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SPILL NEWS: THE MARS VOLTA ANNOUNCE RUN OF HEADLINE TOUR DATES WITH SUPPORT FROM TERI GENDER BENDER
SPILL NEW MUSIC: MELØ – “DON’T CHANGE”
SPILL NEWS: SPARKS ANNOUNCE BIGGEST NORTH AMERICAN HEADLINE TOUR IN THEIR MORE THAN 50-YEAR HISTORY | ‘THE GIRL CRYING IN HER LATTE’ ARRIVES MAY 26 VIA ISLAND RECORDS
SPILL NEWS: RENOWNED ALTERNATIVE SINGER/SONGWRITER LLOYD COLE SET TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM ‘ON PAIN’
SPILL NEWS: FINCH ANNOUNCE FIRST LIVE SHOWS IN 10 YEARS WITH 20th ANNIVERSARY RUN OF DEBUT ALBUM ‘WHAT IT IS TO BURN’
SPILL TRACK OF THE MONTH: ASTARI NITE – “BOWIE IN DAYDREAMS”
SPILL NEWS: RICKIE LEE JONES NEVER DID FOLLOW THE RULES | ‘PIECES OF TREASURE’ OUT APRIL 28 (BMG MODERN)
SPILL NEW MUSIC: INDIE POP SISTER TRIO JOSEPH RETURN WITH ANTHEMIC NEW ALBUM ‘THE SUN’ SET FOR RELEASE APRIL 28 ON ATO RECORDS
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: H.C. McENTIRE – EVERY ACRE
SPILL NEW MUSIC: BODYWASH ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM ‘I HELD THE SHAPE WHILE I COULD’ + SHARES NEW SINGLE
SPILL NEW MUSIC: THE BOO RADLEYS RELEASE NEW SINGLE AHEAD OF NEW ALBUM
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JERRY LEGER – LIVE FROM PARADISE
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BOB DYLAN – FRAGMENTS – TIME OUT OF MIND SESSIONS (1996-1997) THE BOOTLEG SERIES VOL. 17
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: MARIANNE FAITHFULL – KISSIN’ TIME (REISSUE)
SPILL NEWS: YOUNG THE GIANT ANNOUNCES NORTH AMERICAN TOUR WITH MILKY CHANCE STARTING MAY 30
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SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DARK SMITH – DEGRESSIVE

Dark Smith

Dark Smith
Degressive
Youth Riot Records

Dark Smith is a Seattle band that infuses grunge with a goth twist, taking the angst of Goth/New Wave without its pretensions. Fans of ‘90s alternative and ‘80s new wave/post punk will be delighted to hear a band that continues on a long tradition of Sad Boi music. Degressive is an optimist’s anathema.

From the languid guitars of “Waiting” or the Nirvana-like lyrics of “Ghost Me” for a millennial audience, Dark Smith create a post-apocalyptic soundtrack for misfits. The band’s strengths are the haunting vocals and atmospheric music but on occasion they dip into punk territory with mixed results.

“Seattle is Burning” is a perfect example of it working. It’s an anthem for the apathetic. While “Sadfluid” tackles issues of sexuality and patriarchy, it sounds a little too close musically to Nirvana.

Dark Smith has overt queer themes in its music. “You play with guns/ I play with Barbies” shouts lead vocalist Danny Denial on “Sad Fluid”. Their video for “It Gets Worse” from their previous effort Prehysteria has a transwoman tied to a post in the role of Mary Magdalene taking over Jesus’ role on the cross. The scene is evocative. It hints at the violence often directed at trans people and simultaneously points out religious hypocrisy.

Their music seems to be coming from an outsider perspective.

While the band calls itself “dreampunk”, I’m not sure that description is apt. Dark Smith sound more like the rightful heirs of the grunge scene than anything. Their angsty cry against cisgender control works as an evolution of grunge. Kurt Cobain would be proud.



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SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DARK SMITH – DEGRESSIVE

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About the Author
Brian Capitao
Brian Capitao is a freelance writer and editor of https://deepfreezechillin.com. He has a passion for hip hop and hosts a podcast in Toronto called The Freeze, your weekly dose of hip hop chatter.
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