Okay so here's the thing... there is really no way to sum up "Lose Our Heads" by Smilecase. According to Ben Andress, the brain behind Smilecase, the record is the first full-length, born in the DIY scene of yesteryear. Most DIY bands from that scene are rough around the edges, and that was the style of that era. To call Smilecase "rough around the edges" I feel would be incorrect. There are issues with this record that transcend the DIY scene. Tonality, pronunciation, lyric... they're just not quite there yet.

Listening through this record I was trying to figure out what to say, how to approach this review. We're not in the business of bashing on bands we don't enjoy, and constructive rather than criticism is how we try to roll, but I'm just unsure of where to start with Smilecase to really put that constructive mantra to use.

It has that awkward style to it, the aloof "can't really sing, so I'll play it up that I can't and mumble a lot" thing that a lot of bands do to try to cover the fact that perhaps their vocalist isn't the strongest, but it's not done in an adorably charming kind of way like Manchester Orchestra but rather comes off as awkward to listen to.

The lyrics aren't strong, they're either simple and "wtf"-ish, trying a bit too hard to be "edgy" and controversial, or really forced seeming. There are moments with great lyrics and awesome thought-provoking words, but they are countered with poor delivery and a major majority of bland lyrics.

When you think of the DIY scene, images of the underground punk movement of the mid seventies and early eighties arise. Images of The Adicts, or The Meat Puppets, or even the new DIY scene with bands like Vile Vile Creatures or The Afternoon Gentlemen. But the polished and pressed album from Smilecase isn't exactly what I would call DIY, more like a band trying very hard to poorly imitate the sounds of the DIY movement.

I am sure that there are Smilecase fans out there who love it, but for me, it sadly falls rather short of the expectations line.