Posted on September 15, 2009 - by Mark Zonda

Smitten by the split!

Following the brilliant green of twee-pop music path, The Smittens are slowly becoming one of the most lovable influential twee bands of America, walking unafraid, smile and shiny badges, on the same path of Tullycraft and Tiger Trap. Not only on Vermont and US in general, but the band became quite popular in Italy as well thanks to “Let it Bee”, the legendary “MyHoney Records“ compilation centered on honey and bees. Smittens made a piece of sweet history with the track “C’mon! (When the Grass Grows Tall and Green)”. It was only the first step over Europe. Out of the continent the band became quite en vogue thanks to an unforgettable etidion of Indietracks. It was there that the band had the chance to get in touch with the Glaswegians “The Just Joans“, getting so along togheter that they first started to play together ending to start the habit to swap each others songs as covers during their shows.

Just like for Ben Folds, Ben Kweller and Ben Lee before them, a strange force moved the bands in the same direction. Having the prestigious “WeePOP Records” working on a split with the two bands was the next inevitable step!

So here we are, “The Smittens & The Just Joans Split” has become reality.

“What do we do now?”, ask The Smittens as they open the album… Each member of the band has his answer as the travelling band opens the A Side of the limited pink vinyl. The song it’s really direct and evocative, celebrating not a band but the idea of the indie band itself and its refusal to grow old and responsable.  The Smittens play The Just Joans making the song their own after having played it live in so many occasions. Swapping the side of the WeePop release and it’s time for The Just Joans to return the favour. Their “Gin and Platonic” becomes a country ballad painted  with smooth “pastels”.

What could have made this split more memorable for a tweeniac? An emproved re-recording of “I hear you’re the man now, John”, one of the first “The Just Joans” works with a still oversaturated bass but a suggestive stereophonic hug from a russianlike choir getting along what’s supposed to be a balalaika to me.

Will it take more than 10 years before these bands will find their rest? Will their paths cross again someday soon? Will this split become in time a valuable piece of history in some geeky shelf? Don’t live in regrets, get your copy now!

The Smittens – “Summer Sunshine”

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