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Chicago’s Smith Westerns have no doubt been thrown under the worn-out labels of “beachy” and “reverb-heavy” — but past a surface listen, the band goes deeper than many of its lo-fi contemporaries. Reminiscent of T. Rex and Donovan, the music of Smith Westerns has a charming sexiness in its vocal melodies and a discernible slow swing to its rhythms. The band’s second album and catalyst for this tour, Dye It Blonde, was featured on NPR last month, speaking loudly to Smith Westerns’ accessibility.
The youngish band has also made an obvious impression on more established acts: The dudes opened for Belle and Sebastian last year, and Wilco has asked the group to join an early summer tour. Smith Westerns play tonight at the Larimer Lounge with Bare Bones and Unknown Mortal Orchestra. This show is 21-and-up, and tickets are $11-$13. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the bands start at 9.
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