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Parallel Lines

by Crossword Smiles

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Parallel Lines 03:22
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New Single Announcement: Big Stir Records is pleased to introduce CROSSWORD SMILES. The new duo's debut single “Parallel Lines” -- out this Friday, August 12, up for pre-order at bigstirrecords.bandcamp.com now, and streaming everywhere on the street date -- finds Michigan indie pop veterans TOM CURLESS (of Your Gracious Host and solo renown) and CHIP SAAM (The Hangabouts and Curless's backing band The 46%) exploring new sonic textures and lyrical landscapes under a brand new name. “Parallel Lines” is the first hint of what fans can expect when the debut album from CROSSWORD SMILES sees release on Big Stir Records this fall.

And what an introduction it is. CROSSWORD SMILES start as they mean to go on, evoking the heyday and sophisticated textures of '80s college rock and applying them to the kind of classic pop-rock song structures and melodies at which Curless and Saam both excel. With upfront harmonies that recall Crowded House and flourishes inspired by touchstones as diverse as Fountains Of Wayne and Steely Dan, it's a taut and mysterious relationship study that opens up into an unforgettable chorus. If it strikes you that those influences add up to a sound that could only be described as “timeless,” you're starting to get the picture. “Parallel Lines” would sound great on the radio in any decade.

And there's more to come. “Parallel Lines” will be accompanied by a music video starring Tom and Chip, and this month will bring the announcement of the full length album to be released on LP and CD this Autumn. For now, though, marvel at this first preview of a new approach to indie pop from two of its most reliable practitioners. There's something in a name: CROSSWORD SMILES demonstrates both the melodic deftness of of Saam and Curless in puzzling out a whole new sound, and just how much fun they had doing so.

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released January 1, 2016

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Big Stir Records Burbank, California

Big Stir Records presents the finest music from the global pop rock scene on CD, Vinyl and Digital. Pop outside the box with Big Stir!

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