Album: Beautiful Alien
Label: Independent (Self Released)
Release Date: 20th March 2012

1. Beautiful Alien
2. Square 1
3. Hangman
4. Good Times, Dark Ages
5. The World Is Ours
6. Kiss from a Rose
7. Don’t You Forget It
8. Cocaine Angel
9. Hole in My Head
10. 2012 Baby
11. Kids Got Moves

Miami rockers Atom Smash have just hit the road promoting their new album ‘Beautiful Alien’ which combines modern rock and country rock in one clever environment.

With the starting track ‘Beautiful Alien’ giving you a combination between Slide guitars, Synths, and the feel of the Wild West on your side all you’re missing is the tumbleweed and possibly the odd shoot out, but it really does take you out there! Another great track on the album is ‘Hangman’ with the rough rhythm chugs and drums carrying the vocals into a new light; everything is really good about this. Great music full of strange and wonderful delights like in the middle of ‘Hangman’ using the odd backing vocals before the solo kicks in and everything just gets better.

I had a little smile to myself upon first hearing ‘Kiss from a Rose’ as I remember growing up to the original version of this by ‘Seal’ and I liked it even back then. Now, I’m not usually a fan of people ripping off other artist’s music but they really have done this song some justice; Very well modified for a new great sound. Into something a little smoother now and we’re given ‘Cocaine Angel’ with the acoustic guitar driving the finger picked rhythms. The vocals are so very balanced to keep you flowing with the music all the way and as it picks up you have already become a part of the song so it just gets better. Onto a very odd song for this album but extremely well written ‘Hole in my Head’ has some excellent licks and riffs, add to that the lead guitar and the harmony line it plays over the top is brilliant. The vocals can be quite confusing at times but that’s not because you can’t hear them, instead because there is so many other things happening at the same time. The last song on the album leaves you with ‘Kids got moves’ using those much welcomed vocals we’ve grown to like, Kurt Cobain-esq acoustic riffs/phrases and obscure drum beats.

There is loads going on with this album and would make excellent easy listening at the end of a heavy shift, or in the car on a long drive.

An excellent way to unwind.

8/10

Reviewed by Dylan Raine

http://youtu.be/9eOVzaKc4Uw

BOBAFLEX, EDISUN, ATOM SMASH Tour
4/5 – Philipsburg, PA @ Club Squared
4/6 – Flint, MI @ Machine Shop
4/7 – La Crosse, WI @ The Varsity
4/10 – Kearney, NE @ The Garage
4/12 – Gillette, WY @ Jakes Tavern
4/13 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
4/14 – Spokane, WA @ A Club
4/16 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
4/17 – La Grande, OR @ Bud Jacksons Sportsmans Bar
4/18 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Liquid Joe’s
4/19 – Englewood, CO @ Moe’s
4/20 – Sioux Falls, SD @ Phoenix Lounge
4/21 – Aberdeen, SD @ Radio Convention

ATOM SMASH Dates
5/9 – Rock Hill, SC @ The Money
5/10 – Raleigh, NC @ Berkeley Café
5/11 – Baltimore, MD @ Recher Theater w/ Edisun
5/12 – Vienna, WV @ Yellowbeards (MS Society Fest w/ Skid Row, Trixter, Modern Superstar, more)