Worth the buy for the bonus tracks - still great years later
L. Aiello | West Coast, USA | 02/28/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Smithereens have decided to re-release "God Save the Smithereens" from 1999, as well as Pat DiNizio's "Songs and Sounds" from 1997. Both are excellent, and the latter is such a great album and didn't get a ton of press in the late 90s since it wasn't "The Smithereens" but just Pat. It became a collector's album after it was out of print for a while - not the path that it was expected to take, I'm sure.
"God Save" is also excellent, but it too faded quicker than it should have. It has been deemed (unofficially) their comeback album after 1994's "Date with" didn't do that well.
The bonus tracks in this double CD package are superb. You'll hear some songs that almost made it onto "God Save" in 1999, as well as a few alternate tracks of songs you already know. It's like having a new Smithereens record - sort of. Also some unreleased demos are included for a treat. The tracks from Pat DiNizio live in Spain are worth more than one listen. He sings Smithereens tunes on stage without the band. Apparently this is another rare album that has rarely seen the light of day, so it's nice that these songs are on this re-release. The new liner notes from Pat are worth it, too!
Die hard fans most likely already own "GSTS" and PDS&S" so it's a little bit of a downer having to buy these albums again. But just a little. Rumors of an entirely NEW album have been flying about, and it's going on 6 years since that's happened. So I'm sure I speak for many when I say that I can't wait for the day that new album comes out! This double CD is a nice treat for now."
Excellent
yet another insane teen | Illinois United States | 11/08/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Smitereens are one of the most underappreciated rock bands I have ever heard of. People just dismiss them away because they're not in their prime. Good, bluesy music. Keep up the good work."
Excellent collection for smithereens fans!!!
Concerned One | Clarinda, IA | 12/24/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the re-mastered version of God Save The Smithereens, the smithereens last all origninal studio album, packaged together with pat dinizio's first solo album "Songs and Sounds". For those of you who don't have either right now, get this, one stop shopping package. Pat's first solo album is well worth it, and with the bonus tracks, very great addtion. The bonus tracks on God Save The Smithereens I do believe justify buying another copy of this album, because the original was just that good, and the bonus tracks are excellent also. This is the second version of God Save The Smithereens I own (with the original being number one, but I actually own 3 version of Pat Dinizio's songs and sounds (original release date 1997 on velvel) which the first version had 12 tracks plus a hidden track. on this version, the hidden track is #13, and 14-19 are live tracks, or demo's of older song, good to hear in a new form. Their was one edition in-between of "song's and sounds" that has 21 tracks or so that are different than this version. Worth checking out, or buying all of these albums, but his is a great package worth the re-buying."