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"Love" The "Wonderful" New "P.D." CD

TAS | 09/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Here comes that rainy day feeling again," proclaims The Smithereens' lead singer/songwriter Pat DiNizio in his wah-wah wailing guitar song "Don't Look Now". This is just one of ten outstanding new tunes on his latest and perhaps greatest "self-titled" solo masterwork. And while a feeling of melancholy may pervade many songs on this album in trademark DiNizio fashion, there is real joy to be had in this superb collection for anyone who loves a healthy serving of crunchy rock fiber from the godfather of soulful power pop. If Bowie and Bolan were the masters of "glam rock", then DiNizio is still the undisputed king of "glum rock" and a master craftsman in the lost art of molding three minute rock classics that contain catchy hooks and unforgettable melodies.



Cases in point are such finely honed gems as the atmospherically haunting album opener "Since You Went Away" that ebbs and flows like the pain from an exposed raw nerve (with an appropriately seething slide guitar solo included), the crunching "air guitar" anthems "Wonderful" and "Dear World" (with Pat's rallying cry of "More guitar!" midway through), the endearing "Love" song with its acoustic guitar and "mellow mellotron" mood enhancement, the aforementioned tastefully Cream-y "Don't Look Now", beaty "I Need You" (another pop blast from this "school of rock" professor) and the big and bouncy "You Said". Also highly recommended for pop/rock aficionados are the quirky and quasi-psychedelic "Sometimes" and the anxiety tale for lovelorn insomniacs called "Night Without Sleep" plus the hook-laden "Any Other Way" with its pop rock meets bossa nova beat.



Pat's still active band, The Smithereens, have even been playing "Any Other Way" recently during their live performances. The live version of this song, with its sing-along chorus, has been greeted with an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response by concert audiences. In fact, this CD is a mini Smither-THREE-ns studio reunion of sorts since Pat, Smithereens lead guitarist Jim Babjak and current Smithereens bassist Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion are the "house band" on this album with "House of Vibes" studio wunderkind/producer Kurt Reil of "The Grip Weeds" sitting-in on drums.



Pat DiNizio's new album is a mature work with the kind of smart songwriting, emotional depth and "soul baring music" sung from the heart that is in seemingly short supply these days. Just like the best Smithereens albums, it transcends both time and place to serve as "food for thought" and is a musical feast in an otherwise malnourished music industry. But, hey, it's got a good beat and you can even air guitar to it too. So "God save this Smithereen" singer/songwriter/guitarist who thankfully reinforces the notion that quality rock `n' roll will never die just as long as there are great albums like this one and tried-and-true rockers like Pat DiNizio out there to help remind us.

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Dinizio: Never disappoints

E N in Ohio | canton, oh | 10/06/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a fan of Pat Dinizio and the Smithereens since thier first album dropped in 1986. At that time I was immersed in college radio as a deejay. What drew me (and still does) to the band, and Pat's songwriting, is the dynamics of the music: dark, downtrodden lyrics of love lost and hopes dashed, set to driving, chiming guitars playing hooks big enough to hang a hat on.

This set draws upon those characteristics, but concentrates more on the lyrical content. The hooks are there, but the stark, simple, clean production lets the moodiness of the songs envelope the listener. Pat has written punchier, more driving music, but this collection of simple, mostly mid-tempo rock, delivers. A simple, lean, no-nonsense slice of Dinizio's songwriting abilities."

A Rockin' Record for the Ageless!!

Lee Tannenbaum | NY, USA | 09/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It can't be easy for an artist like Pat DiNizio to make a solo record. His body of work done with The Smithereens set the gold standard for American rock bands of the late 80's and early 90's. So how to create a disc that recalls past glories without sounding like it's stuck in the past?



Relax, my friends, because PD has done it! Stripped of the happy bombast of The Smithereens Pat creates a CD that lets his lyrics and voice shine. From the opening chords of "Since You Went Away," you are drawn into the web of Pat's world. It's like you are being let in on his deepest thoughts. The voice has never been better. You know how he feels, you've been there or know someone who has.



It's all GOOD! Pat evokes echoes of Buddy Holly on "I Need You," and memories of the past reverberate through "Any Other Way." Sounding most like The Smithereens are "Wonderful" and "Don't Look Now" where the rhythm section pounds away but somehow makes 20 years seem like a blink of an eye away.



Call me a sentimental fool, but my favorite song on the CD is "Love." If I could just get my wife to listen ...



Pat gets great help from long time Smithereens cohort Jim Babjak, whose guitar playing is truly timeless. The Thrilla on bass (also from The Smithereens) and drummer and producer Kurt Reil round out this great foursome. Pat has made a CD for the people who mean the most to him ... his fans. Thanks, Pat!"