The Smarthearts

The Smarthearts Not Forgotten 12″

These guys are from Philly. Outside of their sports fans, I love Philly (my brother used to say that the toughest guys in the world come from Philly). This is straightforward punk rock/power pop. They just come out of the gates and get to it. No nonsense. Melodic and mid-tempo, this really is catchy. I like the balance between the punk grittiness and the pop smoothness. All that, and they still manage to bring a sense of urgency to the table. Excellent.

• Reviewer Kenny Kaos
• Label Stupid Bag
• Issue MRR #514 • March 2026

The Smarthearts On the Line LP

If you like your power pop as crunchy, sugary and addictive as your favorite childhood cereal, On the Line will have you slurping the milk dregs from the bowl. Timeless riffs choogle along while guitar hooks interplay with effortless precision, as the vocals push ever-so-slightly into the red. The SMARTHEARTS fall somewhere between the retro revivalism of GENTLEMAN JESSE and the classic ’70s FM of early TOM PETTY. If this sounds up your street, you will probably not be disappointed. 

• Reviewer Allan McNaughton
• Label Wilsuns Recording Company
• Issue MRR #443 • April 2020