Expected - Very Patti Smith-like! Had this on vinyl, tape, and now CD. Worth every penny. If you are a fan, this is a must have.
The fourth album - After the spectacular Horses, Radio Ethiopia and Easter anything would have been a let-down and it was indeed slammed by the critics. I love the album, however, for its great songs. It has now been enhanced by the addition of two tracks.Frederick is a poetic number with a lovely, hummable melody in the vein of Because The Night. Dancing Barefoot is more experimental and rather haunting with an interesting tribal rhythm, whilst So You Wanna Be A Rock n Roll Star is a spirited version of the classic and Hymn a fragile lullaby with Patti accompanying herself on a harp - it reminds me of The Jackson Song on Dream of Life. The highlight of the album is Broken Flag, a solemn but powerful dirge about courage in adversity, celebrating some early American heroine. The title track Wave is a spoken word delivery with gulls and ocean sounds and doesn t appeal to me at all. I would say this album is essential for fans but not the correct entry point for someone just starting to investigate the talented Ms Smith. When it was released, the critics were unnecessarily harsh - it has stood the test of time very well.Land (1975-2002)
Disappointing, but has two necessary songs from Smith. - Dancing Barefoot is worth the price of the album alone, but this difficult forth album has a rather trinomial reaction: cr*ppy songs, some listenable songs, and two great songs (Frederick, Dancing Barefoot). Unless you are a Smith fan this is skipable.
a different & complex release from patti. - for some people, a lot of the songs on this album may be difficult to get into at first. people have a tendancy to get scared off by lengthy songs, but i d advise you to really listen to what she s saying. there seems to be a theme of religion & doubt running through a lot of the songs, she says in dancing barefoot: the plot of our life/sweats in the dark like a face/the mystery of childbirth/of childhood itself/grave visitations/what is it that calls to us?/why must we pray screaming?/why must not death be redefined?...PLEASE give this one a chance, once you get into it you won t regret it.
INCREDIBLE. - A work of tremendous beauty. ksgnyc said it best, The version of the Byrd s So You Want To Be Rock and Roll Star is grave and honest. The song Wave recreates an imaginary meeting between Patti and Pope J.P. It includes the sounds of waves breaking, creating a mood of peace and transcendence. To make it all perfect, Wave includes Frederick, Patti s valentine to her now deceased husband. On Radio Ethiopia, she asked the angels, on Wave they have answered. AMEN to that.