Smoking Popes: Complete Control Sessions

Smoking Popes
Complete Control Sessions
SideOneDummy Records [2012]









 Fire Note Says: A solid performance from the Smoking Popes!

Album Review:
Complete Control Radio is a nationally syndicated all punk radio show hosted by SideOneDummy Records co-owner Joe Sib. The Smoking Popes session represents number four in the Complete Control Series and it is also one of the best yet.

The 5 track set list finds the band performing two brand new songs, two out of their catalog and then a cover of "I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Miserables - you heard that right - Les Miserables. The new songs are solid as both "Let's Call It Love" and "Hey Rene'e" both have that loungy punk signature sound from the Popes. "Writing A Letter" is great to hear as it is off their 1993 third EP titled 2 and showcases how their catchy style has not changed too much after all of these years. The real kicker of a cover here of course is "I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Miserables which starts off very quiet like the musical version until about the 1:30 mark which lets the soaring guitars and drums come in and push Josh Caterer's voice up a level to match their thundering support. The track actually turns out really well and certainly is a highlight here.

This series has already turned out some solid punk rock and the Smoking Popes shine in this forum as they mirror their studio sound and come off here with great confidence, a focused direction and a little risk. All of those factors make this release succeed and once again tell us that all the hype once surrounding the Smoking Popes was absolutely point on!

Key Tracks: "Let's Call It Love", "Writing A Letter", "I Dreamed A Dream"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Bouncing Souls
Scream
Anti-Flag

Smoking Popes: This Is Only A Test [Fire Note Review 4/26/11]
Smoking Popes: Stay Down [Fire Note Review 11/6/08]

Smoking Popes Website
Smoking Popes Facebook
SideOneDummy Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony