"Bagarap Empires is an intelligent compassionate and sardonic Australians response to his experiences as a Peace Monitor in Bougainville and the Solomon Islands"
Doug Spencer, Producer, The Planet, Radio National

"There is a line of dark humour and pathos running through these stories that makes his tunes avoid the earnest tones of many a folkster. His dead pan delivery, reminiscent of the mighty Ed Kuepper, is coupled with stripped arrangements, an updated pop sensibility and a way with a simple melody which makes the whole seem fresh yet familiar... Fred Smith is well on his way... ".
Ralph Douglas, Muse Magazine

"The ballads are beautiful, the words are dark."
Georgia Curry, Canberra Times