Second Best Death

Second Best Death by Maybe Smith

sir004 | February 2006



  1. Wait For This
  2. Choking. Kicking. Screaming.
  3. Second Best Death
  4. Favours For Favours
  5. Dinner Is Served
  6. And Suddenly…
  7. Shakey Wilson

Written and produced by Colin Skrapek in Saskatoon and Calgary, February – December 2005. Lap steel guitar by Luke Ryalls. Flugelhorn by Dylan McKinnon. Mastered by Joel Grundahl. Artwork by John Browne, David Jaggutis and Colin Skrapek.

Second Best Death review from Vue Weekly

Maybe Smith, the bedroom project of Saskatoon musician Colin Skrapek, currently barely makes a blip on any [online] music resources, but this probably won’t last long. His latest release, Second Best Death, calls to mind equal parts Death Cab for Cutie, Buck 65 and Saint Germain. It is a lovingly hand-crafted DIY affair, veined with a quiet genius… Read full article »

Second Best Death review from Exclaim!

Best of all is the title track, which just might be the most beautiful song you’ll hear this year… Although only seven tracks in total, the effect this album has makes it seem so much bigger. Definitely a highlight of Canadian indie music so far this year… Read full article »

Second Best Death review from Chart Magazine

Skrapek, like Dan Snaith or a younger Andrew Whiteman, has the ability and considerable charm to pull off … seemingly disparate genres. This is music for Sunday drives and Sunday hangovers. In other words, it’s a good record to have around… Read full article »

Second Best Death review from Threeohsix

“Second Best Death” is not only Maybe Smith’s best, it also is perhaps one of the most effective recorded conversations between analogue and digital music ever. This is a speech and dialogue, a reciprocal actor that can speak directly to the audience while inspiring you to move… Read full article »

Second Best Death review from The Sheaf

Having spent the last week listening to the new record Second Best Death, I can say with absolute confidence that this record is not only better [than Root Hug, but is one of the finest records released this year… Read full article »

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Albums by Maybe Smith

  • Another Murder in the Morning
  • Tinfoil on the Windows
  • Snowmen & Scientists
  • Animals & Architects
  • Second Best Death
  • Root Hug
  • One For None
  • The Arriere Garde EP

Maybe Smith

“A highlight of Canadian indie music”—Exclaim!

“Here’s your chance to discover a true northern talent.”—Chart Magazine

“Canada’s best kept musical secret.”—Grant Lawrence, CBC Radio 3

Maybe Smith is the musical alias of Colin Skrapek from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The moniker holds no major significance besides being easier to pronounce than a Polish surname, though it also happens to be the name of a gunslinger in an obscure 1950s western film.

Maybe Smith has produced five LPs and two EPs of densely packed pop music full of samples, electronic squiggles and other curiosities since 2002. In 2008 his album Animals & Architects was nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award. It lost to a Nickelback-esque rock album.

Upcoming Maybe Smith shows

  • 1-Jul Ottawa @ Major’s Hill Park – CBC Radio One Canada Day celebrations
  • 8-Jul Edmonton @ The Brixx w/ The Boyfriends
  • 9-Jul Prince George @ Art Space w/ Maple You Know and Fun Under Ceramic Kites
  • 10-Jul Vancouver @ TBD w/ Pete Samples
  • 11-Jul Victoria @ Fort Cafe w/ Pete Samples and Almonds, Cohen
  • 13-Jul Kelowna @ Blue Gator w/ Pete Samples
  • 14-Jul Calgary @ The Palomino w/ The Nix Dicksons
  • 16-Jul Regina @ The Club w/ Crosstown Rivals and Lambtadas
  • 17-Jul Winnipeg @ Lo Pub w/ TBD
  • 18-Jul Saskatoon @ Amigos w/ soso, Nestor Wynrush, and Yy