I suppose it's a bad sign when a band commemorates their tenth year of performance and the individual responsible for reviewing their latest release has never heard of them. As the liner notes boldly proclaim, the Smugglers began as "teenaged nobodies" and have toiled tirelessly these ten years past to reach their present- day status as "twenty- something nobodies." So much for progress. Contrary to the low expectations such observations suggest, however, Growing Up Smuggler displays a band charming in their undying mission to have fun, who also know how to string together a likeable tune every now and then.

It's interesting to learn that, in the beginning, the Smugglers experimented with the darker sounds of the post- punk movement, because the 20 songs collected here showcase an upbeat band both in terms of tempo and attitude. The influences are many, but they generally coalesce into a sound reminiscent of late '70s punk bands, especially the Damned. There's a healthy dose of tomfoolery tempered with sufficient technical capability, as well as a loyalty to grass- roots rock 'n' roll like Chuck Berry and the Rolling Stones.

Of course, spanning a career of ten years is going to yield varying results, so don't be caught off guard when the band rocks Clash- style in "What Do You Want Me To Do?" then follows it up with the gnarly surf intonations of "Luau!" The band jumps from surf, to ska, to speed, to old fashioned rock 'n' roll at a moment's notice because their purpose isn't artfulness, it's simpler: They just want to have fun.

As far as live recordings go, the sound is clear, the levels are appropriate, and the performance is generally solid-- of course, it wouldn't be nearly as convincing if it was perfect. Growing Up Smuggler is a warm- hearted piece of work, and though it's unlikely to generate uncharacteristically high sales for the group, it represents a fitting milestone for an obscure band that's had many entertaining years nonetheless.

-Kevin Ruggeri