Smart Brown Handbag 'Harry Larry' album

You may have never heard of the Los Angeles band Smart Brown Handbag, but for over a decade this trio has been feeding their fans an impressive array of lovely dream-pop. Their official bio best summarizes their underground trajectory: "the band who is perhaps best known for it’s almost complete anonymity over the course of its 10 releases (how’s that for contradiction), makes no claims of a giant leap forward or a stylistic breakthrough, which is to say that on Harry Larry they do what they have done for over twelve years… lovingly craft sophisticated yet straightforward, and above all, wonderfully tuneful alternative pop music." And their latest record will not disappoint seasoned fans nor curious pop fanatics who worship their Luna and Posies discs. Despite their modest past, it's time for Smart Brown Handbag to be heard round far and wide. All tracks clean.

Biography
David Steinhart – Vocals, Guitars
John Glogovac – Drums, Effects, Guitars, Vocals
Cindy Albon – Bass

Harry Larry, is the latest release by Los Angeles' oft-lauded dreampopsters Smart Brown Handbag. The band who is perhaps best known for it's almost complete anonymity over the course of its 10 releases (how's that for contradiction), makes no claims of a giant leap forward or a stylistic breakthrough, which is to say that on Harry Larry they do what they have done for over twelve years... lovingly craft sophisticated yet straightforward, and above all, wonderfully tuneful alternative pop music. As with the previous three albums, Harry Larry benefits from the production of Drummer John Glogovac' "fun with home recording approach." As for the future, SBH will continue to contemplate playing a show (but probably won't), will write a new album (right away) and will secretly hope for superstardom. (well, maybe after another 10 releases).

Reviews:
David Steinhart has the band back together, and Smart Brown Handbag has produced another fine set of lilting, pretty pop songs. Damned if it doesn't work every time.

Steinhart is the songwriter, singer and general force behind the band, but when SBH records, you can be sure Cindy Albon and John Glogovac are there as well. And they're hardly contract players. Glogovac produces here, and there's a very strong feeling of collaboration among the band members.

I've been reviewing SBH albums for almost 10 years, and the consistency of quality is astounding. Perhaps it's just that Steinhart doesn't record until he's got enough good songs. And perhaps it's simply that these folks know what they're doing and are somehow able to maintain the highest standards.

Doesn't matter. Sometimes when I say a band hasn't progressed much, I mean that as a criticism. Here, however, it's a complement. Few bands or artists have a track record as solid as Steinhart and company, and in this case, same-old same-old means "amazing."
2006 Jon Worley, A&A

Indie pop-rock bundled into a Smart Brown Handbag has a new 11-song album that is their tenth release to date in "Harry Larry". Their last album "The Big Sigh" showed signs of influence from the likes of R.E.M. and Paul Westerberg. After over a decade of performance and recording, Smart Brown Handbag really has mastered the art of songwriting. Dreamy atmospheres are populated with melodic vocals and brilliant songwriting with dangling pop arrangements. Nice hooks throughout!
2006 smother.net

Smart Brown Handbag's catchy guitar pop has been rumored to be on the edge of greatness for a long time and we believe the hype.
2004 Rolling Stone

As we prepare to plummet headfirst into the new millennium, there's just one thing I still don't understand; why hasn't David Steinhart been declared a national treasure? For well over a decade, from the seriously underrated Pop Art, through his solo albums and SBH, he's been writing, playing, and singing perfect pop music for a small but dedicated group of fans. His intelligent and deeply ironic take on the world is summed up perfectly in these wonderful songs.
2004 Barry Barnett, zorilla.com

A damn great album. SBH have put together something worthy of greatness... it all falls into place to make an absolute experience.
2004 Fright X Magazine

Steinhart's albums are never startling... but understatement is the privilege of craftsmanship, and these ten songs are as enchanting, artless and desperately empathetic as any of the hundred before them.
2004 Barry Barnett, zorilla.com

Steinhart's albums are never startling... but understatement is the privilege of craftsmanship, and these ten songs are as enchanting, artless and desperately empathetic as any of the hundred before them.
2004 The War Against Silence

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Tracklisting

Smart Brown Handbag - Harry Larry