The opening number Books By Thoreau throws a bit of a curveball and results in a possible non starter, a track that would have been fine situated elsewhere in the lp as it has no indication of where the lp is heading. Instead we’re left with a mainly instrumental number that at its peak resembles an indie rock incarnation of Akron Family, a rather 70’s prog rock riff complete with leftfield chanting.
Musically the remainder of the album is a mixed bag, for the most part By Surprise share similarities to 90’s slacker indie rock bands such as Pavement, Silkworm and Sebadoh but with a modern punk rock twist. A fine example would be the Malkmus-esque Daggermouth are Playing at my House, a sloppily delivered chain of lazy observations upon a lethargic riff that under any other circumstance shouldn’t be classed as a melody but somehow is. That is, until a sudden burst of guitars and drums awaken the song from its doped up slumber and into a driving number filled with hooks and gang shouts, a definite favourite of the lp. Other times the album feels more in line with their other indie rock counter parts such as Everyone Everywhere and Piebald sharing both musical and more so lyrically with their juxtaposed lyrics and vocal delivery.
Mountain Smashers is a damn fine record that can be appreciated by many due to its variety and daring attempt to try and bridge the gap between punk rock and indie rock, something the band can be proud of.
Not sure? Have a listen below:-