The Smittens, with three primary vocalists, are a veritable twee pop variety show. Max Andrucki's baritone resembles that of
Stephin Merritt and contrasts dramatically with the whisper-soft vocals of Dana Kaplan and indie pop veteran Colin Clary. The group is at its best when singing about love and nature, but branches out occasionally; "It's a Saturday" humorously adapts
the Bay City Rollers' "Saturday Night" into a
Smittens theme song, while the oblique social commentary of "H&M (+A)" seems out of place on a collection of mostly hearts-and-flowers ditties.
The Coolest Thing About Love is the Smittens' third album and their most accomplished to date -- the ensemble vocal performances are tighter than ever and the songs easily rate among the group's best. ~ Greg Adams