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As far as I’m concerned, A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness is essential ’90s indie pop listening. The debut album from the Pacific Northwest band Rocketship has steadily earned a cult following since its release via the seminal label Slumberland in 1996, although it’s been out of print for years. This year, Rocketship are celebrating with a 30th anniversary vinyl reissue along with a short West Coast tour, their first live dates in eight years.
A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness finds a sweet middle ground between the early twee pop of bands like Beat Happening and Tiger Trap, Stereolab-indebted electronica, and Slowdive’s dreamy shoegaze. Rocketship have released new music here and there over the past three decades, but their debut still holds up the strongest. Check it out along with Rocketship’s tour dates below; tickets are available here.
TRACKLIST:
01 “I Love You Like The Way That I Used To Do”
02 “Kisses Are Always Promises”
03 “Heather, Tell Me Why”
04 “Let’s Go Away”
05 “I’m Lost Without You Here”
06 “Carrie Cooksey”
07 “We’re Both Alone”
08 “Friendships And Love”
TOUR DATES:
04/09 – San Francisco, CA @ The Chapel
04/10 – Sacramento, CA @ The Starlet Room
04/11 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Teragram Ballroom
04/16 – Seattle, WA @ The Sunset Tavern
04/17 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness (30th Anniversary Reissue) is out 3/20 via Slumberland. Pre-order it here.