Dude, NOW we're talking! Loved this band from the start - and how could you not with this debut? All killer, no filler, as they say. I feel bad for those who lumped them in with the '80s "alternative/college rock" and denied themselves from discovering this classic rock and roll album. Similar thing happened to another NJ band, Dramarama - both bands are just straight up rock and roll bands with great tunes. Pat autographed my "Esp For You" LP after a show one night. He said something during the show that I'd not thought of before - he was introducing a song as "another sad Smithereens song . . . because isn't every Smithereens song a sad song?". And he's right - whether uptempo or ballad, most Smithereens songs truly are about sad subjects! Wanting the girl you can't have, being in a bad relationship, losing someone you love, remembering a past love affair. I hope this is only the first of a series of Smithereens deep dives! Great job!
Thanks! There really are no happy Smithereens songs. 😂 I heard Pat say in an interview once how “I’m a Loser” by The Beatles was much more to his taste than “She Loves You” or “I Want To Hold Your Hand.” I would love to do future Smithereens videos. Stay tuned!
I cannot think of this album without being reminded of a blurb that ran in TV guide for a Smithereens concert that was on MTV, and, listed among the songs they'd be performing, were "Bread and Roses" and "Behind The Wall Asleep". I kid you not!
This was the first album that benefited from small label Enigma entering a distribution deal with Capitol in 1986. Capitol had first rights to any Enigma release & wisely picked up this. Nice Production by Don Dixon who had engineered the early REM albums. Slowly but surely it became a hit & is certified platinum. I saw the tour where they headlined the Universal Amphitheater an excellent venue in Los Angeles.
I’m so glad you chose to do a DD on the Smithereens! What a great idea. I loved this band and, swear to God, have recently thought how I haven’t listened to them in forever. I will now. Blood and Roses is one of the most badass songs. I was trying to figure out in that one b&w clip you had of the couple smoking in the apartment if the woman was Yvonne Craig. Awesome video!
Jeff , this is a fantastic album and band ,,and their deep cuts are as good as the singles on nearly every album I always flip flop between this and Green Thoughts as my favorite ,,I have to honestly put Green Thoughts on top. man if you were to do a deep dive on Green thoughts (,,,and might as well do 11 as well) I will double subscribe,,no ,,triple subscribe ! ,,promise
I have been a fan of their's since this debut full length. I always thought these three have similar sounding voices - Pat Dinizio, Evan Dando from Lemonheads and Mark Eitzel of American Music Club. All of the Smithereens albums have incredible power pop in them. It was sad to hear Pat tragically died. Marshall Crenshaw is not a good replacement.
Awesome 🤘 🤘🤘🤘🤘
I have not heard this album In decades
Crazy mixed up kid is so good
Dude, NOW we're talking! Loved this band from the start - and how could you not with this debut? All killer, no filler, as they say. I feel bad for those who lumped them in with the '80s "alternative/college rock" and denied themselves from discovering this classic rock and roll album. Similar thing happened to another NJ band, Dramarama - both bands are just straight up rock and roll bands with great tunes.
Pat autographed my "Esp For You" LP after a show one night. He said something during the show that I'd not thought of before - he was introducing a song as "another sad Smithereens song . . . because isn't every Smithereens song a sad song?". And he's right - whether uptempo or ballad, most Smithereens songs truly are about sad subjects! Wanting the girl you can't have, being in a bad relationship, losing someone you love, remembering a past love affair.
I hope this is only the first of a series of Smithereens deep dives! Great job!
Thanks! There really are no happy Smithereens songs. 😂 I heard Pat say in an interview once how “I’m a Loser” by The Beatles was much more to his taste than “She Loves You” or “I Want To Hold Your Hand.” I would love to do future Smithereens videos. Stay tuned!
Omg I love this album! Thanks Jeff! Awesome 😎
Glad you like it too Brian!
Nice. Love the Smithereens!
I cannot think of this album without being reminded of a blurb that ran in TV guide for a Smithereens concert that was on MTV, and, listed among the songs they'd be performing, were "Bread and Roses" and "Behind The Wall Asleep". I kid you not!
Bread and Roses? 😂🤣
Hahaa TV Guide in the 80s listed an appearance of Billy Vera and the Beaters on some show but goofed and wrote Billy Vera and the Beatles.
@@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486 I keep thinking of the poor guy trying to get some sleep on the other side of the wall.
This was the first album that benefited from small label Enigma entering a distribution deal with Capitol in 1986. Capitol had first rights to any Enigma release & wisely picked up this. Nice Production by Don Dixon who had engineered the early REM albums. Slowly but surely it became a hit
& is certified platinum. I saw the tour where they headlined the Universal Amphitheater an excellent venue in Los Angeles.
Don Dixon is one of my favorite producers. I would love to have seen them on that tour. 🤟🏻🤟🏻
I’m so glad you chose to do a DD on the Smithereens! What a great idea. I loved this band and, swear to God, have recently thought how I haven’t listened to them in forever. I will now. Blood and Roses is one of the most badass songs. I was trying to figure out in that one b&w clip you had of the couple smoking in the apartment if the woman was Yvonne Craig. Awesome video!
Thanks Gary! It had been such a long time since I had listened to this album I forgot how great it sounded. Blood and Roses iIS badass!
Jeff , this is a fantastic album and band ,,and their deep cuts are as good as the singles on nearly every album
I always flip flop between this and Green Thoughts as my favorite ,,I have to honestly put Green Thoughts on top.
man if you were to do a deep dive on Green thoughts (,,,and might as well do 11 as well) I will double subscribe,,no ,,triple subscribe ! ,,promise
Green Thoughts is also a great album. Hard for me to pick between the two!
I have been a fan of their's since this debut full length. I always thought these three have similar sounding voices - Pat Dinizio, Evan Dando from Lemonheads and Mark Eitzel of American Music Club.
All of the Smithereens albums have incredible power pop in them. It was sad to hear Pat tragically died. Marshall Crenshaw is not a good replacement.
I agree. The Smithereens are not the same without Pat.
Hi Jeff! Great video. I knew a little of the Smithereens and liked their songs, but didn't know this album. Nice job!
Thanks John! They kind of lost their way in the early 90’s and never quite recaptured the magic of their this album.