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The Smithereens - Blow Up Audio CD

A fair review of the The Smithereens "Blow Up" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all The Smithereens reviews here, or go back to the The Smithereens tabs.

The Smithereens Band: The Smithereens
Title: Blow Up
Rating:
Release Date: 1991-09-10
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Top of the Pops 2: Too Much Passion 3: Tell Me When Did Things Go So Wrong 4: Evening Dress 5: Get a Hold of My Heart 6: Indigo Blues 7: Now and Then 8: Girl in Room 12 9: Anywhere You Are 10: Over and Over Again 11: It's Alright 12: If You Want the Sun to Shine

A Well Produced Rock'n Roll Album
The songs are well written and sung. I have always enjoyed this album, and I've had it since 1991. The musicians really do have talent.

Every song, as you might have heard, is very good. The sound is really well done. You'll really appreciate it in an automobile with a great sound system. It's just a classic rock'n roll album that most people will enjoy, and I'm sure their peers will agree. I don't think they're a well known band, which is unfortunate. I hope I'll get to see them live in a small venue here in the Bay Area. I noticed the used price for the CD is a penny. . . not a bad price, since it's well worth the retail price.


Best Smithereens Album
The upbeat track rocks, the slow songs don't stumble. As a long time Smithereens fan, Blow up represents the best they've ever recorded. The only flaw maybe that the splendid production and mixing of the tracks has dulled the gritty rock n'roll edge the band is best known for.


A Close Decision
It's not a bad effort, and does have some interesting tracks, (like "Tell Me When Did Things Go So Wrong" and "Indigo Blues") . I listened to it twice in the used music store, but decided not to buy. . . but overall the album feels poppier than other Smithereens albums, and it didn't speak to me.

It's respectable addition though, if you just want your collection to be complete.


Gorgeous Power Pop
"Evening Dress" is a perfect wedding song, while "Anywhere You Are" and "Over And Over Again" are for those long nights spent thinking about the one that got away. This is an album for anyone who's been madly in love, gone through a painful breakup, or loved someone from afar. The lead single and opening track "Top Of The Pops" is probably the weakest song on the album -- it's a slow-tempo rehashing of the heavy-riffing guitar sound that worked so well on "A Girl Like You" -- but the second single "Too Much Passion" captures more of the flavor of what's to come. There are a few rocking songs on the album, like the potent blast of "Tell Me When Did Things Go So Wrong" and "Girl In Room 12", but this album is primarily for lovers of bittersweet jangly power pop like R. E. M. , Big Star, and the like.


Alright For Fans, But
This album is a case in point. The Smithereens are not a great band; it's not that they are bad; they just aren't great. `Indigo Blues' is quite infectious and fun, but the rest of the album is formulaic and uninspiring. It seems likely that real fans of the band will enjoy it but casual fans would be better served by a comp.


You can see a complete list of all The Smithereens discography, or go back to the The Smithereens tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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