The Smog: First Time Last Chance 7″

Description

Our take: We last heard from Japans the Smog when they released a single on Californias Going Underground Records last year, now theyre back with a new single on the excellent Japanese label Episode Sounds. As I said when I wrote about their last single, I love the Smogs sound. Theyre like a Japanese version of the Marked Men, with a similar knack for alternating between jittery and melancholic modes that never skimp on big, melodic hooks. This single is a testament to how important design, packaging, and presentation can be to a records impact, though. When I listened to the digital version of this EP, I remember thinking that it was cool but kind of short. When I got the physical version, though, the packaging blew me away. Its housed in a uniquely designed fold-out sleeve with beautiful two-color printing and liberal use of hand stamping on both the jacket and the center labels. Its such a beautiful thing to look over that it made me listen to the songs more closely, and that made me appreciate them a lot more. Theyre great songs, particularly the b-side. If youre one of us who geeks out about the packaging on old UK punk singles that seemed so thought out and creatively executed, this scratches that same itch.