The Smithereens have never been a band geared towards Top 40 Radio; a couple of their singles have managed to creep in there, and they've never quite been able to capture the fancy of alternative or rock radio programmers. However, their irresistible manner of combining sounds from the top rock bands of the 1960's, and bringing that music forward to today, has garnered a tremendous loyalty from their fans. The chapter on their Capitol Records run is sealed with this compilation release, Attack of the Smithereens - Rarities.
The development of the band is well chronicled here, from their first gig in 1980 ("Girl Don't Tell Me") to demos and alternate versions of their biggest hits, such as "Blood and Roses" and "A Girl Like You". Want new wave? There's "Girls About Town", from their first EP, sounding like a mix of Joe Jackson meets the mod scene. And, if you're longing for the Andrews Sisters, there's even a 20 second snippet from the 1945 Smith (Mass.) College Women's Choir, "Here Come The Smithereens".
Initial Smithereens comparisons were to 1960's bands such as the Beatles and Who; early performances of theirs could see interspersing of future B-sides such as "One After 909", "The Seeker", and even Ringo's "It Don't Come Easy". Although the band espouses the latter cover, it stands out as one of their best rarities, and this writer thinks it even surpasses Mr. Starkey's #1 hit. In the lengthy liner notes, primarily written by Pat DiNizio, they say "it doesn't sound half-bad" - they're being falsely modest.
This collection is truly for the fans - but given the Smithereens history of giving their fans what they want, that's not surprising. Anyone who owns a copy of Especially For You or 11 shouldn't pass over this treasure chest of buried gems.
TRACK LISTING: Here Come The Smithereens; Girl Don't Tell Me; Girls About Town; Time & Time Again (Demo); Don't Be Cruel; Hang Ten High; Tracey's World (In Store); Blood & Roses (Original Demo and Demo); Just A Little; The Seeker; Yesterday Girl (Demo); Poor Little Pitiful One; Maria Elena (Acoustic); You Really Got Me; One After 909; World Keeps Going 'Round; Behind The Wall of Sleep (Live); Something Stupid; Shakin' All Over; Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer; Ruler of My Heart; It Don't Come Easy; Lust for Life; Like Someone In Love; A Girl Like You (Strip Club Version)
