Is Smile a good place to start with Boris?

Yes, Smile is recommended as a starting point for new Boris listeners. A mesmerizing blend of heavy drone and ethereal melodies, creating an immersive soundscape that defies genre boundaries. When 'Smile' was released in 2008, Boris was already established as a pioneering force in the experimental music scene. This album followed their critically acclaimed record 'Rainbow' (2006), showcasing their evolution towards a more melodic yet still heavy sound while continuing to explore sonic experimentation.

Smile works well if you're into wave-like pacing with dynamic shifts, immersive soundscapes for deep listening and extended pieces inviting exploration.

How many songs are on Smile?

Smile has 8 tracks, running approximately 56 minutes.

Smile

Boris · 2008

56 min · 8 tracks · noise rock

A mesmerizing blend of heavy drone and ethereal melodies, creating an immersive soundscape that defies genre boundaries.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Flower Sun Rain Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its hypnotic rhythm and layered textures, exemplifying Boris's ability to merge melody with heaviness.
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My Neighbor Satan — This track features contrasting dynamics that shift between serene passages and explosive energy, reflecting the band's signature style of unpredictability.
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[untitled] — The lengthy finale encapsulates the album's essence, gradually evolving through various sonic landscapes and leaving listeners in a contemplative trance.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

70 /100

Alpine

Higher than 94% of albums we've rated

The album blends heavy drone and ethereal melodies, showcasing strong craftsmanship and rewarding repeat listens.

What we noticed

The album opens with a track that features layered guitars creating a dense wall of sound, which is then contrasted by softer, melodic sections.
Several tracks incorporate lengthy instrumental passages that gradually build in intensity, often culminating in heavy, distorted climaxes.
The final track is an untitled piece that extends the album's atmosphere with a slow fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of ambiguity.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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

wave-like pacing with dynamic shifts
immersive soundscapes for deep listening
extended pieces inviting exploration
haunting melodies for introspection

Maybe skip if you

prefer short, straightforward tracks
seek instant gratification in music

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Received acclaim and solidified Boris's innovative reputation in experimental music.
Themes: hypnotic soundscapes· heavy drone textures· melodic chaos
Career context: When 'Smile' was released in 2008, Boris was already established as a pioneering force in the experimental music scene. This album followed their critically acclaimed record 'Rainbow' (2006), showcasing their evolution towards a more melodic yet still heavy sound while continuing to explore sonic experimentation.
Stylistic neighbors: EARTH· Sleep· Pelican