1. A World Apart (Smithereens studio band version) - This track was recorded at Crystal Sound Recording on 3/18/93 ("take 3" voice overdub "ruffs with overdubs" version from 9:50 PM). As Pat says in his liner notes, this is a 24 track studio version that is "much superior to a demo, yet not quite a master". Best known from Pat's own solo "Songs and Sounds" album performed by the "Pat DiNizio Foursome", this is an unreleased Smithereens rendition of the tune. In case you ever wondered how "Songs and Sounds" might have sounded with Mike Mesaros playing bass, here's a chance for you to check out this early Smithereens version of a song that would later end up on Pat's solo album. Mike puts his indelible stamp on this one as his basslines chug along as perfect underpinnings to the melody. Dennis keeps the beat steady yet rocking when it needs to be. Jim Babjak's guitar work and solo almost tend to "countrify" this arrangement although the band is still able to make it sound uniquely their own by harnessing the electricity and power of the Smithereens' collective synergy.

2. This Is The Way The World Ends (Unreleased Demo) - Recorded at Pat's Hollingsworth House by the Smithereens, this is the "Ruffs w/vocals" version purporting to be from 10/7/98. This song was performed live several times at the "Smithereens' Court Tavern Workshop" during their weekly residence there from July-September of 1998. On the occasion of their forthcoming (and then still untitled new Smithereens album), the Smithereens had returned to their old stomping grounds in New Brunswick, NJ primarily to try out some new material onstage in front of their fans. Unfortunately, this potentially classic Smithereens song never made the final cut although the band demo has now finally been released to show you just what you missed. This tune is very much in keeping with the discarded original "God Save the Smithereens" "end of the world" theme as we quickly approached the new millennium. (Read more about this abandoned album theme in much more detail in Pat DiNizio's informative CD notes included along with this "deluxe edition"). In fact, "This Is The Way The World Ends" had even been bandied about as a possible name for the album early on in the decision process. It's a catchy bossa nova ditty that's non-artificially flavored with pop and rock as it incorporates its title as part of its hook-laden chorus.

3. King Of The World (Unreleased Demo) - A "roughs w/vocals" version from 10/7/98 that is another band demo recorded at Pat's house and played live during their "Smithereens Workshop" reign at the Court Tavern. Regrettably, this was another song that was left off of the final version of the album but luckily it's now available to marvel at on the 2-CD set in this demo format. It has the proverbial "good (rhumba) beat and you can dance to it." You definitely know that you have an abundance of song gems to choose from when a rocking song this good is dropped from the final roster.

4. Sundown (Unreleased Demo) - A Pat DiNizio solo demo from his "Apocalypse 2000" demos (yet another potential early "God Save The Smithereens" album title) from 12/98. This is a thoroughly charming cover version of Gordon Lightfoot's song with just Pat playing acoustically along with what appears to be some additional double-tracked vocals that have been overdubbed unobtrusively. The Smithereens' cover version of Billie Holiday's "Gloomy Sunday" made the final album cut on "God Save The Smithereens" so this was possibly considered to be one cover tune too many for the album.

5. All Revved Up (Unreleased Demo) - This "ruffs w/vocals" band version is from 10/7/98. Conceived with the Brian Wilson/Beach Boys oeuvre in mind, this song didn't sound immediately recognizable as an homage of sorts until a more stylized and somewhat differently arranged version made its way onto the final album. In its more raw demo version here, this arrangement is a close approximation of the powerhouse rocking version that was heard at the Smithereens' Court Tavern Workshop. Both versions are great in their own special way, but if you prefer your "surf and turf" with a bit more gritty emphasis on rock "turf" rather than rolling "surf", then maybe this is the perfect verson for you.

6. On The Beach (Unreleased Demo) - This is an acoustic Pat DiNizio solo demo circa 12/98. It's a "short and sweet" demo although maybe it should actually be termed "short and bittersweet" considering that this one also fits snugly into the album's original doom-laden millennium theme.

7. House At The End Of The World (VIP's EP Version) - This early version of the song is from Pat's side project "The VIPs". The VIPs was an electronics band featuring Pat DiNizio and Carrie Akre (formerly of the band "Goodness"). They are perhaps best described as something of a cross between the song stylings of the band Kraftwerk and alternative techno-powerpop. Other songs from the unreleased VIPs EP that may hopefully yet see the light of day include "Walls", "Catch Me If You Can", "Ready" and "Rosemary" (based on the theme from "Rosemary's Baby".) Unlike the "God Save The Smithereens" version, "House at the End of the World" as heard here is just Carrie Akre singing the vocals by herself (as she does on the rest of the VIPs EP). The version of this song that later turned up on the "God Save the Smithereens" album features Carrie on it as well as Pat singing additional vocals - along with the rest of the Smithereens in tow to play on the tune for added good measure.

8. I Want To Tell You (The Smithereens) - This is the Smithereens' cover version of the Beatles' "I Want To Tell You" from the 2003 George Harrison tribute album "Songs From the Material World". It's the Smithereens channeling The Who by way of the Beatles as they still manage to capture that undeniable and yet nearly indefinable signature Smithereens sound.

9-13. From "Pat DiNizio: Live In Spain". "A Girl Like You, "Yesterday Girl", "Behind The Wall of Sleep", "She's Got A Way" and "Blood And Roses" as recorded live at the University of Valencia in Valencia, Spain on October 21, 2002. Excellent acoustic renditions of Smithereens tunes as performed solo by Pat DiNizio on a "muy buenos noches".

14. Someday Boy (Unreleased Demo) - From the "Songs and Sounds" tape entitled "Acoustic Demos - 4 Track Master" from 3/97. This is a less bombastic but equally powerful version of a song previously available only on the somewhat rare Pat DiNizio "MCA Song Demos" CD.

15. Afternoon Tea (Unreleased Demo) - A Pat DiNizio demo. This song would later resurface in its more familiar "full-blown to Smithereens" version on the "A Date With the Smithereens" album in 1994.

There are still several unreleased "God Save The Smithereens" demos tucked away safely somewhere in the archives besides the ones that were made for the songs used on the 1999 album version. Other unreleased "God Save The Smithereens" demos that would never fully blossom into songs used for the finished album version include: "You're So Wonderful", "Shy Kitten", "One Look At You", "Look Up, Look Down", "Rock And Roll Is Dead" and "Dear World". Jim Babjak's tune "How Many Dead" was also originally written for the "God Save the Smithereens" album and a version of it finally showed up later on in 2001 on "The Music From Jim Babjak's Buzzed Meg - Part 1" CD (which is another CD worth seeking out). In fact, there are still enough unreleased Smithereens rarities, demos, alternate versions and live tracks from their other albums kicking around the archives to fill-up several CDs worth of material (just in case anyone's listening and wants to create that well-deserved Smithereens box set "somewhere down the line".) But for now, this 2-CD set and the Capitol "From Jersey It Came: The Smithereens Anthology" CDs will suffice quite nicely indeed.