Stephanie Smith - Stephanie Smith EP

Producer: Mark Lee Townsend
Record Label: Gotee Records
Website:  http://www.stephanieisagirl.com

Stephanie Smith debuted digitally in late 2008 with the release of her Gotee Records debut Not Afraid.  The album released in physical form in early 2009.  While Stephanie has yet to really attain a massive amount of commercial success - she’s plugged along and been one of the hardest working artists of the past year or so.  Smith was recently a part of the Winter Wonder Slam Tour with acts like tobyMac and B.Reith.  It’s hard to image that Smith hasn’t racked up massive album sales with her catchy pop/rock sound - not unlike what you’d hear from the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Pink, or Krystal Meyers.  Stephanie recently released a 5-song follow-up to her debut - an EP simply titled Stephanie Smith.  Stephanie Smith really feels more like a continuation of the music found on Not Afraid as opposed to a follow-up, and there’s not anything wrong with that.  This 5 song EP is an in-your-face rock record - most notably seen on the extremely catchy and radio-friendly “Back to Innocence.”  Smith’s vocals are very strong here - and they soar on other anthemic rock numbers like the memorable “Heart Attack” and driving “Pieces of My Heart.”  “If You Really Want the World to Change” features a nice rock accompaniment with hints of punk thrown in for good measure.  “Joshua” is the hardest song on the record, and Smith does a great job keeping up with the rollicking track.  Overall, Stephanie Smith is a fantastic outing from the singer/songwriter.  Producer Mark Lee Townsend (Relient K, House of Heroes, Deas Vail) really helped Smith find that inner rock star on this EP.  If you’ve not wanted to fork over the money for a full-length debut - this 5 song EP could be a good starting place for you. 

Track listing:

1.  Back to Innocence
2.  Heart Attack
3.  Pieces of My Heart
4.  If You Really Want the World to Change
5.  Joshua