Smart Kid (Bonus Track Version)

On their seventh record (second to garner a non-local release), Vancouver's Clumsy Lovers have hit the sweet spot with their signature blend of irreverent folk-rock and progressive country. Smart Kid is what Barenaked Ladies might have sounded like had they continued in the vein of Gordon instead of pandering to MTV. It's goofy, earnest, meticulously crafted, and expertly played, with echoes of early Camper Van Beethoven and Spirit of the West. That earnestness keeps less comedic numbers like "Coming Home" and "Not Long for This World" from turning into sentimental filler and helps make offbeat numbers such as "Bobby Banjo," "Cock of the North," and the Celtic and reggae-infused "London Bridge" actually work. The Clumsy Lovers have managed to nail down the often intangible feel of a truly congenial, inclusive, and well-attended club show, and it's a testament to their authenticity that it comes off without a hint of pretense.