The Smittens - Believe Me (Vinyl LP)

Aahh some nice fluffy indie pop to counteract the brittle intensity of the last album I’ve had to listen to. The Smittens are a delighfully happy bunch of indie poppers from Vermont, USA and from what I hear it’s quite easy to be happy in Vermont. They even include a bonus recipe for Vermont Apple Cider Doughnuts. Mmmmmm, doughnuts. I’m slightly confused by who the female vocalist is as only a guest vocalist is named on the sleeve. However, she seems to sing half the songs and then a couple of lads join in, one with a low Stephin Merritt croon, the other with a nerdy nasal delivery.

The music is resolutely upbeat and twee but hugely enjoyable. Sounding like a Belle & Sebastian brought up solely on Tullycraft instead of all that Bob Dylan and ‘60s soul stuff. Lots of twinkly guitars, chirpy organs and wistful vocals. Possibly too saccharine for some but aah, it’s nice to hear, all that and one of the vocalists, Colin has the best comb-over since Lawrence from Denim’s mid ‘90s effort.