Albums That Suck Green Thoughts and other Gems 1986
Green Thoughts and other Gems 1986
Thursday, 09 April 2009 07:28 | 
Author: The Grouch | 
I first head of the Smithereens in college. Somewhere along I-80 I picked up a radio station that was playing the song Blood and Roses from the LP Especially for You. This song rocks. The Bass line is cool. The funky R&B walking bass line combined with what sounds like a Stratocaster kicking out a killer two sting scream just blew me away. I had to find out who these guys were.
The next song of theirs I heard was Behind The Wall of Sleep from the same LP. These guys were two for two. Behind The Wall of Sleep has a hypnotic groove with an oddly melodic guitar line that leads into another kick ass solo. The drums pound away while the singer sings about some chick who plays bass and stands just like Bill Wyman. (If you don't know Wyman played bass in the Rolling Stones before they hired that black guy who is never allowed to be in photos of the band.)
Both of these songs are quite good. I thought this is a hard rocking band with a nod to old school guitar solos and a drummer who can pound - all good things. These two songs are the best on the Especially For You LP - 5 out of 5 scowls for Blood and Roses / Behind The Wall of Sleep.
Green Thoughts came out in 1988 and received decent airplay on MTV. I like some of the tracks on this album although it isn't really the same music that I first heard from the Smithereens. Green Thoughts has an "Alternative" feel to it - I mean that in the worst way possible.
The music is actually pretty good and some of the songs rock. What is not good is the singer's incessant whining and wussy emotional filled blabbering. It makes me want to smack him and say take off your sister's make up and clothes and SHUT UP.
Here is a run down of the songs on the album.
1. Only a Memory - I like the feedback at the beginning. The song is good. Nice guitar work and the drums are right on. A very good song. Then I listen to the lyrics; at first play I thought OK - he is bummed about losing a girl. Yeah yeah - the nice guitar solo brings the song back while he goes on and on and on about how much he cries, he is too weak to live. I'm starting to think this is getting on my nerves.
2. House We Used to Live In - this song got the most MTV airplay. Again I like the music. Nothing complicated here - straight forward rock and roll. The guitar, bass and drums sound good. The dude playing lead rips it up in a couple of places - nice work. Once again the singer is getting on my nerves. Waaa the house we used to live in - cry me a F-ing river - I'm so sad. Boo Hoo Once again the music saves the day. I'm starting to think that guy shouldn't be allowed to write the lyrics.
3. Something New - it only gets worse. This jag off drones incessantly about how his girlfriend needs something new - I wonder who. News dude: she got sick of your emo bullshit. Even the music doesn't save this one. SKIP
4. The World We Know - thank god the music is good. The song is actually really good. I like the guitar and his use of chords mixed with little riffs that lead into a jamming rant of a solo. All this backed by some really solid drums and a good bass line make the song a winner. One Two Thump Thump Riff Thump - very nice. Again the singer gets in the way bitching about a broken heart and the time to go blah blah blah.
5. Especially For You - this song sucks. More inane whinny crap from the singer coupled with what seems to be the band finally giving in and playing crap mood music as if they were a Jazz band backing up Barry Manilow.
6. Drown in My Own Tears - good music. Heavy guitar intro. I dig it. Once again the band rocks while the singer stinks. More poor me crap. This guy must have been metrosexual before it was cool. By this time I am really starting to get annoyed - so much senseless emotion wallowing in an ocean of self pity.
7. Deep Black - by this time you know the drill. The band is right on. The music is interesting and has some nice guitar licks backed by interesting fills from the drummer. The singer? More of the same self indulgent narcissistic sludge.
8. Elaine - I am really getting bored now. Music: good. Lyrics: Crap This time we learn that the woman who has him so whipped goes by the name Elaine. Instead of Elaine this could be called Lame.
9. Spellbound - Good music - interesting guitar and nice rhythm section work. He is still wallowing in an emotional pigsty of his own making. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Waaaaaaaaaaaaaa Spellbound
10. If The Sun Doesn't Shine - Nice music. I actually like this song. The singer is once again on an emo rampage, but at least this is a happy rant as opposed to endless droning filled with "Whoa is ME bullshit."
11. Green Thoughts - The music is good. I like the beat and guitar work. Nice breaks. It's a good song despite the neurotic rambling of the self absorbed singer. The music is good.
I saw the Smithereens in 1988 in SLC. The ticket cost $10.00 and they put on a great show. Actually they blew the roof off. I think they played every song they knew. The raging two string licks saved even the lamest of the numerous vocally impaired numbers. They played covers by the Who and believe it or not Black Sabbath. It was an excellent show.
If you wonder why the Smithereens fizzled out and didn't do much after Green Thoughts two words: Pat DiNizio
2 out of 5 scowls