Music Review: Smile.DK - Smile
Written by: Kage Alan

           Album Rating: B

Related: Smile.Dk - Future Girls (Album Review)
Exclusive Info from Smile.DK's Management [July 8th, 2002]
Exclusive Smile.DK Interview [Dec 10th, 2002]

         There’s something about having two Danish women record a Pop album in English and release it in Japan and Hong Kong that makes me laugh.  Maybe it reminds me a little bit of a movie that featured and Australian and an American playing two Irish people coming to America.  Does it make any sense at all???  Oh, well.  It was during my first adventure to the Orient (right after I landed and took a taxi to the apartment no less) that I was ushered over to my in-law’s stereo and told to sit and listen to a song that was going to knock my socks off.  Personally, I’d have been happy if it had knocked everything else off too because all I wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep for a week.  I don’t do so well without Dramamine on planes, but I digress.

The song turned out to be “Butterfly,” an extremely catchy little dance number and first single from Smile’s debut album that continues to knock my socks off to this day.  It was actually because of this song that I spent two weeks scouring the shelves in every Hong Kong CD shop trying to locate an album that hadn’t been released yet.  When I did finally find it, it was well worth the wait.  You see, when an album gets released overseas, many of them tend to include lots of extras that are only pipe dreams to North American consumers.  This particular album contained bonus tracks, a key chain and a second CD with two videos from the album and it wasn’t anymore expensive than the other new release that week.

Being a debut album, Smile.DK has to try as much as possible and adds a number of cultural flavors to the eleven original tracks.  “Butterfly”, which is the first song, features a Japanese melody where as the next track, “Coconut”, is influenced with a more Caribbean sound.  “Sweet Senorita” covers the Spanish section of the album, but is the weakest of the bunch.  “Middle Of The Night” introduces a more traditional Pop flavor into the mix and I’d swear this song could have been an early Ace Of Base hit.  It’s different enough to make it stand out on the album, but also in a good way because you may catch yourself humming the chorus.

The two songs that follow, “Tic Toc” and “Get Out” are rather bland little Pop numbers that don’t leave much of an impression.  They are more than made up for by “Boys”, the second single from the album, and “Mr. Wonderful.” Smile.DK succeeds most when the music has a great beat and a swelling melody to accompany their vocals.  These girls aren’t quite Madonna or Sarah Brightman here, but they do have an energy and freshness that will allow them time to develop with each future release.

The next two songs, “Knock Knock” and “Comme Ci Comme Ca,” aren’t quite as memorable as some of the others, yet fare better than “Tic Toc” and “Get Out,” so the music does tend to remain fairly consistent and enjoyable from beginning to end.  “Happy In Love” finishes off the album and while the lyrics are definitely not the strong point here, it’s still a decent song and I think it allows listeners to come full circle and realize where Smile.DK have found their niche.  The remaining two tracks are re-mixes of “Butterfly.” The “Pan Ace Radio Mix” is fairly annoying while the “Anaconda Re-mix” does just enough to make itself sound like the mixer was trying to come up with something interesting.  It works, but the original is still the preferred version.

Incidentally, the second disc contained the videos for “Butterfly” and “Boys.” It’s video CD quality, so while not anywhere near a DVD picture, it’s still a glimpse at the group we’ll never have in North America.  I was really happy with this debut album and am pleased to say that Smile.DK released their sophomore album, “Future Girls,” last year, which I picked up in Japan.  While I should have reviewed that CD first because it’s newer, there is a distinct lack of reviews about Smile.DK on the Internet at all, so I’ll post a review for the follow-up in a few weeks.  In the meantime, bug your local import dealer and spread the word.  Smile.DK is fun through and through!

Kage holds degrees in Creative Writing, as well as Film & Video. He has been featured in a Life Journey Tele-Course, published poems in several national anthologies, been a contributor to The Third Coast Magazine and written several novels. kage@modamag.com

Comments:
Name = juan pablo
From = bitt_bitt@hotmail.com 
Comments = you make me cry with that article, and i live in peru, and that don't happend here, 'cuase nobody knows, who is smile.dk :'(, well, bye

Date/Time of Posting:  May 10 2002 / 18:13:10
Name = vas littlecrow
e-mail = vaslittlecrow@hotmail.com
Subject = BIG SMILE DK-Freak!!!
Comments = I first found out about them on Ramna 1/2 and Dance Dance Revolution. If there's an imports dealer reading them selling them in MN (or by mail) please contact me. I LOVE THOSE GIRLS!

Date/Time of Posting: May 11 2002 / 17:00:51
Name = Anthy
Where = setsuna_shadows@hotmail.com
Subject = Hooray :D
Comments = *huggles smile.dk* They're so fun on DDR, they have some of the best songs. You didn't even mention Dragonfly, which is another I can't stop listening to ^_~

Date/Time of Posting:  May 13 2002 / 16:22:12
name = Luan
where = peckham_scumbag@hotmail.com
Subject = Long Live Smile.DK!!!
comments = Yay! Smile.DK are the best! i live in the UK, England, London and i LOVE Smile! Those two girls are so great! when i first discovered them on DDR i couldn't stop humming the song Butterfly for a whole week! and Petit Love is a song a absolutely cant stop listening to! It's so hard to find the album on import to the UK though!

Date/Time of Posting:  May 19 2002 / 06:59:02
name = Josie
where = innocenttreasure@hotmail.com
Subject = Smile.dk CD
comments = I can't find their CD anywhere! I live in Chicago, IL and been looking everywhere but it's nowhere in sight. *sigh*
I wish I lived in Japan.

Date/Time of Posting:  May 21 2002 / 14:48:05
name = HANS
where = FAITHLITA70@HOTMAIL.COM
Subject = FAITH
comments = ME ENCANTA SMILE DK Y ME ENCANTARIA QUE ME EMVIAR ALGO DE INFO DE ELLOS O.K BUENO YO SOY DE CHILE LOS QUIERO ADIOS

Date/Time of Posting:  May 26 2002 / 23:09:36
Name = kiki
Where = zhouquan44@163.net
Subject = what's their official website?
Comments = I like smile.dk very much. their songs are always full of happiness and excitement.but how can i get their offical website? Who can help me?

Date/Time of Posting:  Jun 03 2002 / 11:27:55
Name = LB
Where = loserbait@hotmail.com
Subject = Smile of course!
Comments = I'm still trying to scourge the Net for their official site. These gals... They REALLY like to stay hidden.

Date/Time of Posting:  Jun 11 2002 / 21:12:24
name = 'Juan
where = oscillatorx@earthlink.com
Subject = smile dk Rocks!
comments = Smile dk  are great (too bad they are broke up now!) If anyone knows where I could get some smile dk VINYL please e-mail me with info.
THANX!
Note: We're working on getting all who asked some info about purchasing a disk. Keep on the lookout on this page!

Date/Time of Posting:  Jun 18 2002 / 00:48:02
name = Eddy
where = umbrella_co@hotmail.com
Subject = SMILE.DK 4EVER
comments = Un saludo a todos , para empezar la persona que hizo ese diske review es una porqueria ... en segundo lugar  , se que es dificil comprenderlo tanto como me costo a mi , pero smile.dk se desintegro en enero de este aסo (2002) para lanzarse como solitas las dos ( veronica y Hinna ) ... estoy ke me lleva ... casi creo que llore cuando lei la noticia ... escribanme o denme de alta en su msn !!! saludos , bye

  Date/Time of Posting:  Jun 24 2002 / 14:40:30
name = Miyankhee (Mi-Yan-Kee)
where = XxibikxdaxrycexX@hotmail.com
Subject = Smiles for Smile!
comments = Aye! Juz wanna say... SMILES.DK IZ DA BES ALBUM EVAR! I mean, my gosh do they rock! Not only in DDR, but in the music history!!!! I wouldn't be so good at DDR, if it wasn't for them... I kept on playing the game, just to listen to butterfly... After 8x, I was playing DDR like a master!!! TY to Smile!! Baiz!!! I LUB SMILE~!

Date/Time of Posting:  Jun 30 2002 / 15:40:10
name = Tennyo 
where = girl_for_christ_1999@yahoo.com
Subject = SmileDK!!!
comments = Smile DK is the greatest I have several of their songs, but I would LOVE to get my hands on their CD!

  Date/Time of Posting:  Jun 30 2002 / 06:32:01
name = Jeff
where = Jiffy8827@aol.com
Subject = I LUV SMILE .DK
comments = Smile .dk is soooo good. THeir Pop/Techno sound is awsome and i wish there was more of this kinda of Music in the US. Bumblebee is an awsome song and I highlt suggest downloading it.

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 01 2002 / 12:42:06
name = szabi
where = djperfectpitch@hotmail.com
Subject = hard to find videos
comments = i love smile.dk and i really wanna see one of there videos and i tried there fansite and that site doesent work if anyone knows where i can find any of there music videos email me at: djperfectpitch@hotmail.com thanks

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 04 2002 / 09:09:22
IP Address:  202.128.19.3
name = Rexman Ng
where = my_vodka@hotmail.com
replyemail = Where have these girls been?
comments = This is totally unfair, i been searching all over the net for Smile.dk's official website.  What have these girls been doing? im not even sure if their still doing music or not.  Britney Spears has her website, where is Smile.dk's?  See i never got to see a REAL GOOD picture of the girls, cause in butterfly they sound so cute, but i can never tell from a small photo given on this site.  If anyone knows the official website, i'll gve u sum stuff.  Like anything, just email the site to my address, and i will give u somthing in return, thats a promise! U NAME IT!! 
Editor's reply: If you'd like, send me an e-mail at: editor@modamag.com and I will forward a larger version of the photo above to you.

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 04 2002 / 22:30:33
IP Address:  152.163.201.212
name = birdbraineater
where = gaminye2gt@aol.com
Subject = plz email me their site n info about them
comments = i really really really really love smile.. they r my fav asian band n i really want to know more about them if anyone of u know their offician site please email me n please email me if u have info about their cds n things...thank you very much

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 06 2002 / 09:31:16
IP Address:  210.49.172.169
name = Loserbait
where = loserbait@hotmail.com
Subject = Smile DK of course
comments = Just to let you guys know... Smile DK split up February this year. It's a little depressing but at least they produced two awesome albums.
Editor's Note: For more details on that check out our exclusive Smile.DK Info!

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 17 2002 / 11:25:27
IP Address:  64.122.17.154
name = Bonnie
where = Hottie27BEG@Hotmail.com
replyemail = C.D's
comments = How do I get a hold of the other C.D.'s?
Editor's Note: Same contact as above should work...

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 16 2002 / 17:53:01
IP Address:  200.72.12.162
name = HANS RIVAS
where = FAITHLITA70@HOTMAIL.COM
replyemail = SMILE D.K
comments = NECESITO SITIOS DE SMILE D.K POR-FA LOS QUIERO MUCHO ADIOS

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 16 2002 / 17:53:59
IP Address:  200.72.12.162
name = HANS RIVAS
where = FAITHLITA70@HOTMAIL.COM
comments = SMILE D.K PORFAVOR FOTOS O SITIOS

Date/Time of Posting:  Aug 10 2002 / 21:17:24
IP Address:  64.212.140.68
name = Sean
where = good_vz_evil@hotmail.com
Subject = albums?
comments = hmm... I tried emailing Scott from borderline music, but it said his email was full and couldn't be delivered. is there any other way to contact him? I love smile.dk and I really want their albums!

Q: Date/Time of Posting:  Aug 10 2002 / 01:54:21
IP Address:  64.212.140.24
name = Sean
where = good_vz_evil@hotmail.com
subject = smile and borderline music
comments = Hey.. I love smile.dk and I'd really like to get my hands on either of their albums. I emailed Scott and borderline_music@hotmail.com , and it said his email was full and it couldn't be delivered! Help! I want to be added to the list of people who want their album. anyone know what to do? well anyway... I just wanna say that they have such awesome music. eurodance is great, and smile.dk makes some of the best I've ever heard.

Date/Time of Posting:  Aug 26 2002 / 21:06:13
IP Address:  198.81.26.170
name = Hilary
where = Kidoseot4love@aol.com
replyemail = Smile.dk is the best!
comments = Hi, Smile.dk is my favorite group! My favorite song from them is Dragonfly and i really like Jet Set Life! I always wondered why they are not famous here in the USA?If anyone knows, would you be able to tell me? It gets me so mad that no one knows of them! Thank you so much!

Date/Time of Posting:  Sep 02 2002 / 15:23:10
IP Address:  200.50.116.66
comments = no hay painas de videos de este grupo ademas todo es money it`s very bad.

Q:Date/Time of Posting:  Aug 21 2002 / 16:48:50
IP Address:  64.109.39.228
name = Jennie
comments = Anyone want to move to Japan with me to get the cd?

Q:Date/Time of Posting:  Sep 16 2002 / 12:20:46
IP Address:  63.79.181.9
name = vinny
where = hardyv05@hotmail.com
comments = where can i get the cd?

Q:Date/Time of Posting:  Sep 16 2002 / 01:55:32
IP Address:  81.86.135.70
comments = Where can i find their CD?! (London, UK here) they are great!

Q: Date/Time of Posting:  Sep 22 2002 / 13:07:51
IP Address:  62.253.128.5
name = Zonic (queen of rave)
comments = I want GET OUT do u know where i cant download it in mp3?

Date/Time of Posting:  Oct 08 2002 / 15:01:51
IP Address:  12.83.71.184
name = XxButterflyxX
where = ShadowGirlddr@yahoo.com
comments = Smile.Dk rules...I happened to be listening to my Smile.DK playlist as I came accross this review. I was quite intrigued by the review.. but as mentioned before There was no mention of Dragonfly on this album...hmm...also they are fun to play on Dance Dance Revolution...as you can see Butterfly is one of my favorites.

Date/Time of Posting:  Oct 10 2002 / 05:28:17
IP Address:  194.71.67.10
name = Big L
where = ande27@hotmail.com
comments = The girls are not from Denmark! They are from Sweden.

Date/Time of Posting:  Oct 24 2002 / 06:52:54
IP Address:  206.112.56.130
name = Mellie
where = rockthismamitoo@netscape.net
comments = I like Smile.dk.  Playing their songs on Dance Dance Revolution is so much fun.  I love Petit Love.  It's my musical sugar.

Date/Time of Posting:  Oct 26 2002 / 23:36:47
IP Address:  172.194.34.119
name = ^_^
where = bosangy@aol.com
comments = THEY SOUND HELLA SEXY...THEIR SONGS R DA BEST I LOVE IT

Date/Time of Posting:  Oct 30 2002 / 06:24:27
IP Address:  193.67.113.66
name = Power2All
where = http://www.ViroTeck.net
comments = Smile.DK are good because I like their beats and it's not like "Shakira" which I really dont like cause she is making strange clips and smile.dk has the touch of making melodies which can we can really feel. I came in touch with this topic on google btw when searching for smile.dk official site. Go ON GIRLS ! Make us fans PROUD !

Date/Time of Posting:  Nov 05 2002 / 16:34:22
IP Address:  62.254.0.6
name = Xero Signal
where = T0X1K@HOTMAIL.COM
comments = If anyone wants Smile .dk Photos / Tracks / Videos then get ICQ and add me - my number is: 99837652

Official Comment: Date/Time of Posting:  Nov 09 2002 / 12:52:56
name = Robert Uhlmann
comments = Hi everybody! I'm the producer/songwriter for Smile .dk. I've seen rumors that they are splitting up...and I can tell you...that IT'S NOT TRUE. We've just finished their 3rd album, which will be released in Japan in December 2002.

Date/Time of Posting:  Dec 05 2002 / 12:23:30
IP Address:  200.44.138.207
name = pedro fernandez
where = Fn_v_t@hotmail.com
comments = Para empezar es verdad, smile.dk no son danesas son de Suecia, y gracias a dios no se separaron, acaban de lanzar su nuevo disco "GOLDEN SKY", el cual es el titulo de su primera canción (del cd), lo lanzaron ayer (4 de diciembre del 2002), y estoy seguro que está de lo mejor aunque nunca lo llegue a escuchar porque soy de Venezuela.
Si alguien necesita saber algo acerca de ellas o me puede dar direcciones donde conseguir sus canciones y demás acerca de ellas, mandenme un e-mail sin pena ni verguenza; o si saben el origen de su nombre (sobre todo del .dk).
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