Search - Smithereens :: Especially for You

"These Guitars Don't Jangle...They bite!"

C. C. Thomas | Empire, CO | 06/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"So said the promo sticker adhered to the vinyl version when this album first came out (1986). And it's true. This is some of the most ferocious guitar power-pop you'll ever hear as "Behind the Wall of Sleep" and "Blood and Roses" amply demonstrate. It's also one of the best albums of the 80s. This one's a gem from the perfect opening track, "Strangers When We Meet", to the inclusion of two bonus tracks at the end. Also true: the Smithereens were never quite able to come up with a worthy sequel to this, their masterpiece. Though you might be eyeing that "Best of..." CD to get all their hits, this is really the album of theirs to get - this is their best."

A Power Pop Milestone!

04/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Power Pop was never the same after "Especally For You" hit store shelves in 1986 - it instantly changed the rules about how LOUD guitars could be recorded in the genre along with the usual killer melodies, terrific musicianship and great songwriting.



The Who, Hollies, Kinks, Badfinger, The Nazz, Big Star and The Raspberries created the form, and Power Pop was expanded upon by Cheap Trick, Dwight Twilley, The Romantics, Shoes and 20/20 in the Seventies. Unfortunately after the hype of The Knack faded, Power Pop went into a deep recession for a few years, with only Marshall Crenshaw, The SpongeTones, The dB's, The Bongos, and a few others keeping the flame alive.



But these tough but tender Jersey Guys had the heart, talent and guts to really CRANK the guitars into hard rock/metal/punk territory - getting it back in touch with it's British Invasion roots. And by doing this they completely updated and refreshed the genre which was left for dead in the "skinny tie" early 80's. The sounds from this LP still resonate today.



Without this album I don't think the Posies, Matthew Sweet (and glup - Nirvana too) would have had any ideas and the guitar tone for their 90's landmark albums. The Smithereens first CD is great all the way through and still sounds fresh today with no throwaway songs, (including Jim's funny and now classic "White Castle Blues"). Many have become longtime Smithereens fan favorites. Go Get it!"

A must have. Will be regarded as a classic.

C. C. Thomas | 06/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"9 times out of 10 it's kind of cringeworthy to revisit the music you loved as a youth... "I actually thought that was GOOD?".... but without a doubt, this album stands the test of time. I appreciate the arrangements more every time I hear it...... Upbeat rhythyms, intelligent lyrics, play it loud and sing your heart out."