I've Just Got to Find a Way to Let You Know I'm Not Like Them

In stores today is the track-by-track, note-by-frickin'-note tribute to Meet the Beatles! by the Smithereens. It's appropriately titled Meet the Smithereens! Now you can preview a few tracks here. Look, I love both bands and it's a cool idea (particularly from the Beatle-lovin' musicians' points of view), but I can't help scratch my head and say, "really?" By calling it Meet the Smithereens!, aren't they implying that this is a good introduction to the band that has been around over 20 years? I haven't heard the whole album, but honestly, the best introduction to the Smithereens would be Especially For You, their outstanding full-length debut, or one of their biggest commercial successes 11. I appreciate the nostalgia and the novelty of one of my favorite bands covering a full album of another of my favorite bands, but in the end, it just seems completely unnecessary. Allmusic does an excellent job of summing up my feelings. I would've preferred a new album of original material, which hopefully is in the works.

Meet the Smithereens! @ iTunes
Meet the Smithereens! @ Amazon

Previously... and ...

The World Is Full of Energy

Well, one thing is for sure. They may sound like them, but the Apples in Stereo look nothing like the Beatles. Catchy tune, though, but lame video. Frodo should stick to tending to his furry feet.

Thanks, stereogum.

Oh Yeah, I'll Tell You Something

The Chicago Sun-Times has a great interview with Smithereens leader Pat DiNizio about their upcoming album Meet the Smithereens, a song-by-song tribute to Meet the Beatles. The album is due out a week from today.

Previously...

There's A Lot Inside of You

Apples in Stereo don't like The Beatles. It's so obvious. There music sounds absolutely nothing like The Beatles. Listen to their new tune Energy at stereogum and you'll hear it sounds nothing like The Beatles. Their new non-Beatley album New Magnetic Wonder will be released February 6. Download many songs that don't sound like ... well, you know ... right here. Also, you can stream many a tune at their website if you click on the second smallest UFO.

In This Creepy Little World

It's been a long time since I've purchased something based on Amazon.com's "Recommended for You" feature, but tonight was the night. The wife had something to do with it too. As I was exploring David Mead's music a bit on hisspace, I listened to Choosing Teams from the album Tangerine at which point the Missus said, "Who is that? He sounds like Paul McCartney." Typically, that's all I need to hear. But as I listened to more of it, I realized that this was truly a worthy purchase. Fighting for Your Life has a distinct Beatley vibe, but from what I've heard so far, it's not all Beatles. There's plenty of Ben Folds piano pop mixed in. This guy's been around awhile so I'm looking forward to "discovering" even more.

Now my dilemma: I have yet to listen to The Beatles Love. Do I listen to that tomorrow or to David Mead? Hmm.

You're Back Again

The Smithereens are back. In January, they will release Meet The Smithereens!, a song-by-song tribute to The Beatles' Meet the Beatles! You could always tell by the music of The Smithereens that they were big fans of The Beatles, particularly of their early years. This should be fun.