Back in July, CoS contributor Joe Stahl wrote, “April Smith, with her band, The Great Picture Show, is just inches away from hitting the mainstream beat. Some might say centimeters. She’s that close.”

As it turns out, the April Smith in reference, with her band, The Great Picture Show have a new album, Songs For a Sinking Ship, due out on February 23rd. The 11-track affair was produced by Dan Romer (Ingrid Michaelson, Jenny Owen Youngs) and includes quite the eclectic instrumentation, including a piano, upright bass, drums, guitar, horns, ukulele, accordion and even, and even, when the occasion warrants, a suitcase used as a bass drum.

We should also point out that the album is entirely fan funded.  In the summer of 2009, Smith sought to raise $10,000 to record and release from her fans via Kickstarter.com. In the two months allotted for the campaign, Smith exceeded her goal, eventually earning more than $13,000 in pledges. Public Enemy might want to take note.

What’s more, the albums “Terrible Things” is currently featured in a promo spot for the Showtime TV series Californication, as evident by clicking this link.

Mainstream beat? It’s sure looking like it.

Songs For a Sinking Ship Tracklist:
01. Movie Loves A Screen
02. Terrible Things
03. Drop Dead Gorgeous
04. Can’t Say No
05. What’ll I Do?
06. Colors
07. Dixie Boy
08. The One That Got Away
09. Beloved
10. Wow and Flutter
11. Stop Wondering

April Smith & The Great Picture Show 2010 Tour Dates:
12/19 – Red Bank, NJ @ Count Basie Theatre (Glen Burtnik’s 19th Xmas Xtravaganza)
12/31 – Boston, MA @ Boston Symphony Hall *

* = w/ Amanda Palmer