Gung Ho

Patti Smith

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 21, 2000)
• Original Release Date: March 21, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B00004RCYB
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #75,267 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Patti Smith's fourth album since her 1988 comeback vehicle Dream of Life finds the plugged-in poetess looking outward after the extended period of introspection that followed the death of her husband, Fred "Sonic" Smith. The scathing eight-minute-plus "Strange Messengers" illustrates Smith's renewed interest in the world around her, as the streetwise New Yorker turned Midwestern suburbanite rails at crackheads ("That's how you repay your ancestors?"). Working with producer Gil Norton (Foo Fighters, Pixies) and fronting a quartet built around longtime lieutenants Lenny Kaye and Jay Dee Daugherty, Smith's music harkens back to the commercial apex of New Wave; indeed, "Gone Pie" sounds like the singer sitting in with Blondie. In fact, Gung Ho as a whole feels like the album the high-priestess of punk didn't make in the early '80s, a time when she was laying low and a number of artists inspired by her visionary early works were racking up MTV and modern-rock airtime. Gung Ho is somewhat muddled in execution, but then again, so are the times. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Her best album since Easter, March 22, 2000

By A Customer

I love Patti Smith. Her four pre-marriage and retirement albums are mainstays of my listening. I liked parts of all of the "return" albums, but each liked the anthemic qualities of the songs on the early ones. No problem with that on Gung Ho, however. The guitar work is equal to those 70s albums and Patti's singing has never been better, expressive and powerful. Some of the songs are weak, and the two lengthy rants can get on your nerves. This time, however, the music carries the songs that drag and the first seven cuts don't have a weak moment. Rolling Stone thought it was one of the best albums of 2000, and, along with Shelby Lynne, the Mekons, and Yo La Tengo's new releases it seems that Gung Ho predicts a good music year in 2000.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rock and Roll with Heart, April 13, 2000

By A Customer

An early "Horses" lover and "Easter" fan, I have always been more drawn to the Patti Smith Group for the music than thematic content. This album, more so than any others since, and certainly in contrast with "Dream of Life," returns to the more aggressive musicality of those first recordings. This is an album to be turned up loud and enjoyed for its visceral qualities, in addition to Patti's poetic creativity. Particular highlights are "One Voice," with an original combination of Patti finding religion and Jay Dee Dougherty coming to the fore as percussionist and musician. He is a big part of what makes this album fun. "Glitter in Their Eyes" rocks and would stand out on a "Best of Blue Oyster Cult" album - with Patti lashing out at commercialism and guest Tom Verlaine contributing cooking lead guitar lines. These two songs represent the group's best shots in a decade at the alternative charts, and are much more original than "Because the Night." "Persuasion" comes close behind, with Patti sampling a different vocal style. "China Bird" is appealing in its simplicity. "Lo and Beholden" is a classic Lenny Kaye collaboration, very appealing but somehow derivative of earlier work. Kaye's creativity on this CD seems faded in comparison to earlier works -- maybe I am overlooking his contributions. "Boy Cried Wolf" needs a melody, although it is likeable nonetheless, and "Gone Pie" is similarly listenable but too formulaic to be first tier. "Upright Come" and "New Party" are hard rocks lacking musicality; they merit sampling and then fast-forwarding. "Strange Messenger," "Grateful," and "Gung Ho" are classic artistic Patti Smith -- heartfelt, exploratory, definantly non-commercial, but lesser musically than the others. "Libbie's Song" is a tribute to Old-Time folk. The faithful will find these compelling.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best rock album of 2000 so far, April 6, 2000

By	"matthew76" (PA) - See all my reviews

I can't believe I saw a 2 star review here for this album. It's immensely wise in lyrics, and while more polished than previous albums, it's a diverse collection that doesn't just rely on hooks. When the hooks are there, as on the songs "One Voice," "Pursuasion" and "Glitter in Your Eyes," they definitely stick with you. But she also puts in the chugging along "Boy Cried Wolf," the beautiful bluegrass type song "Libbie's Song," and even some funk with "New Party." There's also the great rock and roll of "Gone Pie," with the memorable joyous-sounding chorus. Although "Gung Ho," and "Strange Messengers" are long songs, Patti's voice sings them with such conviction that they won't grow tired.