"Only A Memory" does repeat its title, I believe, approximately 317 times in 3 minutes and 42 seconds, and there are other similar offenders on this LP. If only The 'reeens had remembered that all those 1960s bands that influenced them kept the song lengths down to 2:45 or so. "Only A Memory", "House We Used To Live In" and "The World We Know" all seem to have 2:45 worth of lyrics and hooks, but 1980s marketing sensibilities forced these songs to come in at around 4 minutes or so.
Still, I like the album. But one day I'll get around to digitally ripping it and programming a much earlier fade for two or three tracks...
mojo
· 1 year ago
You've hit a nerve. Smithereens rule my musical universe like ABC and Jimmy Smith. I can't agree with everything you say here but as a 22-year diehard fan of the band and fan-club trivia contest winner....even I could not turn my head and look at the Styx-ian Beatles cover record.
mojo
· 1 year ago
does giles now have to put in my popdose bio that I once won a band-signed smithereens photo in a fan club contest? I mean, that's a juicy admission. Kind of.
Old_Davy
· 1 year ago
OK, so the Smithereens have a certain...um..."style"...that makes their songs sound very similar, and Pat DiNizio may be a little lazy in the lyrics department and start repeating himself a lot, but I still put them on the ol' CD player quite often. This album, along with "Especially For You" and "11" are power pop classics.
And who listens to power pop for the lyrics, anyway??
Old_Davy
· 1 year ago
Oh, I forgot. I have to give them credit. When I saw them in concert, they introduced me to Richard X. Heyman, who opened for them. Talk about classic power pop!!
RIch
· 1 year ago
"11" is the ultimate car-washing album. Always has been, always will be, for me. And they're the band I've seen live the most number of times.... because they opened for damn near every concert I went to between age 17 and 21. I can see how they're not critic's darlings, but my subjective universe has always featured them pretty heavily.
1Py_Korry1
· 1 year ago
I love power pop, too. However, I could never really warm up to the Smithereens.
CClifford
· 1 year ago
A little harsh there. So, I guess what you're saying is that they didn't/don't produce perfect albums. I would take that as a compliment, if I were them. It's hard enough to produce a "good" song in the eyes of many, much less "hits" ,and beyond that "perfect albums". I treat The Smithereens as a, love them or hate them, type of band. My opinion is that if you are on the fence go to a live show and see if your opinion sways either way. This is also, the only band that I have ever seen take the time to meet with their audience and hang out to the degree that they do. All in all, a great bunch of guys. The recent addition of Servero "Thrilla" Jornacion on bass is no exception. If you want a broader sampling of their works, look up "Buzzed Meg" or Pat Dinizio's solo works, particularly his self-title album, Pat Dinizio/Pat Dinizio. No, this is not an assault on your opinion. Music is personal taste and I just recommend looking a little deeper at them, as a band or as artisits. C-
All Comments
Still, I like the album. But one day I'll get around to digitally ripping it and programming a much earlier fade for two or three tracks...
And who listens to power pop for the lyrics, anyway??
So, I guess what you're saying is that they didn't/don't produce perfect albums. I would take that as a compliment, if I were them. It's hard enough to produce a "good" song in the eyes of many, much less "hits" ,and beyond that "perfect albums".
I treat The Smithereens as a, love them or hate them, type of band. My opinion is that if you are on the fence go to a live show and see if your opinion sways either way.
This is also, the only band that I have ever seen take the time to meet with their audience and hang out to the degree that they do.
All in all, a great bunch of guys. The recent addition of Servero "Thrilla" Jornacion on bass is no exception.
If you want a broader sampling of their works, look up "Buzzed Meg" or Pat Dinizio's solo works, particularly his self-title album, Pat Dinizio/Pat Dinizio.
No, this is not an assault on your opinion. Music is personal taste and I just recommend looking a little deeper at them, as a band or as artisits.
C-