Wednesday, 18 December 2024

The Smithereens - Behind the Wall of Sleep


[1986]
Bass players named Kim for a thousand. Kim Gordon, Kim Deal and this Kim from some forgotten 80s Boston band, she had hair like Jean Shrimpton and a stance just like Bill Wyman.

Nifty lyrics, crafty tune and a pretty legendary 80s alternative sound. Power pop had spent five years in the wilderness when it was brought back by The Smithereens in a new incarnation that was much darker and heavier. The dude who co-produced REM's first two LPs, Don Dixon, twiddled the knobs to great affect here.

Some albums you taped off your friends and I can picture a TDK D-90 with Especially For You on one side and 1988's Green Thoughts on the other. 

3 comments:

  1. I thought Battlesick was a hoot. Were Mark of Cain a bit funny or were they really that dour?

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  2. I'm in hell!!! A powerful live band for sure. I reckon it's just the aesthetic or schtick they align with. I've associated in circles with the singer and had a few brief conversations with him. He's quite affable in person actually.

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