2011 [Clear Vinyl], Smithereens, Vinyl

The Smithereens'Produced by Don Dixon (who helmed 'Especially For You,' the group's breakout debut), 'The Smithereens 2011' features 13 tracks and finds the seminal New Jersey rockers with irresistibly catchy hooks and rapturously fuzzed-out guitars. Pulsing with the same raw energy and vitality the band is known for. The album easily ranks with the best work The Smithereens have ever recorded. - Eschewing extensive pre-production, the band-lead singer/guitarist Pat DiNizio, guitarist Jim Babjak, drummer Dennis Diken, and bassist Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion-cut a raw and electric album in the best tradition of Cheap Trick or Big Star that just begs you to roll down the windows and crank up the volume. "We cut our teeth on albums that were carefully crafted to take you someplace," says Dixon, who's been dubbed "The Fifth Smithereen" by the band and also co-produced REM's early records.