Review: Flanagan Smith – All The Cars My Friends Stole

Flanagan Smith – All The Cars My Friends Stole (Independent)Back in the old days, they used tocall artists like Flanagan Smith all-round entertainers. Unfortunately that’s alabel that came with some cheesy connotations, though all it really meant wasan abundance of talent. Smith is a singer-songwriter, actor and writer, whichisn’t at all cheesy. In fact, I’d go as far as saying it’s pretty cool.
In 2005 Smith moved to New York toconcentrate on his music, and “All The Cars My Friends Stole” was his debut EPrelease. It’s been around in one form or another since the spring of 2010, butit’s been re-released this summer. Smith’s songwriting stylistically tips thenod to Warren Zevon and the early albums of Tom Waits’; in the way he useshumour, without it getting in the way of gritty scene setting and darker, almostnoirish moods.
Though entertaining and a trifleeccentric, he tells an interesting tale, never failing to unearth the detailsthat convince. “Souls Are Diamond” is lyrical and literate, the sort of song that made Elliott Murphysuch an interesting proposition when he first appeared. “Roll On W. Yr Love” isupbeat, funny and touching, and the duet (sorry - I don’t know the name of thefemale singer) “I Will Call You Friend” is poignant and pretty.
Only seven tracks long, and recordedlive, the good news is, between theatre and writing projects, he’s in thestudio recording a full-length album. Personally, I can’t wait.www.flanagansmith.comwww.facebook.com/Flanagan-Smithwww.flanagansmith.bandcamp.comRob F.