x

Smug Brothers / Press

“Echo Complex packs rough and tumble musical fragments and jangling power-pop into a 15-minute span of immediate sonic gratification”

““'90s and '00s era indie rock and power pop is deeply embedded in the DNA of Dayton, Ohio's Smug Brothers and for good reason...the effort delivers a shining beacon that proves Dayton artistry is still a formidable force to be reckoned with on the indie rock landscape in 2015.””

““Smug Brothers newest album is one of their strongest efforts to date. A tight, urgent, and catchy blend of indie rock from rock Mecca Dayton, Ohio.””

“On the Way to the Punchline presents listeners to ability to take a glimpse into the gratifying times of 90s indie rock. And with the album’s songs being tight and short, it keeps the clarity and focus that the band strives for.”

“As prolific as the band is, “Punchline” feels concise and considered with 12 songs clocking in just over 34 minutes, which befits Melton’s generally restrained style. Just as it should be.”

“With their stellar new album, On The Way To The Punchline, Dayton’s Smug Brothers prove once again that they belong in the Gem City’s hallowed halls of lo-fi indie rock.”

"The overall tone of On the Way to the Punchline is a bit more melancholy and weary/wary of the world than their past releases....Smug Brothers delivered the rock and then some."

“On the excellent EP Treasure Virgins, which came out later last year, the band seems to be developing more of its own voice...The bottom line is that Smug Brothers make tight, unfussy songs that..will have you humming along for days afterwards.”

"If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then when Smug Brothers become unstuck in time and land with a wet plop back in either Wedding Present-era early 90′s, buzzy post-punk early 80′s, or the radio-friendly-early 70′s, they’ll be doing a lot of forelock-tugging...Revival Trips plods wearily through a treacly swamp of apathy, forming small bubbles which, when popped, release small, sweet sighs heavenwards...Their 18-track album clocks in under 30 minutes in length, which is entirely endearing. Bristling, buzzy, throwaway pop nuggets. Welcome home indeed."

“The Smug Brothers' antecedents could have just as logically been Spoon or Centro-matic...or how about no one in particular at all? This is a band that's gradually charting their own inspired course, and like any soldier that marches to beat of their own drummer, they beg to be experienced firsthand.”

“The 18 songs on "Fortune Rumors" float around from different eras and influences to give the whole album a lot of variety, but maintain its simplicity well enough. Some songs are decidedly Beatles-esque while others sound like Superchunk. If you dig anything the Tinhorn Planet has been releasing lately then you should check this out.”

“Tracks like the jangly, static-laced “A New Wrinkle” strip down pop to its barest components, leaving the sort of timeless, razor-edged hooks that made [Guided By Voices'] Alien Lanes a stone-cold classic. If you’re in need of a swift, 90’s-flavored punch to the face, look no further than Fortune Rumors”

“If you've been longing for a band to come a long to deliver big hooks, sing-song choruses all in short bursts of lo-fi goodness much like mid-era GBV, then look no further than Smug Brothers. It should come as no surprise then that i am definitely proclaiming Fortune Rumors one of the Best of 2011.”

“This is just the kind of band that exemplifies Dayton’s pop sound – they deliver catchy, mid-fi rockers that salute both 60s British Invasion bands and well as 90s Merge Records artists...the song writing here is strong, and the bands passion for solid hooks and love of indie rock are undeniable”

““juicy, mid-fi mix of dense power-pop and indie rock. Think a less elfin, more propulsive Tobin Sprout fronting a late ’90s Merge band and you’re close. … this is some catchy-ass stuff.””