The Smithereens
A Date with the Smithereens

RCA    66391-2  (1994)

Rock/Pop
CD, 12   Tracks, 48:28  Length
01 War for My Mind Pat DiNizio 04:07
02 Everything I Have Is Blue Pat DiNizio 04:27
03 Miles from Nowhere Pat DiNizio 04:18
04 Afternoon Tea Pat DiNizio 03:54
05 Point of No Return Jim Babjak 04:06
06 Sleep The Night Away Pat DiNizio 04:17
07 Love Is Gone Jim Babjak 03:41
08 Long Way Back Again Pat DiNizio 04:06
09 Gotti Pat DiNizio 04:51
10 Sick of Seatle Pat DiNizio 03:03
11 Can't Go Home Anymore Pat DiNizio 04:11
12 Life Is So Beautiful Pat DiNizio 03:27
Music Details
Product Details
Packaging Jewel Case
Spars DDD
Sound Stereo
Musicians  &  Credits
Vocals Pat DiNizio
Drums Dennis Diken
Guitar Jim Babjak
Bass Mike Mesaros
Musician The Smithereens
Producer Don Dixon; The Smithereens
Engineer Lou Giordano
Personal Details
Index # 3134
Owner Dave
Tags Alternative Rock, Pop Rock, Power Pop
User Defined
Purchased New
Notes
The Smithereens released Blow Up, their bid for crossover radio play, in September 1991, just two weeks before Nevermind appeared in stores. Once grunge broke through, the Smithereens were effectively edged out of the college radio market, and it wasn't long before mainstream radio turned their back as well. There was no place to go except back to their roots. Again hiring Don Dixon as producer, the Smithereens made A Date with the Smithereens -- a classic Smithereens album in the vein of Especially for You but with the sound of 11. The problem is, Pat DiNizio hit a songwriting dry spell, and the group simply sounds worn out. "Sick of Seattle" hints at the problem -- too old for grunge, too young for the nostalgia circuit, the group is tired and unsure of their position in the alt-rock universe. Instead of rising to the occasion with a defiant or even craftsmanlike album, they go through the motions. They're such a skilled band that they can't help but turn out a couple of gems, such as "Miles from Nowhere" or "Everything I Have Is Blue," but the cumulative effect is dispiriting. It's no wonder they took five years to deliver a follow-up to A Date with the Smithereens. -- Stephen Thomas Erlewine (allmusic.com)