Outside Society

Patti Smith | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: August 19, 2011
• Label: Arista/Legacy
• Copyright: This compilation (P) 2011 Sony Music Entertainment. All rights reserved.
• Record Company Required Metadata: Music file metadata contains unique purchase identifier. Learn more.
• Total Length: 1:19:33
• Genres:
  • Rock
• ASIN: B005H5445U
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,795 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Queen of punk still reigns October 16, 2011

By Jaime H.

Format:Audio CD

Patti Smith is a poet. A singer. A revolutionary. An icon. Every note she sings and every word she writes is loaded with so much meaning the listener is left with the feeling that she/he must do something. Laugh, scream, cry, speak out- it doesn't matter what you do, just do it. She is an artist that incites rebellion and introspection at the same time, and every album is filled with stories of where and who she was at that time, leaving one the feeling of having just read Smith's diary in a most public way. She is the embodiment of personal as political.

That being said, Outside Society had to be a difficult undertaking for Smith. To pare down a life's work to 18 songs, and still maintain integrity, hardly seems possible in the case of such a prolific artist. She has, of course, accomplished just that-because she is Patti Smith, superwoman for who all things are possible. Although the album seems somewhat scattered and disjointed, it really is a great snapshot and showcase of her work. Outside Society could just as easily be called 'Patti Smith for Dummies,' with its chronological exploration of the most listener-friendly songs in Smith's collection. This is by no means a bad thing; it is just not for anyone already familiar with her work.

It is an album complete with the songs that started it all, such as "Gloria," and "Dancing Barefoot," as well as her most famous radio hit (on which she collaborated with Bruce Springsteen) "Because the Night." Also included in the compilation are her renditions of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," and Roger McGuinn's "So You Wanna Be a Rock Star." Although Smith is nothing but original herself, she has become recognized as an artist who honors what others' songs mean to her by covering them with the utmost respect.

Outside Society is not for the person who has followed Smith through her life's journey, or anyone who jumped on board along the way. However, it is a succinct introduction for someone who is not familiar with her work but wishes to get one's feet wet, and it is sure to lead to immersing oneself further into the world of Patti Smith. So, jump in, listen, and get caught in the wave.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Still Cool January 27, 2012

By A

Format:Audio CD

Good idea to do a single-disc best-of spanning Patti's whole career. Also tough. What to put in? Only got 80 minutes.

Two surprising omissions are title tracks: "Horses" and "Gone Again". Why they're missing when room was made for covers of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "So You Wanna Be A Rock N Roll Star" is a mystery. Those first two songs are Patti originals and better examples of her art. Check them out on their own CDs.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Patti on good vinyl November 30, 2011

By harvey

Format:Audio CD

This collection is not just for the novice seeking a glimpse of the Goddess of punk rock. I have all the original albums and bought Outside Society to have a good listening experience again since the original pressing are frankly a bit worn out. CD'are OK, but listening to vinyl brings it all back for me. The remastering is excellent and the band sounds as good as possible. But it is really all about Patti. A true gift to the world. Thanks Patti!