Customer Reviews

God Save the Smithereens

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

After the colossal failure that was A Date With The Smithereens, which all but killed the band, the Smithereens have returned to what they do best: writing two and three minute songs that reek of their influences (Buddy Holly, the Beatles, and the Kinks). Which is great, for this is the formula that brought them their greatest success (although modest) in the 80's, before they felt the inclination to turn everything up to 11 in the studio in order to compete with the Seattle movement. Unfortunately, the five year silence (longer if you want to totally dismiss DWTS) between records cost them all but their most fervent fans, and the chances of regaining past commercial success are slim to none, due to radio's current taste for garbage. This is really an album for Smithereens fans only, one of those "great little secret" kind of records. If you haven't been a fan since the beginning (like I have), chances are this won't end up in your collection. But if you didn't happen to be around during their peak years('86 to '91), actually like British Invasion type melodies from an American band, and have an open mind about music whose taste spans generations, then this record has much more than enough to satisfy. Thus I highly recommend it. There are two many great songs here to mention, but the absolute gems here are: "She's Got A Way", "Everything Changes", 'Flowers In the Blood", "Gloomy Sunday", "I Believe", "Even If I Never Get Back Home", "Try", and "The Last Good Time". If you end up liking what you hear here, then buy (immediately) the first three albums: Especially For You, Green Thoughts, and 11. And if you have an opportunity to see the Smithereens do it live, do not miss that chance, no matter what. I saw them here in September (outdoors on a rainy evening, no less), and they sounded as great as ever. I hope to see them many more times in the coming years. Long live the Smithereens!

The Smithereens have decided to re-release "God Save the Smithereens" from 1999, as well as Pat DiNizio's "Songs and Sounds" from 1997. Both are excellent, and the latter is such a great album and didn't get a ton of press in the late 90s since it wasn't "The Smithereens" but just Pat. It became a collector's album after it was out of print for a while - not the path that it was expected to take, I'm sure.
"God Save" is also excellent, but it too faded quicker than it should have. It has been deemed (unofficially) their comeback album after 1994's "Date with" didn't do that well.

The bonus tracks in this double CD package are superb. You'll hear some songs that almost made it onto "God Save" in 1999, as well as a few alternate tracks of songs you already know. It's like having a new Smithereens record - sort of. Also some unreleased demos are included for a treat. The tracks from Pat DiNizio live in Spain are worth more than one listen. He sings Smithereens tunes on stage without the band. Apparently this is another rare album that has rarely seen the light of day, so it's nice that these songs are on this re-release. The new liner notes from Pat are worth it, too!

Die hard fans most likely already own "GSTS" and PDS&S" so it's a little bit of a downer having to buy these albums again. But just a little. Rumors of an entirely NEW album have been flying about, and it's going on 6 years since that's happened. So I'm sure I speak for many when I say that I can't wait for the day that new album comes out! This double CD is a nice treat for now.

The Smitereens are one of the most underappreciated rock bands I have ever heard of. People just dismiss them away because they're not in their prime. Good, bluesy music. Keep up the good work.

Although this album wasn't all I expected, it far outshined both "Date" and "Blow Up." I own every Smithreens CD, including Live, and can say the latest "God" provides some hope. After "Date with" a thought they might be dead. In fairness, however, it's hard not to compare all newer (and future) recordings to "Beauty," "Especially," "Green" and "11," all of which were classic.

This is the re-mastered version of God Save The Smithereens, the smithereens last all origninal studio album, packaged together with pat dinizio's first solo album "Songs and Sounds". For those of you who don't have either right now, get this, one stop shopping package. Pat's first solo album is well worth it, and with the bonus tracks, very great addtion. The bonus tracks on God Save The Smithereens I do believe justify buying another copy of this album, because the original was just that good, and the bonus tracks are excellent also. This is the second version of God Save The Smithereens I own (with the original being number one, but I actually own 3 version of Pat Dinizio's songs and sounds (original release date 1997 on velvel) which the first version had 12 tracks plus a hidden track. on this version, the hidden track is #13, and 14-19 are live tracks, or demo's of older song, good to hear in a new form. Their was one edition in-between of "song's and sounds" that has 21 tracks or so that are different than this version. Worth checking out, or buying all of these albums, but his is a great package worth the re-buying.

Desperate times call for desperate measures... and when you havent had an album out for 5 years, even Velvel/Koch looks appealing. Here is a record that would be 4 stars + on most charts if it was marketed or publicized IN ANY WAY! I give it 5 stars for being so good with so little support. However, there is support that did work. Don Simpson's ear is fantastic as he drew out the best possible sound the band can muster in a non-live setting. Carrie Akre's voice is wonderful and spooky on the 2nd cut (although the song seems miscast with this band). Lou Soloff of Blood, Sweat and Tears turns in a wonderfully bluesy and melancholy trumpet on "Try." The most appealing part of this record is that there is a little bit of something for everyone (much like The Rising). There is power pop, surfer sound, beatlemania, and Kinks & Who influences everywhere. The only downer about this album is the fate of The Smithereens. There can be no mistaking the title and the final song... yes, only God can save The Smithereens from a fate of being the best band out there without a recording deal. Maybe that's why Pat Dinizio signed off this record with the fateful words, Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye...

It is quite evident from this album that the Smithereens have grown as musicians and songwriters. After one over-produced album (Blow Up) and one uninspired album (A Date with the Smithereens), they are once again at their rockin' best. This is their best album since Smithereens 11. Although not all of the songs are gems (for instance, "Try", "Even If I Never Get Back Home") the great songs ("House At the End of the World", "The Last Good Time") make up for it.

If you're reading these reviews at all, you probably just want to know if the Smithereens fizzled out totally. I listened to both "Date with the Smithereens" and this album in the used section, and this one is better. ("Date" definately felt full of filler, and I didn't buy it.)

You'll recognize the pre-11 sound on this album if you're an old time fan. It's not a knockout... but since you probably won't ever find these songs on a "greatest hits" collection, go an get it!

There's a haunting primal beauty in Pat Dinizio's favourite chord combinations, which generally involve a I-minor to-VII-to-IV or variations therof. That's here in abundance --- as it always has been. This time, the songs also sound punchier than ever. As a matter of fact, in a fair universe, House At the End of the World would be a monster hit. All in all, this disc is as good as Dinizio's 1997 solo outing, Songs and Sounds --- and that's saying something. The album title is apt: we must never lose these guys.

From the opening 60's like guitar sounds on "She's Got A Way" to the nearly heavy metal "Last Good Time" you will be pleasantly surprised by this record. In between those extremes you will hear echo's of the Beach Boys, Byrds, Beatles and even a reworked Billie Hoiliday song that is a highlight. It's been almost 6 years since the last studio recording & it was worth the wait. Let's hope it doesn't take that long for the next release. These guys are great at what they love to do.