Craig Smith

Craig Smith’s debut record is immediately striking for its obvious affections for Crazy Horse stomp and grind, but closer inspection reveals a plethora of influences. "Rock Bottom Girl” is the best barnburner that Cracker never wrote, while Smith’s musings on age, love and his place in the world strongly recall Jeff Tweedy’s melancholy side. Sadness and paranoia may be the album’s primary thematic anchor but Not Sure Not Sure is a great summertime party album. Smith isn’t afraid to crank up the amps and his gift for melody makes this a triumphant barbeque’n’beers record. This is kick-ass party rock that won’t alienate the meatheads but will give the literati something to think about.