funk and soul stolen from Aretha Franklin, via Erykah Badu, and served up with a slowly sizzling sauté is flavour of the month, thanks to time spent singing with Fat Freddy's Drop and TrinityRoots - and as part of the Fly My Pretties crew.
To watch Hollie Smith live is to feel like the only person in the room who doesn't get the joke; or, alternatively, to be the only one laughing when all around it seems so serious. The problem with Smith's songs - basically just grooves for her to hang her pregnant wailing over - is that they go nowhere. And they're never in a hurry.
The magic is over as the track finishes, but then we hear and see it all again. Slow-burning soul-jazz hook, a brittle-funk groove, churchy organ chords, gulps of gospel; then a breakdown for the audience to catch their breath and scream "Hollie we love you", then it builds to a swelling crescendo. Press play and repeat.
Smith seems nice enough, a little shy, and the band is sharp (possibly a little too slick, never stepping their collective foot down past cruise-control).
A decimation of Paul Simon's Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover was delivered as an over-caffeinated bossa-sway, instantly wandering away from the vibe of the original; the cool charm that made it a classic. It swiftly became a pointless link for Darren Mathiassen to deliver a soulless drum solo; expertly performed of course, but void of any passion - featuring the sort of licks best left in a jazz-school rehearsal room. Long-winded guitar jams and hackneyed soloing was reverentially applauded - Hollie's band very much putting the funk in perfunctory.
And yes, of course the woman is blessed with a voice, but given the choice I would prefer to not hear it; as with songs like Be Whole In Thee and Come For Me Here she appears to be lacking in vocal control. The voice wafts up to the rafters but it is the sound of a singer in vague search of a song."
And that has - mostly - been my opinion of Hollie Smith's work. I've seen her play a few times, I've listened to that first album more than I ever wanted to (sadly I was working in a store that sold copies of it when it was released).
I've asked Smith if she'd like to be interviewed about her new album. She hasn't committed to that.
I've heard the album - once. It arrived just the other day. It will be released in just over a week.
It's too early for me to say what I think of the album - but many of the criticisms I made in that live review could probably still be applied (for my thinking). I still hear a singer in search of a song. Not only that - she seems to think the way to lasso the song in is to blatantly, tortuously over-sing. But maybe I'll have more to say after a few listens. I can definitely say I preferred it to her firs
t album. But for now that is a little like saying I prefer having one arm broken, not two.
Now - here is the first single. The video is appalling don't you think? Awful. A botched concept - utterly ridiculous. And what is with fading the song down to tell the story of the video? Those should have been the best bits (after all the song was being faded down) but instead it just seemed really forced, really stupid; contrived. And there's a bunch of "celebrity cameos" too. I guess that's pretty cool.
But I want to know what you think? Maybe you think it is an awesome video - and a superb song? Maybe you like the story/concept of the video and the way the song fades in and out?
Clearly Smith sold a few albums the first time around - she has a few fans. Clearly there will be a few people out to support her as she releases the "difficult second album".
Especially given that she's broke, apparently.
So do you have high hopes for Hollie Smith's new album (Humour And The Misfortune Of Others) or are you not interested at all?
And would you like to read an interview here at Blog On The Tracks with Hollie Smith?
Humour And The Misfortune Of Others is released through EMI, March 15
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agree re the video, it looks like someone was making it for their directing showreel rather than for the song...
"Clearly Smith sold a few albums the first time around..." oh Simon, two seconds on Google, bro... shes sold double platinum (30,000), but you knew that... cheeky monkey, Honestly, I've read so many interviews with Ms Smith in the last month that one more is niot gonna add anything to my knowledge of her new album or her music. Interview someone whose music you like instead.
You've hit the nail on the head. The only times I've enjoyed her singing is with Trinity Roots & the Illfonics. I think she needs someone to write her songs for her... & quit with the wailing cat sounds
First!
She has got nice tatts.
Music review, or personal attack?
OK Simon, I agree with some of what you've said although I wouldn't be quite as vociferious about it. You almost sound insulted which is ridiculous. Check your ego. But what really grated was the addition of 'apparently' after 'especially given she's broke...'. What are you insinuating there? For mine, that was unnecessary and well out of order. Express an opinion over someone's musical output by all means, that's what you're paid for, but you've overstepped the line there. Unless you have anything to support what you are suggesting you should retract and apologise.
here we go again. going back to your old "reviews". regardless of what the album's like, you'll still have a dig. no "review" or interview from you thanks. x
I loved Bathe in the River. I got really excited about her after hearing that song. Then I bought her EP and Long Player and I didn't like either. The passion on Bathe in the River isn't anywhere on Long Player. And that new video and song is crap. She's nice to look at though.
I have zero interest in listening to Humour and the misfortune of others and I don't care to read an interview. Hollie Smith is a talented lady, but is well over rated.