Isn't it great when you stick a CD on for the first time and you love it instantly? Take one listen of This Is The Show and you'll know Port Fairy's The Smallgoods have delivered an ever present part of your Summer.
The title track greets you with open arms, all shimmering guitars, plink plonk piano and groovy harmonies. Before it can outstay its welcome though the poptastic 'Round and Round' barges in with a beaming smile and synths weaving pretty patterns through catchy guitar hooks. It's more fun than The Monkees playing The Easybeats at ping pong.
Next thing you know you're into the meandering psychedelia of 'Who's Never Seen The Sun?' and then the blissed out 'Spending the Morning' invites you to go surfing and then get wasted (sounds good to me). There's still time for a little lovelorn reflection on the stripped down '8 Times' before the organ fires up again for razzle-dazzler 'This City's Lights', another pop gem that carries you out with gorgeous dreamy harmonies.
Finally there's a quick reprise of the title track to remind you (as if you needed telling) what a fine album you've just heard. Oh, and there's a hidden track at the end which seals it for me: this album has got it all.
Listen to this album when you're lying in the sun with a cool beer: life doesn't get much better.
By Andy McLean. Copyright held by author.
Article first published in The Brag, Sydney, 2004.
This is the Show is available through Half A Cow Records.
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