Released 10 years ago
Smile
Cane Hill · 2016
34 min · 10 tracks · alternative metal
A raw blend of aggressive riffs and melodic hooks that balances darkness with moments of introspective vulnerability.
Top tracks — play these first
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True Love — This track features a captivating contrast between aggressive verses and a hauntingly melodic chorus, encapsulating the emotional duality present throughout the album.
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(The New) Jesus — With its provocative lyrics and driving energy, this song sets the tone for the album's themes of rebellion and existential questioning.
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St. Veronica — The track stands out for its intricate guitar work and lyrical depth, addressing themes of inner turmoil and longing with poignant imagery.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends aggressive and melodic elements effectively but remains within familiar genre boundaries.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features high-energy tracks with aggressive guitar riffs, while the second half shifts to more melodic and introspective moments.
- Several tracks incorporate contrasting dynamics, alternating between heavy instrumentation and softer vocal passages.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short bursts of aggressive energy
- introspective moments amidst chaos
- dynamic shifts in emotional tone
- frantic pacing with melodic hooks
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy, atmospheric pieces
- seek consistent, mellow vibes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2016, 'Smile' was Cane Hill's debut studio album, following their self-titled EP in 2015. At this point, the band was establishing their presence in the alternative metal scene, showcasing a mix of heaviness and melody that would define their sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Motionless in White· Of Mice & Men· Bring Me the Horizon
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Ugly Model Mannequin
The bridge shifts unexpectedly, presenting a moment of self-reflection that contrasts sharply with the song's initial aggression.
This shift introduces vulnerability not typically expressed in heavier tracks, adding emotional complexity to the overall narrative.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 MGGDA 2:50
- 2 (The New) Jesus 3:17
- 3 True Love 3:47
- 4 St. Veronica 3:33
- 5 Fountain of Youth 3:24
- 6 Cream Pie 2:25
- 7 You're So Wonderful 3:21
- 8 Ugly Model Mannequin 2:53
- 9 Screwtape 3:48
- 10 Strange Candy 5:07
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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