Customer Reviews

Anthology: From Jersey It Came

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Rolling Stone magazine called this South Jersey quartet the Best New Artist of 1986...this anthology is an audio confirmation of that recognition.
The Smithereens combine Rock, Blues & Surf music into their own unique style & the influences of The Beatles, The Beach Boys & The Who, among others, can be heard throughout this 2 CD set.
Lead vocalist Pat DiNizio, guitarist Jim Babjak, bassist Mike Mesaros & drummer Dennis Diken are as an explosive musical combination as there has been in Rock & Roll history.
This well rounded collection includes live recordings & unreleased demos. Includes the song that introduced most of us to the band, Blood & Roses, as well as such AOR classics as Strangers When We Meet, Behind the Wall of Sleep, Only A Memory, Drown In My Own Tears, House We Used To Live In, A Girl Like You & Too Much Passion.
An absolute must for all fans of the band & all those hungry to explore what typical mid to late 1980s R&R was all about. Includes an excellent & informative 28 page booklet giving musical history & the stories behind each song on the anthology.

Expanding their previous single disc best-of, this "anthology" thoroughly covers the band from it's inception to it's finale...if in fact they have really stopped recording.

The Smithereens are one of those bands that you just love. Especially if you're an aficionado of rock and roll. These guys should have been all over the charts, but their often-cheerful, sometimes melancholy retro sound doesn't really have a place on today's radio.

These tunes would simply embarrass the glut of faux R&B, chirpy teen hip-hop that is normally played at Top 40-style radio. The quality would prove how slight and wan those newer songs really are.
However, there DOES appear to be room on the radio today for groups like Maroon 5, Fountains of Wayne and the 80's-ish sounds of The Killers and Franz Ferdinand. If you like THOSE groups, then by all means give these guys a try. Crashing guitars, back-to-basics rock beats, and simple but memorable melodies compete with sweet ballads complete with strings and acoustic guitars.
The duet with Belinda Carlisle ("Blue Period"), and some of the intentionally mid-60's lounge-ish stuff ("In A Lonely Place") have not and will not age at all. They're "pre-aged", and nicely done at that, so their timelessness is assured.

There is absolutely nothing to dislike about this collection, these songs and this group...
...it's not that you'll pleasantly surprised, you'll be floored.

I wish I was just discovering this band right now...

The Smithereens have to be one of the most criminally underated bands of the 20th century. It's nice that here in the 21st we can remember them with this nice collection.

It's rare when power pop chords combine with insightful lyric writing and is presented with such fine melodic music. Pat D. and crew get my vote for one of the finest examples of this type music since The Beatles set the standard. Great chiming guitars with power chords and hooks abound all around Pat's singing the great songs he writes.

If this music hits a chord with the listener I also recommend Big Star, Marshall Crenshaw, The Gin Blossoms, XTC, Rem, The dB's/Peter Holsapple/Chris Stamey, Swag, The Poisies, and The Hoodoo Gurus.

Perhaps, like a previous reviewer said, this stuff is yet again and again repackaged...However, this one is so good many folks will welcome it, if one doesn't have a knowledge it is more than just a great introduction. Personally, I love the songs, never get tired of them and welcome the few I've never heard before with open arms.

Fans of melodic pop with intelligence and power just shouldn't miss this one. If you do it is definitely your loss. I just wish they were together now and actively recording and touring because without The Smithereens the music scene is lacking a very important band in a field that doesn't have enough exposure.

I just saw the Smithereens @ Musicfest 2005 in Mountainside NJ. They were fantastic! Just as good Live as they are on CD. This collection of songs is not only a great way of revisiting their performance,but also my way of holding on to a great band that is seldom heard these days. This is the sound of New Jersey!

Many classic songs are presented here, such as "Blood And Roses," "A Girl Like You," and "Drown In My Own Tears." This anthology is definitely worth getting if you're a fan of The Smithereens. Even if you aren't... even if you have never heard of them, buy this CD! You won't be disappointed!

The Beatles once said it, and I'll say it here: A splendid time is guaranteed for all.

Fab package of eighties classics.
Most every essential (and non essential) tune represented here.
Wish they had included "Get a Hold of My Heart"

If you want honest-sounding rock music that forsakes flash for passion and heart-- listen to The Smithereens. Packed full of stories and fables tight and terse; this set is a more than worthy roundup.

...and into my loving hands they landed. all tracks that matter are in there. this smithereens fan can never ask for more.

Sadly, the Smithereens are reduced today to playing state fairs and town festivals. This is a pretty good catchall for someone just discovering the band, but I would suggest buying Especially For You and Smithereens 11 instead.

This c.d. comes nicely laden with all the crucial Smithereens album cuts you could want. Sad to say, their albums could be thin affairs. The singles would be front-loaded , but by track 9 your interest would be lost. This compiliation suffers the same fate. The pop peaks of their singles take you so high that some of the lesser tracks feel like a letdown. You might find yourself jumping tracks a lot. If you're looking for the Smithereens' cream, try Blown Away instead. All of their tastiest singles are there, and they provide a pop rush far greater than any Smithereens record, including this one.