Losing your original front man is generally something that most bands never truly bounce back from. Some try to carry on without, not unlike Secondsmile’s former label mates Meet Me In St. Louis who after losing vocalist Toby Hayes attempted to keep the flame alive as an instrumental band. Unfortunately things didn’t really pan out and eventually they had to call it a (very early) day.

Thankfully Secondsmile survived the departure of original singer Olly Goodland and went on to make one of the best breakthrough albums of 2006 in the shape of ‘Walk Into The Light And Reach For The Sky’, an honest and powerful LP filled with pure post-rock majesty and an utter discontent for the music of the mainstream that surrounded them.
2008 sees the band release second album ‘Years’, proof that when a formula is worked on precisely, you really can produce something special. Where ‘Walk Into The Light And Reach For The Sky’ left many windows for opportunity, ‘Years’ leaves nothing more than a lasting impression of glory.

Atmospheric opener ‘Smokestacks’ is an instant declaration of just how far this band have come in the past 2 years. An introspective and complex track that works it’s way from a slow paced almost tribal beat to a post-hardcore anthem with a perfectly controlled level of feedback. The use of instrumentation in such a way is reminiscent of a young Sonic Youth and is as settling as it is chaotic.
The undeniably brilliant ‘Years’ is another fine example of just how far Secondsmile have progressed, as atmospheric as it is haunting the catchy chorus and loveable hooks will keep you skipping back to it time and time again.

Vocalist Ross Smithwick’s voice has come a very long way since his first outing as front man and this is none more evident than on standout tracks ‘Tell Me A Story’ and the math-pop brilliance of ‘Soundtrack To Your Life’. Where his voice would once waiver and lack the conviction of the departed Goodland he has now fully come into his own with harmonies and a vocal range that others can only aspire to.

Years is one of the best British alternative albums you will hear this year. In it’s genre defying class it offers something for everybody from the most small minded of Indie fans to the most enlightened. Be sure not to miss them supporting the album on their extensive UK summer tour, if your too skint then at least be sure to remember to pick up a copy of this album come July 7th, it will be at the top of your pile for a good time.