Lying upon the couch, the hours bleeding into the early morning, the TV screen spilled its blue coloring onto the floor, lighting the otherwise blackened room. With infomercials the only other alternative, I settled upon some Lifetime movie, its plot unbearably hackneyed and its dialogue brutally corny.
However, about half-way through the movie a part of its soundtrack caught my attention, with a women’s voice quite distinct from the usual pop singers plaguing the airwaves, the beat not the usual computerized noise record labels seem to be so fond of.
After looking up the lyrics, I discovered that the jazzy, upbeat song that had interested me so was in fact “Colors” by April Smith and the Great Picture Show. Pleased so much by this tune, I downloaded the entire album, “Songs for a Sinking Ship.”
The album begins with “Movie Loves a Screen,” starting off with an energetic beat, with lyrics you can’t help but to fall in love with. The song then follows with one of a darker theme, titled “Terrible Things.” It’s soft, but almost haunting, giving off a bit of a burlesque feel. The album ends with “Stop Wondering,” where April Smith is able to twist bitterness and pride with her clever lyrics, saying, “If you ever wonder if I’m dreaming of you, you can stop because I’ve got better things to do.”
“Songs for a Sinking Ship” is an infectious album, entrapping you within its first minutes. It is a pop record differing far from the rest, showcasing influences of jazz, boasting vocals of such complexities. April Smith and the Great Picture Show has proven its talent in their debut record, and I can only wait anxiously to see what else they shall someday deliver.
Thank you for discovering April Smith! I heard her on Prairie Home Companion singing “Colors” and did what you did – went out and bought the CD. Her voice, style, and sound is so different from the current pop scene it cuts through the clutter. In a way it evokes the styles of the 1940s, when singers really could sing, and bands could play with rhythm and feel. But in her and her bands’ hands, it creates a whole new sound. I’ve listened to this over and over and over, and never tire of it. By the way, I have not been a teen for a long time, and I still love it.