Back in time

15 October 2021

Artist: PATTI SMITH
This was the first LP labeled as The Patti Smith Group
Active: Patti started her career in 1967 (she’s 74 now)
and produced 11 albums so far, with Banga (2012) as her
latest. She also published multiple books/poems (much
more than LPs).

Anniversary album: RADIO ETHIOPIA
Released: 15 October 1976 – 45 years ago

AllMusic said: “Producer Jack Douglas gave “the Patti Smith Group,” as it was now billed, a hard rock sound… A schizophrenic album in which the many elements that had worked so well together on Horses now seemed jarringly incompatible, with Radio Ethiopia Smith and her band encountered the same development problem the punks would — as they learned their craft and competence set in, they lost some of the unselfconsciousness that had made their music so appealing.” Full review here. Score: 3.5/5.

Turn Up The Volume: It was nearly impossible to match, let alone improve, her debut masterpiece ‘Horses’, so I’m sure ‘Radio Ethiopia’ would have been more appreciated
if it had been her debut. Anyway, it’s still one of her electr-emo-fying best. Genuine passion, genuine heart and soul turmoil.

Highlights: Ask The Angels / Pumping / Distant Fingers / Radio Ethiopia

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PATTI SMITH: All Albums