Smile has to be one of the oddest album covers I own, very disturbing, hard too look at, yet somehow demands that I figure it out ... though in all this time, I still haven’t. The tracks “Smile” and “Slash Your Tires” can be found on the Luna Park release, as too can “Hey Sister,” though here you’re treated to the Demo Version, which holds its own charm, and develops the song with a fresh take, reminding me that song selection for albums can be very subjective to say the least. “Rollercoaster,” a relentless driving number can also be found on the Slide EP, and stands as the center piece for the new direction Dean Wareham was taking.These tracks are much more pop oriented than anything you will find on the Galaxie 500 releases, due in great part to the rhythm section that includes Stanley Demeski and Justin Harwood, who bring both energy and percussion into the fold. Dean’s vocals are more up front and centered, rather than mixed into the music as they were with Galaxie 500, though his delivery is much more cunning, and cleaver. The songs feature fuzzed out forays of atmosphere that are more uptempo and driving, extremely strong, and just a joy to hear over and over again.