A split 7" vinyl single on candy floss pink vinyl no less! It's a twee pop playoff. Just to make things interesting, each band does a cover of a song by the other band.
Let's take a listen to The Just Joans side first. They do a nice line in plaintive love songs that reek of playground abandonment. Not a bad thing, of course, and it is all delivered in that darling deadpan Lanarkshire accent. The best thing about these two songs (both the cover of "Gin and Platonic" and "I Hear You're A Man Now") is the lyrics. There's enough content in there for a couple of teen angst movies. Perfectly fitted songs for ill fitting people.
Time for The Smittens side. Perhaps we'll get the American viewpoint? Well, The Smittens seem distinctly upbeat compared to The Just Joans. Their two shots at the crown ("What Do We Do Now?" and "Summer Sunshine") bounce along nicely. Actually, "What Do We Do Now?" - the Just Joans cover - is a rather downbeat prodigal son returns sort of song while "Summer Sunshine" is more likely destined for a teen movie soundtrack so clean living and jolly it is. Either way, perfect toothpaste for a perfect smile.
We had Bill Forsyth and they had John Hughes. We've got The Just Joans and they've got The Smittens. It's a points decision but the home team gets it. You just can't beat a bit of embittered teenage self destruction to inspire a love song.