Crossword Smiles

Consequences & Detours

Big Stir Records

Combining Fountains of Wayne and the Cars, both musically and lyrically, makes for an irresistible blend. That’s what Crossword Smiles have done on their new album.

While all of these songs are about relationships, except for “Fake A Smile,” which is about getting through life, the band dissects romance very well, even on a song called “Girls Club,” which could be about coming out, but I’ll let the band explain what it’s about in the companion interview to this review.

Like the late Adam Schlesinger, the band’s empathy for women looms large here. They look out for women even if the women did them wrong in the relationship, and to do that is feminist. “Once Or Twice” is about a married couple in a not-so-happy marriage, and it’s nice to see pop/rock delving into that too.

So if you want pop/rock that’s going to make you think, this band is for you. You’ll hum the songs, starting with the wonderful melodies, as you contemplate relationships. It’s a great album for both.

Andrea Weiss