Seattle PI:
It makes sense to hear the refrain “Smile, smile, smile” in a Smile Brigade song. “You are dead to me/ You are dead to me,” on the other hand, comes as a bit of a surprise. The way this folksy foursome makes it work, however, is keeping the rhythms brisk and the melodies light so that everything just sort of smiles, even the listener. There’s also some demonstrated musicianship, especially on the band’s new five-song EP, which was recorded in 24 hours; it also features string filigrees that give the collection a slight touch of urban hipster hootenanny.