Call it a comeback
The Smoking Popes return from a long hiatus.
Smoking Popes
Stay Down
Released on Jun 07, 2008
It can be difficult for a band to come back from a break up. Even harder than that is for a post-break up album to be any good. Weezer's Red Album is a shining example of why a break up might be a good idea. In 1999, the Smoking Popes split up when front man Josh Caterer wanted to integrate his newfound Christian faith into the band's work and found that the end result just didn't fit. So he left the band, effectively breaking them up, and formed Duvall. Jump forward to 2005 and the Popes reunited for a show in Chicago at The Metro. It was this show that put the spark back into the band and they decided to reform and produce a new album.
Fans have been waiting for a new Smoking Popes album since the release of Destination Failure, and they have no reason to be disappointed by Stay Down. There have been some changes in Josh's writing, but that is to be expected when there is a seven year break between periods of writing. Where the songs on Born to Quit and Destination Failure were almost exclusively love songs, Stay Down ventures into uncharted territory. Yes, there are still a few love songs, but there is also some darker material and a couple songs about Josh's family.
The album kicks off with "Welcome to Janesville", an up-tempo number that is distinctly Smoking Popes but is lyrically different enough to convey the transition from old material into new. Early on, Stay Down goes back to what the Popes are known for. "Sweet Pea" can be interpreted one of two ways; it is either about Josh's wife or his daughter. Immediately following "Sweet Pea" is a song about his daughter "Little Jane-Marie". This track is possibly one of the cutest songs ever, with Josh crooning about Cheerios and sucking thumbs.
The most interesting change on Stay Down is "The Corner". For a band that is known for writing songs about falling in or out of love, a song about a murder is a jarring change of topic. The song is very good, but it is also pretty depressing. The structure is simple, but the mere change of subject matter is enough to be refreshing.
As reunions go, it's difficult to do much better than Stay Down. The album has everything from the tried and true love songs to slower tracks, even one about murder. If a seven year break up is what it takes for a band to re-energize, then it might be a good idea if more bands start following in the footsteps of the Smoking Popes.
High Point
"Stay Down" showcases Josh Caterer's signature singing style and even has a pretty epic guitar solo.
Low Point
The Popes have done something different with "The Corner", and while it is a quality song, the change is unexpected and the song is downright depressing.
Posted by Cory Roop on Jun 24, 2008 @ 6:17 am
