BLOWN TO SMITHEREENS |

The Smithereens: Pat DiNizio, Jim Babjak, Mike Mesaros, Dennis Diken.
Additional personnel: Suzanne Vega, Belinda Carlisle (vocals); Marshall Crenshaw (organ).
Recorded between October 1982 and August 1994. Includes liner notes by Brett Milano.
Liner Note Author: Brett Milano.
Recording information: American Recording (10/1982-06/1994); Capitol Studio, Hollywood, CA (10/1982-06/1994); Grey Room, Los A (10/1982-06/1994); Record Plant Studios, New York, NY (10/1982-06/1994); Rumbo Recorders (10/1982-06/1994).
Photographers: Chris Carroll ; Michael Halsband; Don Miller.
With their British Invasion style of rock, New Jersey's the Smithereens weren't exactly in step with the musical landscape of the mid- to late '80s. It didn't stop the quartet from being critical darlings and perennial candidates to break through to a wider audience. Blown to Smithereens gathers together ample evidence that the attention was more than merited. There's nary a weak moment on this collection, which includes all of the band's best-known songs and radio hits. Sequenced chronologically, Blown to Smithereens leads off with the Beatlesque Beauty & Sadness" and proceeds with gems like the moody "Blood & Roses," "In a Lonely Place" (with its Bacharach vibe), the driving "House We Used to Live In," the sweet, melodic "Blue Period," and closes with a cover of "Time Won't Let Me." Pat DiNizio's often bittersweet, romantic lyrics compliment the polished, yet gritty, power pop resulting in timeless songs like "Behind the Wall of Sleep," "Only a Memory," and "A Girl Like You." For the uninitiated, Blown to Smithereens is a perfect introduction. For fans, it isn't necessarily essential, but rather a wonderful opportunity to revisit one of the more underappreciated bands of the past two decades. ~ Tom Demalon

• Released: 1995-04-04
• Format: CD
• Genre: Rock