Album review: SMASH FASHION – Rompus Pompous

Electric Pudding Recordings [Release date 13.07.18]

It has been a long wait since Smash Fashion gave us the power pop-tastic treat that was their debut album ‘Big Cat Love’. Now they are back with their new album, the gloriously titled ‘Rompus Pompous’ – that title alone is worth one review point!

Roger Deering and his companions in all things pop rock, have produced another aural delight, from the opener and Cheap Trick approved ’Can’t Take You Anywhere’ through to the closing ‘Smiles And Daggers’ there is really a duff song in sight. Indeed, on the aforementioned ‘Smiles And Daggers’ they have enlisted pianist Mike Garson, famous for his work with David Bowie, to help them on their one of their longest and most ambitious tunes to date. The piano weaves in through the guitar and percussion and the whole song is one big, glorious production and another feather in Smash Fashion’s musical cap.

The lead song ‘Runs In The Family’ is a typical Smash Fashion song, instant chorus, a guitar riff that won’t leave your head and Roger Deering’s rough edged melodic vocals. Then there is a nifty guitar solo from Lloyd Stuart Casson, who also produced the album. They even offer us advice on the T.Rex flavoured stomper ‘Proper Way To Eat A Muffin’, although this being Smash Fashion this involves a lady…

Smash Fashion put the fun back into music, put a smile on your face and leave memorable melodies in your mind. I said it back in 2014 when reviewing their debut album and same applies now, this band deserve to be huge! ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)