gypsy_eyes78's Full Review: Easter [Remaster] by Patti Smith Group
Most rock critics, despite their desperate attempts (see Jim DeRogatis and Vortis), never make it big as professional musicians. Lester bang can attest to this. He too has tried and failed. Most of these individuals think that they know the secret formula to success in the music industry, because they are insiders with a vast knowledge superior to garage bands of their day. But what most of them lack is originality (or just any musical talent what so ever), which will separate them from the pack. Fortunately, Patti Smith does not fall into this pathetic and dismal cluster.
First appearing on the map as a poet and a writer for Creem Magazine in the late early seventies, along side Bangs. She was initially, as well as constantly, praised for her writing style and skills. It is unforeseen how much musical talent she actually possesses, but she sure can belt out rock and roll classics. She writes the lyrics and some melodies, while her band does the rest.
Her career as an solo artist began in 1975 with the release of the now classic Horses and continued through with the less impressive Radio Ethiopia. And in 1978, she let loose with Easter. The first impression this rough and rowdy cd leaves on the listener is, “Oh this is the one with “Because the Night” on it.” Another first impression might be, after seeing the cover, is that hair in her armpits? Upon further review, yes, yes it is, and I am fine with that.
Upon being intrigued from the get go, more spins of the album were not only necessary, but just out of respect. With in just a few short minutes of a third of forth listen, the fog starts to clear and the songs begin to grow, even if they are to be weeds. The first track, “Till Victory,” is as much of a war cry as it is a adrenaline filled rock and roll anthem. Her voice is there, its audible, but her words are very hard to decipher, and, thanks to the booklet, they aren’t printed either. Guitars take center stage, but a daunting piano finds its way into the spot light every now and then.
A very strong start indeed, but the rest of the record is not cut from the same block. “Because the Night” is the most memorable song in this assortment, containing the most instantly recognizable piano line ever. A big hit then, and a song that still receives much airplay today. “Space Monkey,” with its cavernous organ and all, actually makes itself out to be quite a rocker. The chorus is very “Sister Ray,” when Patti sings Space Monkey, sign of the time, time……so out of line, line, just as Lou Reed sang I ain’t got the time, time only ten years prior.
Being the poet that she is, Smith feels it necessary to be offensive and controversial. “Babelogue” tries to reenact Smith on the stage spewing (or babbling) a stream of controversial poetry while the crowd claps along faster and faster to lead up to the climax. Which happens to lead into the next track, “Rock N Roll N!gger.” The title alone is enough to scare most US citizens in this politically correct society. Smith’s supposed goal in this song is to change the meaning and use of the word “N!gger.” It makes as much sense as that dude in Clerks II trying to bring back “Porch Monkey.”
As for the rest of the disc, 㦅th Floor” and “High On Rebellion” stand out as intense rockers. The tile track, “Easter,” and the closer, “Godspeed,” are most laid back, but lack none of the grit that the rockers possess.
Track Listing
1. Till Victory 2. Space Monkey
3. Because The Night
4. Ghost Dance
5. Bablelogue
6. Rock N Roll N!gger
7. Privilege (Set Me Free)
8. We Three
9. 25th Floor
10. High On Rebellion
11. Easter
12. Godspeed
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