When I heard that Smile Empty Soul was releasing a new album full of previously unreleased songs, I felt a surge of emotion that I haven’t felt over a new album release in quite a while. It was half euphoria and the other half anger – euphoria over the opportunity to hear new music from this amazing band, but anger over knowing they have been hiding these songs from fans for all these years! But after reviewing their latest release, Rarities, it’s okay. I forgive them. Better now than never.
Released on March 10 of this year, Rarities is a compilation album built out of previously unreleased tracks written over the course of the last 14 years or new versions of old favorites. “I’m happy to be releasing all these songs we’ve recorded over the years that never made our regular albums. It’s gonna be cool to see them get out there to our fans and maybe play a few of them at our live shows,” said vocalist Sean Danielsen. Fans are no doubt happy now too, Sean.
Since the band’s formation in 1998, Smile Empty Soul has stayed true to their brand of “no bullshit”, “real as it gets” hard rock to this day. That image shines through in full force on Rarities. The album is comprised 10 original Smile Empty Soul tracks and three covers that have been performed over the years – “Precious Things” by Tori Amos, “Aneurysm” by Nirvana, and “Possession” by Sarah McLachlan. They do all three songs beautiful justice with a distinct Smile Empty Soul touch, but it is their own original tracks that make the album a true treasure.
The opening track, “One at a Time” oozes the essence of classic Smile Empty Soul. It has a cool electric rhythm guitar blended with a beautiful bass line from Ryan Martin and soft but steady drums from Jake Kilmer. Throw in Danielsen’s classic alternative vocals and you have the recipe for a perfect Smile Empty Soul vibe.
One of the best tunes on the album for me was “Alone” which is an acoustic track where Danielsen’s voice just melts over your skin and pulls at your heartstrings with lyrics that are about a profound loss. Conversely, “Goodbye” picks up the pace a bit and encourages us to move on from tough times with lyrics like “Goodbye misery. Good luck catching me!” it’s the perfect follow-up track to the sorrowful “Alone.”
Another magical moment on Rarities is definitely “This is War” which is not an unknown song for Smile Empty Soul fans. It was on the band’s 2003 self-titled album, but the version on Rarities is different because it features the entire band rather than just the mostly acoustic version on the 2003 album. I think the addition of the drums throughout the entire song really adds to the impact. It’s a song about war – fighting for what you believe in – and the drums help emphasize that battle.
Another familiar title is “For You” which is also from the band’s 2003 self-titled album and is probably my all time favorite Smile Empty Soul song. The version on Rarities is a live acoustic jam and undeniably beautiful. However, I’m going to be honest – I like the original better. I prefer the rhythm guitar to the acoustic and I miss the heartbeat of the drums that pulses in the album version.
Rarities also includes a couple of tunes from movie soundtracks – “Who I Am” from Spider Man 2 and “Finding Myself” from The Punisher.
With it’s 8th album on the way, and a calendar full of tour dates with Trapt, Smile Empty Soul seems to be as strong as ever, and further cementing themselves as one of the hardest working rock bands in existence. Rarities is a truly superb showcase of the band’s enormous talent.
By Cathy Moore for Rock All Photography and Music
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