The Smithereens

February 1 - 8, 1 9 9 6

****The Smithereens

ATTACK OF THE SMITHEREENS

(Capitol)

Released a few months after the Smithereens' official greatest-hits album, this 80-minute collection of outtakes, B-sides, and cover tunes is arguably a better disc. It's certainly looser and more reflective of the band's '60s-inspired origins. There are a handful of original tunes that haven't been on CD before, a couple of which ("Like Someone in Love" and "Poor Little Pitiful One") are as catchy as anything on their last two albums.

A couple of hits appear here in garage-demo versions. The original "Blood & Roses" lacks the heavy-metalisms of the official take and is none the worse for it. Most telling and most enjoyable are the dozen covers, which show the band's eternal pop-fan instincts. Performing "You Really Got Me" with Ray and Dave Davies (at a Boston Garden show from 1991), they sound as if they'd lived their whole career just to play it. Also guesting are a pair of original Beau Brummels on their '60s hit "Just a Little," a great song done up proud. Turning the tables, Graham Parker takes the mike to sing the old Smithereens hit "Behind the Wall of Sleep." Even a hardened cynic like Parker can't help getting his heart melted by the tune.

-- Brett Milano