The Smittens, with three primary vocalists, are a veritable twee pop variety show. Max Andrucki’s baritone resembles that of Stephin Merritt and contrasts dramatically with the whisper-soft vocals of Dana Kaplan and indie pop veteran Colin Clary. The group is at its best when singing about love and nature, but branches out occasionally; “It’s a Saturday” humorously adapts the Bay City Rollers’ “Saturday Night” into a Smittens theme song, while the oblique social commentary of “H&M (+A)” seems out of place on a collection of mostly hearts-and-flowers ditties. The Coolest Thing About Love is the Smittens’ third album and their most accomplished to date — the ensemble vocal performances are tighter than ever and the songs easily rate among the group’s best. – Greg Adams
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