Kimberly Dunn

EP Review – Kimberly Dunn – New Smoke Show Vol. 1

Rating: 7/10

I’ve liked Kimberly Dunn since her last album, Forever on the Run, came out some years ago. I like how her songs aren’t always super-deep and sad. Which is why I don’t know why it’s taken me so many weeks since this EP came out to have a listen, but now that I’ve done so? I’m even more sad I waited.
Things kick off with “High Horse”. It’s a song about someone who thinks they’re better than everyone else, and Kimberly is saying how she can’t be glad for them when good things happen. They take from everyone else just to get what they want. It’s a nice way to open the album, because it’s not a slow song. Plus, there’s a nice guitar solo in it, too. I just wish her vocals had been performed better. This is because at the end of some words and phrases, her voice sounds pretty strained. It seems to break a bit, which is something I noticed on her last album too.
Next is “Traffic”. It’s one of my favorites off of this EP. The song talks about how she’s in traffic, and that time spent waiting gave her some perspective on her current relationship. He’s no good for her, and she just needs to get rid of him and stop taking him back. It’s catchy, fun, and has great subject matter.
“Stand on It” is yet another lighter song. It’s all about how she doesn’t follow convention. Not being able to be put into a box, she stands on that box instead. It’s a fast song with nice guitar work, and I’m definitely a fan. “Until We Never Meet Again” is a breakup song. She owes a lot of bills, and is sick of being hurt by her boyfriend. Therefore, she kicks him out, burns all of his stuff, and sends him back to his mom’s basement. It’s a slower song and shows off her vulnerability to great effect.
“You Belong With Her” is a really good song, because she’s sending her cheating boyfriend back to the woman he cheated on her with. I’m definitely a fan of this, because she’s not crying or sad he cheated. She just kicks him out, and says he got what he deserved, and that that woman is perfect for him. I have to add here that the fiddle in this song is awesome.
The last song on here, “Lonestar” is my favorite. When I first saw the title, I was a little nervous. I thought it was just another song about Texas. It turns out that I thought wrong. What “Lonestar” is actually about is her being a wanderer. She’s with a man who just wants to be with her, put down roots, and build a life. Instead, she’s a singer and a dreamer, and always has to be on the road. While this can admittedly be an overdone theme, I just found it very well-done in this song. Her voice really shines here, and it’s one to check out.
This EP is one I knew I had to cover when I heard it. I just loved some of these songs too much. I had to talk about them. In some places, Kimberly Dunn’s voice is weaker than it should be, but in others, that’s more than made up for. There are only six songs and they’re pretty short, but I’m a fan of that. She says what needs saying, and that’s that. I think you should check out this EP if any of these songs sound good to you. It’s not the most amazing piece of music, but you don’t feel put through the wringer upon listening to it either, and that’s quite refreshing.

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2 thoughts on “EP Review – Kimberly Dunn – New Smoke Show Vol. 1”

  1. Ok, I finally listened to all of this, and I didn’t like it as much as you, but it did get me to Forever on the Run which I enjoyed quite a lot.

  2. I’m glad you like Forever on the Run, it’s where I discovered her music. Something about this EP just got me. I guess I listened to it at the perfect time.

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