John Kennedy, The Dominion Post, Reviews “Aurere”

“Immediately impressive is the spaciousness of these live-in-the-studio recordings: a fine setting for Smith’s bittersweet word play and liquid amber vocals. She’s an extraordinary singer with vast reserves of firepower and the smarts to keep diva elasticity well in check – at the service of her songs. Smith crafts her lyrics with disarming angles and imbalances, echoing the fractured souls that inhabit these social vignettes. The title track, with its languidly desperate refrain, comes close to the rustic, effortless delivery of classic pop. Some smart programming breaks up the thermal balladry with funkier feels. The band is finely attuned to Smith’s charged performances and this is an exceptionally well-realised local CD.” (Four stars out of five) John Kennedy, The Dominion Post, Friday April 2005