Lindsay Smith: Press

"OK I knew I'd like this when I saw the CD Cover and title…and I was right. This is a really cool recording. Lindsay Smith is somewhere between pop/folk and punk. The songs are smart, funny and good to bounce along to. I bet she's a blast live as well. This is a great recording...."

"[T]racks like "One Fish, Two Fish", "Apples Red", and "I Don't Like Drinking"... have a light, free feeling, almost like a high-school dance soundtrack. Yet underneath all of the melodic rays of sunshine lie a sardonic wit, a powerful folk rock voice, and some snappy tunes. While from a passing listen you may hear snippets of soothing sounds, ...there's worlds more going on behind the scenes of this pseudo-folk rock-meets-'80s pop album that requires a keen ear and a sharp sense of humor to appreciate."

"Witty, caustic, engaging singer/songwriter (and self-proclaimed 'word geek'), Smith celebrates the release of Were You Prom Queen?, her second album. Moving with deft precision between jangling folk and effervescent rock, the album was mixed by What The...?'s Lee Flier and produced by... guitarist Kenny Howes."

"Members of Charm School, What The...? and Karma Lingo help out local lass Lindsay Smith on her new album Were You Prom Queen?, which treads the line between lighthearted, peppy pop ditties and sappy love songs. Atlanta expatriate Kenny Howes produced and plays on the disc.... In a thoughtful move on Smith's part, if you decide you don't like the album, she's made sure the CD tray can double as a nice travel mirror."

"Smith is a quirky, smart, and sentimental soul with a humorously blunt way of putting things, and I'm glad to see she's even more of the same on her latest, Were You Prom Queen? ...[B]reakout moments include the Courtney Love-style drunken rant called 'I Don't Like Drinking,' as well as the playful 'Mr. McGoo.' ...I hear a strong progression between Smith's previous CD and this one. She is definitely growing as an artist."

"Lindsay Smith is an amazing singer/songwriter with a sound that blows me away. Her songs are so pure and full of truth and passion. Something that has become so difficult to find as of late. Lindsay also has one of the sweetest sound voices that I've heard in a long time. It just molds with the music. The music is a great blend of acoustic/folk and variations of pop/rock. The lyrics are so well written that it left me with a feeling of drunken stupidity. Some are so thought provoking that I can't help but wonder why I didn't think of that. That's when I know that the lyrics are hitting home. That's also when I know that the music is dead on. This is no doubt a remarkable CD, and from a remarkable artist. It will probably be a while before we get to enjoy intelligent songwriting of this stature. At least until Lindsay does another album, anyway."

"Calling it 'folk,' as other writers have, doesn't even begin to describe it.... [Smith's] lyrics are quick-witted and soul-touching. She makes feelings sound so real, I could touch them.... Most of these songs rock, and she has a voice that fits with every mood."

"There's an example of traditional singer-songwriter stuff here. Mountain music there. Even a hard rocker surfaces once or twice. Suddenly you find yourself caught up in the unusual ideas and images in her lyrics.... It's a stunner of a debut."

Lindsay Smith is an amazing song-writing talent. I could rant about how this disc has been out for three years without attracting any attention. But I understand enough about the music biz to know that it makes more sense to celebrate the fact that it has crossed my path at all. And to encourage you to look it up. Lindsay Smith writes heartfelt poetry in the guise of catchy folk songs.

Her lyrics express an intense honesty, whether she is exploring her relationship with her mother ("My Mother is a Christian"), abuse ("Purple"), or the intricacies of friendship and love. On "Heaven", she sings "She thinks heaven is for the strong.../ I'm too small and weak and dreamy...", but she clearly demonstrates that, at least as far as dealing with the emotions in her life, she is as strong as they come.

These songs are also extremely tender; all of them search for love and understanding, between lovers, friends, family and strangers. Songs like "Answer Me Back" and "Friend" call out for communication between us. This tenderness is perhaps most evident on "We're All Marys Here", a song which can bring tears to your eyes long before you understand what you are crying about. But it pervades every note and line of this CD. I called these folk songs, but Smith works competently in a variety of styles, from bluegrass to rock, blues to pop. The emphasis is on her voice and acoustic guitar, but she is backed up nicely by Mac Ritchey (guitar and keyboards) and Andrew Dow (bass) on many of the tracks.

Subtle flourishes, like the mandolin picking on "Molly Brown" and the Richard Thompsonesque guitar line in "Answer Me Back", sweeten many of the tunes. Do yourself a favor, and search out this CD. You will not be sorry.

"Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Lindsay Smith may refer to her music as 'alternacheesefolk,' but that label doesn't necessarily do justice to the true artistic merit of her work. Far exceeding mere novelty status, Smith's witty lyrics tackle serious human emotions and her clear voice is anything but cheesy. Add to that a pop-tinged folk sound full fo clever hooks, and you've got the recipe for music that's sure to suck you in."

"Atlanta songstress Lindsay Smith calls her music 'alternacheesefolk,' but it's actually quick-witted, well-written pop alternately stripped down and built up, with a somewhat folkish execution. Her last album, 1999's Tales From the Fruitbat Vat, is packed with hooky gems and clever lyrics, delivered in Smith's clear, evocative voice. It's good stuff; come on, 'My Mother is a Christian' is worth the trip alone."

"Smith dresses up her pretty poetry in folk rock, heavy emphasis on folk. Sometimes the music flirts with a bit of funkiness and a measure of rock, but Lindsay's heart is closer to Joan Baez than even she may realize. Smith's music is carefully crafted, heartfelt and without ego."

"When describing Lindsay Smith as Folk/Rock, I mean that in the broadest sense of the word. Her eclectic style spans the entire genre from indie rock to the country-influenced, 'Molly Brown.' Lindsay has a very pretty voice and her strong backing band complements her music very well. They add rich, melodic harmonies to her lovely melodies."

OK, so it's not really on Someone Eating Fruit Records. I made it up because there's no mention of any label name on here, and that's what the cover shows. Anyway... I was pretty shocked by how much this album rocks, in comparison with the little acoustic show Lindsay and her friend performed for me and two other people at DragonCon. I think that was her. Not that it didn't rock either, it's just that she's got a big band with lots of distortion and drums, etc. She's got a good voice, too. The opening song, "My Mother is a Christian," seems to strike people immediately as being either funny or cool. To me it was both. This is a strong songwriter with dramaticalistical instincts. A very fine recording, which should be all over the radio instead of that... let me think... what's the name of that band with Bob Dylan's son? I hate that band. Anyway, she's way better. Put her on there. Especially "Molly Brown." More funny and cool crap.

"At last, a truly fresh voice on the singer/songwriter scene! Lindsay Smith definitely breaks the Jewel/Sarah McLachlan mold which seems to have so heavily influenced so many and left much of singer/songwriter-dom in a rut. Her debut CD, Tales from the Fruitbat Vat, is musically imaginative and lyrically incisive. A compelling listen and a truly interesting record (check out the timpani!), the CD showcases Lindsay's powerfully expressive voice - a REAL singer's voice - with great songs. Lindsay has a real talent for writing about uncommon relationships from unusual perspectives. Her music is empathetic and insightful as it deals with the rough edges that are part of any loving relationship, from the romantic to the filial. Great things to come for Lindsay Smith!"

"...[T]hough getting into heaven may have a longer lasting benefit, I hope [Smith] earns some earthly rewards with this effort - the production is first rate, the musicanship is solid and interesting, her voice is so rich and appealing, and her songwriting is compelling. Go, girl!"