Stories and stars - Athens Banner-Herald Mar. 25, 2004
Red Hot Geek Love - Creative Loafing Feb. 12, 2004
Think Globally, Party Locally - The Free-Lance Star Apr. 3, 2003
Smith finds a 'Friend' in music - The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer Jun. 21, 2002
JM grad moves from folk to pop-rock - The Free-Lance Star May 23, 2002
"Smith is a quirky, smart,
and sentimental soul with a humorously blunt way of putting things, and I'm glad to see she's even more
of the same on her latest, Were You Prom Queen? ...[B]reakout moments include the Courtney
Love-style drunken rant called 'I Don't Like Drinking,' as well as the playful 'Mr. McGoo.' ...I hear a
strong progression between Smith's previous CD and this one. She is definitely growing as an artist."
-- Jennifer Layton, Indie-Music.com (Click here
for the full review)
"OK I knew I'd like this when
I saw the CD Cover and title…and I was right. This is a really cool recording. Lindsay Smith is
somewhere between pop/folk and punk. The songs are smart, funny and good to bounce along to.
I bet she's a blast live as well. This is a great recording...."
-- Amy Lotsberg, Collected Sounds (Click here for the full review)
"[T]racks like "One Fish, Two Fish", "Apples Red",
and "I Don't Like Drinking"... have a light, free feeling, almost like a high-school dance soundtrack.
Yet underneath all of the melodic rays of sunshine lie a sardonic wit, a powerful folk rock voice, and
some snappy tunes. While from a passing listen you may hear snippets of soothing sounds, ...there's worlds
more going on behind the scenes of this pseudo-folk rock-meets-'80s pop album that requires a keen
ear and a sharp sense of humor to appreciate."
-- Mike SOS, Skratch Magazine (Click here for the full review)
"Witty, caustic,
engaging singer/songwriter (and self-proclaimed 'word geek'), Smith celebrates the release of
Were You Prom Queen?, her second album. Moving with deft precision between jangling folk
and effervescent rock, the album was mixed by What The...?'s Lee Flier and produced by... guitarist
Kenny Howes."
-- Lee Valentine Smith, Creative Loafing, Atlanta, GA
"Members of Charm School,
What The...? and Karma Lingo help out local lass Lindsay Smith on her new album
Were You Prom Queen?, which treads the line between lighthearted, peppy pop ditties and sappy
love songs. Atlanta expatriate Kenny Howes produced and plays on the disc.... In a thoughtful move on
Smith's part, if you decide you don't like the album, she's made sure the CD tray can double as a nice
travel mirror."
-- Jeff Clark, Stomp & Stammer, Atlanta, GA
"Staying true to her
alterna-folk roots, Lindsay Smith’s versatile, intelligent songwriting is at times subtle, at others
downright hilarious, but always thoughtful and poignant. If you like the intimacy of Shawn Colvin, the
humor of Barenaked Ladies and/or the shear talent of the Indigo Girls, then 'Were You Prom Queen' is
the album for you."
-- Allen Rein, Circle Sky Records Newsletter, Tucker, GA
"Lindsay
Smith is an amazing singer/songwriter with a sound that blows me away. Her songs
are so pure and full of truth and passion. Some are so thought provoking that
I can't help but wonder why I didn't think of that. This is no doubt a remarkable
CD, and from a remarkable artist."
-- Michael Allison, THEGLOBALMUSE.COM (Click here
for the full review)
"Calling
it 'folk,' as other writers have, doesn't even begin to describe it.... [Smith's]
lyrics are quick-witted and soul-touching. She makes feelings sound so real,
I could touch them.... Most of these songs rock, and she has a voice that fits
with every mood."
-- Jennifer Layton, Indie-Music.com (Click here
for the full review)
"There's
an example of traditional singer-songwriter stuff here. Mountain music there.
Even a hard rocker surfaces once or twice. Suddenly you find yourself caught
up in the unusual ideas and images in her lyrics.... It's a stunner of a debut."
-- Brad Barnes, The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (Click here for the full article)
"Lindsay
Smith is an amazing song-writing talent.... Her lyrics express an intense honesty,
whether she is exploring her relationship with her mother ("My Mother is a Christian"),
abuse ("Purple"), or the intricacies of friendship and love.... Smith works
competently in a variety of styles, from bluegrass to rock, blues to pop."
-- G. Murray Thomas, The Independent Reviews Site (Click here
for the full review)
"Atlanta-based
singer-songwriter Lindsay Smith may refer to her music as 'alternacheesefolk,'
but that label doesn't necessarily do justice to the true artistic merit of
her work. Far exceeding mere novelty status, Smith's witty lyrics tackle serious
human emotions and her clear voice is anything but cheesy. Add to that a pop-tinged
folk sound full fo clever hooks, and you've got the recipe for music that's
sure to suck you in."
-- Dan Armonaitis, MetroBEAT, Greenville, SC
"Atlanta
songstress Lindsay Smith calls her music 'alternacheesefolk,' but it's actually
quick-witted, well-written pop alternately stripped down and built up, with
a somewhat folkish execution. Her last album, 1999's Tales From the Fruitbat
Vat, is packed with hooky gems and clever lyrics, delivered in Smith's clear,
evocative voice. It's good stuff; come on, 'My Mother is a Christian' is worth
the trip alone."
-- Scott Harrell, Weekly Planet, Tampa, FL
"Smith
dresses up her pretty poetry in folk rock, heavy emphasis on folk. Sometimes
the music flirts with a bit of funkiness and a measure of rock, but Lindsay's
heart is closer to Joan Baez than even she may realize. Smith's music is carefully
crafted, heartfelt and without ego."
-- Trammel, Creative Loafing, Atlanta, GA
"When
describing Lindsay Smith as Folk/Rock, I mean that in the broadest sense of
the word. Her eclectic style spans the entire genre from indie rock to the country-influenced,
'Molly Brown.' Lindsay has a very pretty voice and her strong backing band complements
her music very well. They add rich, melodic harmonies to her lovely melodies."
-- Mary Lemanski, GoGirlsMusic.com
"...[J]ust
when you thought there weren't any new ways to do 'boy meets girl,' Lindsay
Smith comes up with a fresh approach - [the song] 'Friend' is one of my personal
favorites...."
-- Jim Papandrea, Director of A & R, Ars Nova Productions
"This
is a strong songwriter with dramaticalistical instincts."
-- Isaac Airbourne, Ink19 (Click here for the full review)
"At
last, a truly fresh voice on the singer/songwriter scene! Lindsay Smith definitely
breaks the Jewel/Sarah McLachlan mold which seems to have so heavily influenced
so many and left much of singer/songwriter-dom in a rut. Her debut CD, Tales
from the Fruitbat Vat, is musically imaginative and lyrically incisive. A compelling
listen and a truly interesting record (check out the timpani!), the CD showcases
Lindsay's powerfully expressive voice - a REAL singer's voice - with great songs.
Lindsay has a real talent for writing about uncommon relationships from unusual
perspectives. Her music is empathetic and insightful as it deals with the rough
edges that are part of any loving relationship, from the romantic to the filial.
Great things to come for Lindsay Smith!"
-- Singer/songwriter Eric Garrison
"...[T]hough
getting into heaven may have a longer lasting benefit, I hope [Smith] earns
some earthly rewards with this effort - the production is first rate, the musicanship
is solid and interesting, her voice is so rich and appealing, and her songwriting
is compelling. Go, girl!"
-- Singer/songwriter Paul Epstein