Whereas songs like "Weekend" and "Dance Away" supply the new record with its undeniable hooks, "All Die Young" and "End of the Night" bring a deceptive sophistication that puts the Smith Westerns in another league. In these songs, the band maintain a breathless classic-pop cohesion across completely separate sections, studded with piano interludes and "Freebird"-esque guitar solos that give way to fuzz-laden runs that blare like trumpets.

"I wish we had Queen's budget to make Night at the Opera," muses Kakacek almost one year to the date of the album's release. "But we made Dye It Blonde."

THE SMITH WESTERNS + PORCELAIN RAFT + BLEACHED | Paradise Rock Club, 967 Comm Ave, Boston | January 29 @ 7 pm | $15 | 617.562.8800

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