Serendipity is a wonderful thing. I found out about Whimsical from Krissy Vanderwoude, who performed backing vocals on Black Swan Lane’s latest album. One thing lead to another and I requested her latest work. When she sent me Whimsical’s new album, Bright Smiles, Broken Hearts, I was delighted to find out that it was shoegaze, one of my favorite genres.
Bright
Smiles, Broken Hearts, was released November 5, 2019. Whimsical is a Northwest
Indiana shoegaze band; made up of Krissy Vanderwoude, on vocals and
Neil Burkdoll, on guitar and production. Mark Milliron, provides additional
guitars on “Trust and Fragile”, and Paul Baker, (Static Daydream), plays additional
guitars on “This is Goodbye”.
The album was recorded and mixed by Neil Burkdoll at Spectral Sound. The album
was mastered by Andrew Rose at Pristine Audio. Bright Smiles,
Broken Hearts’ layout
and design was created by Andy Jossi.
“The Exception”, opens with that wonderful, dreamy shoegaze, soft guitar surround sound; with echo effects before drums and orchestration power through the soundscape. Then, Krissy Vanderwoude sings, “I’ve given so many chances to the wrong ones. Who never deserved it. I’ve wasted so much time, in the wrong place. Losing my mind. Don’t need to learn a new lesson”. This is a new love that will be different, the exception. The guitar work is so edge of your seat anticipated. A powerful and dreamy opener.
“I Always Dream of You”, is one of the best songs on the album. It opens with that wavy guitar and surrounding dreamscape. The Chameleons-like guitar work is welcomed. A wonderful summer daydream song that makes you want to close your eyes and dream of your favorite place, people, or things. They create a beautiful wave or breeze of guitar around the 3:30 time frame that takes you back to windows open and high 70s or mid – 80s weather on a soft summer day.
“Fragile”, is another wonderful shoegaze song full of brilliant lyrics and bright guitar work.
“Earth Angel”, is another one of the best songs on the album. After a cool launching guitar riff, Krissy sings, “Earth Angel, shine your light on me, so I can see in the dark”, with soft guitar accompanying. Then, thunderous guitars, drums and bass power home the message. A Rush – like drive of sound that feels like warm waves from the ocean, pouring through. The echoing and strong guitar work that forms the base for this rocker is well designed and played.
The guitar work and dreamy sound effects at the beginning of “This is Goodbye” took me back to some Chameleons favorites. Then Krissy sings and you know this is definitely something new and wonderful. A fantastic shoegaze and melancholic song.
“Trust”, opens like a cool Chameleons rocker, before Krissy sings, “Try to move mountains for me. If that’s what you had to do, to show I could count on you. But you don’t have to, because I already trust you”. Yes, a life affirming faith in another human being. We all need that now, don’t we?
“Last Dance”, opens fast with rushing guitar, bass and drums. Krissy sings, “You think you have her. Right where you want her. Silly little boy. She is not your toy. You had your chance. But that was your last dance”.
“Remember Me”, has a crashing heavy and cool guitar opening. Krissy sings, “Don’t regret me. Someday when I’m gone. And you’ve moved on. Please remember me”. Wonderful, guitar rhythms and innovations surround her. The drumming is sound and keeps a good beat. Krissy sings, “I hope you’ll think of the girl with the sunshine smile”.
“Solace” opens with those wonderful surrounding Chameleons-like guitars. Unfolding like a panorama of sound that just lights your ear drums. Krissy is almost whispering, and it sounds so good together. She sings, “I close my eyes. Dreams take me to places. Sing me to sleep”. Yes, this closer is everything you wanted. The best song on the album. The keeper that should be the song the band uses to attract more fans.
Whimsical’s new album, Bright Smiles, Broken Hearts, was a brilliant addition to the albums I have had the pleasure to review this bright year full of fantastic albums. Bright Smiles, Broken Hearts, is one of my favorite albums of the year and a great find. Thanks Krissy for sending this album. I might have missed it. I enjoyed it in the winter, but this is a summer/spring spirited album that will sound even better then. This is a wonderful album that should not be missed. If you are a fan of shoegaze, please add this album to your collection.
Track List
- The Exception
- I Always Dream of You
- Fragile
- Earth Angel
- This is Goodbye
- Trust
- Last Dance
- Remember Me
- Solace
https://whimsical1.bandcamp.com/album/bright-smiles-broken-hearts
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/whimsical