Gone Again - Patti Smith

Advantages: An incredibly distinctive female vocalist
Disadvantages: Some feel this album is a little over-produced

...Patti smith is a writer, poet, painter, performance artist and singer, and 'gung ho, released in 2000, is her third album since she returned from a temporary retirement. She is best remembered for her first album, 'Horses', which was released in 1975 and gave her a prominent position as a founder of punk, and has influenced many other performers. (Including my favourite band R.E.M.) Although her first album was released under the name of the Patti Smith Group, 'gung ho' is released under Patti's name only, but reunites many of the performers who helped make 'Horses' such a seminal work. It's probably best to mention something before I go any further. I only own two Patti Smith albums - 'Horses' and 'Gung Ho', so this album is going to be reviewed as an album in its own right, and not a comparison with any of her earlier work. Many... Read review

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Advantages: Too few to mention
Disadvantages: Overlong, Arty, Precious

...was bitterly disappointed with "Horses." I’ve listened to it maybe five times in full now, which is ample time for it to have grown on me. Personally I fail to see why it is heralded as being an all-time great. Musically it isn’t groundbreaking, lyrically it is often arty and self-serving. The album creates no real tension or atmosphere and fails to capitalise on the odd decent moment (normally a section within a track rather than a track in full). "Horses" sits firmly on the borderline between preciousness and smug. Patti’s backing band are unimpressive in the main and John Cale isn’t able to paper over the worryingly large cracks. All in all this is one to miss, but then again I’ve got to acknowledge that many critically acclaimed songwriters and musicians love this album, so it must be an all or nothing experience. To my mind Patti Smith’s... Read review

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Advantages: see review
Disadvantages: see review

...Patti Smith has been called the high priestess of Punk. I'm not sure how useful these labels can be but she was part of the early 70's New York Punk scene and she has always displayed what later would be identified as the punk ethos in her music. After years earning a living as a music critic, playwright, songwriter, poet and actress She joined forces with guitarist and friend Lenny Kaye, Richard Sohl and Tom Verlaine to record a single 'Hey Joe' an adaptation of the old Jimi Hendrix hit. This is by many considered to be the first Punk Indie single. With the departure of Tom Verlaine they were joined by lead guitarist and Czech exile Ivan Kral, the group followed the single by recording an album 'Horses' in 1976. THE ALBUM (Track Listing) 1. Gloria 2. Redondo Beach 3. Birdland 4. Free Money 5. Kimberly 6. Break It Up... Read review

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