[4.5/5]
Boris seem actively at war with any limiting definition of genre, releasing albums that jump between stoner/doom metal, experimental feedback drone, shoegazing psyche and poppy rock. Where their damn-near-perfect 2006 disc Pink encapsulated a bit of everything the band had done up to that point, Smile follows somewhat of a one-or-the-other approach: Melt-the-fucking-walls rockers or experimental pop-rock. Electric guitar dirges explode into feedback squall and instrumental chaos only to emerge as dreamy electro/indie pop, often within the same song. The restrained, quirky "My Neighbor Satan" is slashed in the middle by snarling guitars only to return to the previous, precious tinkle. Smile ends with the epic " " (a song without a name). To call this "sunstroked desert hallucination mood music" sells it short. It actually transforms the atmosphere of the space in which it's played. (SOUTHERN LORD) Rex Reason
 Official Website: http://www.southernlord.com
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