Patti Smith
Banga
Reviewed on 31 July 2012
Rated 9 out of 10
Key Track: Key Track: Banga
Listen to music now on MOG
Patti Smith is one of the few artists who has been elevated past the scrutiny of taste. She’s reached a level where it doesn’t really matter what she does or how successful her releases are because her legacy has already been cemented in history.
Despite this, or maybe because of this, Smith keeps releasing primo material and her latest release, Banga is another great example of this.
Her first record since 2012′s Twelve, Smith’s latest offering is said to have been inspired by “unique dreams and observations”, which comes across quite obviously when listening to the album – especially on the more down tempo tracks such as ‘This Is The Girl’.
Smith’s love of spoken word is also appreciable on Banga. The album kicks off with her smokey voice speaking on top of quiet piano and a steady drum beat before launching into tuneful, and actually, very pretty singing.
The first half of the album follows suit with no big surprises. Come the title track, however, Smith returns to the rock-goddess many expect. Classic rock guitars, coupled with a sample of a dog barking launch the latter half of the album into a style that’s more diverse than one would expect.
Smith knows what works and she does it all incredibly well. The best part of Banga, is that Smith knows she doesn’t owe her audience anything anymore and as a result, she’s become free to play around more and give us all a diverse, and thoroughly enjoyable record.
- Esther Semo
Recent Record Reviews
The Maine
Forever Halloween
Released through Independent, 2013
The Maine are back with their fourth offering to the musical world, Forever Halloween, one which has again seen the group take the independent route. Though...
1 week ago
Call The Shots
When Everything Goes Wrong
Released through Take Down Records, 2013
It’s been two years since their last release but Call the Shots are back with another fun-filled EP. Offering seven songs of pop-punk fulfilment to their...
1 week ago
Sigur Ros
Kveikur
Released through Xl Recordings, 2013
It’s barely been a year since the release of Valtari, but Sigur Rós are almost unrecognisable on their seventh studio album. Kveikur is a sprawling, dark masterpiece, and...
1 day ago
Rogue Wave
Nightingale Floors
Released through Vagrant Records, 2013
Rouge Wave’s records seem to always be overshadowed by a crisis or tragic event including job losses, the death of their bassist, and a desperate search...
17 hours ago
30 Seconds To Mars
Love, Lust, Faith And Dreams
Released through Virgin Records, 2013
30 Seconds To Mars return and continue to work on their grand, epic sound in their fourth record Love, Lust, Faith And Dreams by constructing powerful anthems...
1 week ago
