Pat Sounds

(Here's a review of Pat DiNizio's upcoming Songs And Sounds, written by the "Fabulous Smithereens Brothers." The reviewers wrote their informal comments independently, in the hopes of offering varied and fresh points of view. Read on...)

	Denotes comments made by Reechie Firestone
	Denotes comments made by Frank McGuire
	Denotes comments made by Dave Persails

"Where I Am Going"
	Back in February, Pat played me a demo of this prelude to the album, and it almost sounded like a Beatnik poet chanting over a dissonant background. It's now evolved into a jazzy, almost art rock beginning to the proceedings. Almost hypnotizing, the trance is broken Pat's vocal crashing into the first "actual" song.
	This sets the mood perfectly. A dark sounding, short tune, it makes the listener wonder just where Pat is gonna take them with his first solo release.
	What the...? Surprise! Very different... This one sounds like a cross between Pink Floyd and a Disney soundtrack. It isn't what one would expect to kick off a Pat DiNizio album, yet it is quite effective as an introduction to the man and his music.
"Nobody But Me"
	Typical DiNizio album opener, ala War For My Mind, A Girl Like You, Only A Memory. Very Smithereens-like sledgehammer rocker.
	Wouldn’t have sounded out of place on DATE. I can almost hear Jim and Dennis. Reminds me of a sequel to War For My Mind. Will Pat open his solo shows with both of these tunes?
	This track is my favorite on the album. Good Old DiNizio Rock.
"124 MPH"
	At first, this too sounds like something the Smithereens would do (down to Dixon's trademark backwards guitar at the fade), until you listen a little closer. It rocks, but those are acoustic guitars, where the 'Reens would have likely gone all electric, Rat pedals set on stun. Bouncy, and fun...I love that line about "Your mantra's anybody's guess."
	The disc really kicks into high gear here and continues for the next four tunes. A great pick for the first single, it’s got a cathcy verse and hopefully will land some airplay.
	This song has real hit potential. The incredible and very infectious hook played in my head all day.
"Running Jumping Standing Still"
	Get Richard Lester to direct the video! I didn't "get" this song when Pat played me his demo, but the band version makes the song come alive, and into focus. Along with "Nobody But Me," this is probably the most Smithereens sounding song on the album, down to some very Diken-like drum fills towards the end.
	Pat and the band really play out on this track and it’s a perfect compliment to 124 MPH. These two really start the disc with some gusto.
	The song fades in with crowd noises and a party atmosphere, and reminded me a bit of the Date With The Smithereens album. The end fade kicks it all over the place, and I can easily imagine this one as an extended jam in Pat's live show -- like all of his best encore numbers.
"Everyday World"
	Nice song, familiar from a radio version from '95 performed by Pat and Mike Mesaros. Pretty much unchanged from that version, except for a march beat, and a nice brass section solo (kind of reminds me of the horn solo from Harry Nilsson's "Daybreak").
	A bit of an uptempo arrangement from the various live versions the past few years. Horns are a nice touch.
	A great pop song with a heavy beat.
"No Love Lost"
	Lush, yet simple...Thank God for Dixon, and/or Pat's tight reins. A hack producer or overzealous record company would have washed this out in strings. Here, it's a basic acoustic guitar, bass, drums, sax solo and vocal. Great song, my choice for an eventual single.
	One of the new DiNizio classics. Could be a third or fourth single. A great lyric and arrangement. Second favorite on the disc.
	This is a tender ballad in the best DiNizio mold, and starts off with a Sonny Fortune sax intro. (Listen to the very end of the album for more insight into this intro.) The acoustic guitar is very smooth, and complemented with a saxophone solo in the middle. The melody is very catchy, and this song grew on me more than any other, after repeated listenings.
"A World Apart"
	Less country sounding than Pat's live versions would have indicated (It'll be interesting to compare it with the Mavericks version, if and when it is released). More of a shuffle beat here.
	The other new DiNizio classic. This song is really growing on me with each listen, and has quickly become an all-time favorite. Tasty rhythm guitars on this tune just make it that much more sweeter. My favorite tune on the disc.
	A slightly country-twinged number with a soaring electric guitar solo on the top. A wonderful song with perfect production values.
"Today It's You"
	Another march beat, breezy, mostly acoustic pop song, with bitter, biting lyrics.
	Didn’t really catch me at first listen, but it did after a few.
	This one is a nice two minute pop song with a cool guitar and another heavy backbeat.
"Liza"
	A melancholy lullabye, very bare bones production. Charming, yet a bit sad.
	Pat’s Beautiful Boy. Might be more fitting at the end of the disk.
	Pat's song for his young daughter. Very, very minimal instrumentation, here. Until the flute solo, there is a simple backing that places emphasis on the vocals, and the lyrical story about a doting father and his sleepy daughter.
"Somewhere Down The Line"
	A slow rocker, that the Smithereens probably would have sped up. Nice 6 string bass sound.
	Strong tune that also gained appeal after a few listens. Would be interesting to hear solo acoustic during the tour.
	Mid-tempo pop/rocker with nice guitar accentuation and an almost familiar piano solo from Don Dixon. An ending that is reminiscent of the Beatles style.
"You Should Know"
	Kind of a shock, because Pat's early demo had more of a ballad feel, whereas the finished product is an uptempo rocker. Great hook and bass line.
	Good tune, and much like "Down The Line" and "Today It's You," didn’t grab me at first, but I’m sure the live versions will.
	This track has a heavy bass part, and stirring guitar. This is a building number, with a pace that has the illusion of continually increasing. Kinda like the sensation of running long distances.
"I'd Rather Have The Blues"
	Last call! My wife said this track reminded her of Leonard Cohen, but to me, it sounds more like one of those old torch songs that Frank Sinatra recorded on his In The Wee Small Hours album. Nice crooning by Pat, and a neat, jittery sax solo.
	Outstanding vocal work and a perfect arrangement. Fill ‘em up, Joe.
	A slow, bluesy cover, which just happens to fit Pat's quota of getting the word "blue" in a song title on every album. Written by film composer Bernard Herrmann, it is evidence of Pat's long running love affair with that medium.