Second Best Death
sir004 | Released: February 2006
- Wait For This
- Choking. Kicking. Screaming.
- Second Best Death
- Favours For Favours
- Dinner Is Served
- And Suddenly…
- Shakey Wilson
“What name do you go by these days?”
“Same as always.”
So begins Second Best Death, Maybe Smith’s third full-length album and fourth release in four years. His most accomplished and stunning work to date, Second Best Death showcases a unique evolution of the sample-heavy electro-pop that Maybe Smith has become known for, combining flourishes of aching lap steel guitar, dense electronic backdrops and mournful lyrical imagery. Electro-alt-country? Sort of. A loose mixture of Smog, The Byrds, Fennesz and Mum provides a decent entry point here, but there is something inherent in every Maybe Smith song that shakes the foundation of such conclusions. In that sense, it is “Same as always” after all.
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
Thursday August 3, 2006
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!
Monday April 3, 2006
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
Wednesday March 29, 2006
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
Monday March 20, 2006
“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
Thursday March 2, 2006
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 »
Sir, Handsome Records is an independent record label based out of Saskatoon, SK, Canada. We make and release top notch music. Most 
