Friday, July 30, 2010

The Smithereens - 11


Hi-Ho Blogger! The Rare Stuff rides again! To kick things back off in style, here's an album it's unreasonably hard to find online -- the third long-player from Hoboken's favorite sons, The Smithereens. It's called 11 because the band hired producer Ed Stasium to beef up their sound, which prior to that had been a bit indie-flimsy. As the liner notes say, a la Spinal Tap, "this one goes to eleven..."

This is, without a doubt, my favorite Smithereens album. Though they most certainly rock, the heavier first two numbers, which most show Stasium's influence, are not my favorite tracks of the bunch. But once the lovely, baroque strings of "Blue Period" kick in, I'm along for the ride. Pat DiNizio's and Belinda Carlisle's harmonies on that number are also exquisite. "Baby Be Good" and "Yesterday's Girl" are sweet, smart pop songs, and "Room Without a View" has the undercurrent of tension of classic, earlier Smithereens cuts like "Blood and Roses" and "Behind the Wall of Sleep". "Cut Flowers" is an adventurously structured and arranged short story in song. Speaking of short stories, "William Wilson" takes its name and paranoid atmosphere from the Poe tale of the same name. The thoroughly delightful "Maria Elena", meanwhile takes its name from Buddy Holly's widow. Closer "Kiss Your Tears Away" is an heart-tugging romantic ballad. The whole thing clocks in at an economical 34 minutes, just like the perfect '60s pop album.

The Smithereens' catalog is long overdue for a rehaul. If and when this fine collection is reissued, you'll wanna dump these tracks and upgrade. Meanwhile, though, this late-'80s power-pop high point deserves to be heard.

UPDATE 12/27/10: Link removed due to new information that this album is available for purchase at the Amazon MP3 Store, HERE.
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17 comments:

  1. ReggieJuly 30, 2010 at 12:39 PM

    You're right, it IS hard to find. Thank you. Any chance you have "Blow Up?"

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  2. alexgpJuly 30, 2010 at 1:56 PM

    A superb album , featuring my favourite Smithereens song "Maria Elena" . If you get the chance you should check out Pat DiNizio's solo stuff where he revisits some of the old stuff and does it in a new way ( including a top version of Blue Period )

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  3. Sal NunziatoJuly 31, 2010 at 5:43 AM

    Hsere's something I wrote about "11" a little over 2 years ago.
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sal-nunziato/the-smithereens-11-a-perf_b_114035.html

    Indeed, a killer record!

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  4. TroyJuly 31, 2010 at 2:35 PM

    I bought this CD when it first came out, and have loved it ever since. Didn't realize it was so hard to find. Thanks for helping out those who didn't have it!

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  5. AnonymousJuly 31, 2010 at 8:11 PM

    No idea, was investigate about Cobain.
    Sounds like uninspired pop. If you do not knew - like me (sry, not bad english, not native ;o) dont download it. Sounds like 1000 boring Popgroups.

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  6. The PopCulturistAugust 1, 2010 at 2:10 AM

    Sal - I remember that piece! At the time it inspired me to look for it online, but I couldn't find it. Hence, finally, this post. So I guess it comes full circle with you mentioning the article in the comments! I just finally acquired the CD (again, hence this post). All these years, I only had it on -- gasp -- cassette!

    Oh, and Troy, the CD itself isn't hard to find, it can be had for a penny! It's hard to find as a download online.

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  7. Anything Should HappenAugust 2, 2010 at 3:11 AM

    Great blog and great to see Sal here too.

    I yearn to get the 21cd thing but I'm not paying the silly prices, chancers are asking for.

    Let down twice on it as I ordered it, just as it was pulled.

    Great to see you giving The Smithereens kudos.

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  8. Puffin RandyAugust 2, 2010 at 8:26 PM

    I've been a fan of them for a long time. I purchased this when it first came out on disc lo those many years ago. I'm not sure why they caught my attention, but they did and I've been enjoying their music ever since. Thanks for sharing this with others PC... it is one that should be heard. I can't for the life of me, figure why Anonymous above says it sounds like 1000 boring Popgroups. His loss.

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  9. Gene ObertoAugust 3, 2010 at 5:53 AM

    So here we are, celebrating this perfect little release that still stands up after umteen listens from Hoboken's Next Best Export.

    As this was released in 1989, with the homage to Hoboken's Best Export's throwaway film "Ocean's 11" on the cover, I've always wondered if Soderbergh was listening to this one night and got up and called George and Brad and said, "I got an idea. What do you think about doing an update of..."

    Thanks for the gift that is playing on the MacBook right now.

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  10. BBKronAugust 3, 2010 at 9:27 AM

    Thanks PopC, Love the Smithereens, had their early albums on vinyl, 11 was probably the first I originally got on CD. Good stuff, but I have to say I still prefer their 1st (full-length) album, 'Especially For You'. I think that was their best. That and 'Green Thoughts'. I guess I like the Don Dixon production and overall sound better. They were edgier, more vibrant, and less polished. Thanks

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  11. The PopCulturistAugust 4, 2010 at 1:38 AM

    Thanks for all the great responses, folks. Gene, I love the Soderbergh-inspiration theory! BB, that's a totally legit opinion, many do prefer the first two albums.

    @Reggie, first comment, I do have Blow Up. I think it's a bit of a step down from this, so wasn't thinking of posting it, but given the response to this I just might.

    anything -- I see your blog is invite-only, I'd love to check it out if you'd allow!

    ReplyDelete
  12. evanAugust 4, 2010 at 4:00 AM

    One of the best albums of its time.

    Love your site! Let em know if you want to trade links.

    Ekko

    http://www.berkeleyplaceblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. drfeelgoedAugust 4, 2010 at 4:21 PM

    Nice album, I first bought it on cassette, later on CD, although must admit that I haven't played it in a long time.
    If anyone is interested I've got several other Smithereens albums, just let me know.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anything Should HappenAugust 6, 2010 at 5:31 PM

    No probs on blog - just let me know how I can email you an invite or if you are in touch with Sal, he's got my email address.

    ReplyDelete
  15. docmoondogSeptember 7, 2010 at 9:12 PM

    This is rare? Damn, I'm old. I bought this at an actual shopping mall store when it was released...

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  16. The PopCulturistOctober 7, 2010 at 3:30 PM

    Rare online, doc, not on CD! I myself bought it in my college bookstore, on cassette! (Or was it Tower Records on Sunset?)

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  17. UnknownDecember 25, 2010 at 6:26 PM

    Hello, found this post via other blogs. This is indeed a great album and great band. I happened to see them live on this tour and it was a killer show. I believe the 'solo' on Blue Period live was played by Mike on bass. We met the band (sans Pat) after the show and they were very nice, very down to earth.

    By the way, 11 can be purchased from Amazon's MP3 store: http://www.amazon.com/Smithereens-11/dp/B000UFRQMA/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293329898&sr=301-1.

    2 rare Smithereens I would love to see:

    -a live EP put out by an indie label before Green Thoughts. It included some killer live versions of Blood and Roses, and Behind the Wall of Sleep, along with a great cover of The Who's The Seeker.

    -their performance on Saturday Night Live of A Girl Like You and Blues Before and After (the latter featuring some killer guitar solo work from Pat).

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete

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