Patty Smyth - Patty Smyth - Greatest Hits - Featuring Scandal

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Music reviews of Patty Smyth - Greatest Hits - Featuring Scandal

Music Review: A very thorough and excellent compilation.
Rating: 5 Stars

The CD "Patty Smyth - Greatest Hits Featuring Scandal" contains 6 songs from Scandal, and 10 songs from Patty Smyth as a solo artist.

Scandal started out as a post-punk new-wave pop band, and that aspect of their career is represented on this CD by the song "Goodbye To You." The song was originally released as a single, and also appeared on the 5 song EP "Scandal." That EP went on to become the biggest selling EP in the entire history of Colmbia Records.

I had the pleasure of seeing and hearing the video for "Goodbye To You" probably over 100 times on MTV during late 1982 and early 1983. In this song and video, Patty Smyth is the very epitome of a cool 80s new wave chick. In this song, she has a certain attitude, which is just oozing with spunk and sassiness, that just drives me wild. This is what being genuinely sexy is all about. It's about being in control of your life, and about being in charge, and about not taking any junk from anybody. To me, this song and video, more than any other, is what defined early MTV for me.

In the song "Goodbye To You," Patty is breaking up with her boyfriend/lover. She's glad to do it. She's glad to be rid of him. She's taking control of her life. She is in charge. In this song, Patty's voice has a spunk and spirit and attitude that has never been eqalled or bettered by any singer in any song ever. This is my #1 favorite song of all time. And this CD is the best sounding release to have this song. Patty's attitude - her spirit, her passion, her spunk, her sassiness - ooooh, it just makes me melt when I hear it. I cannot say enough good things about this song.

"Love's Got A Line On You" is the other song on here from the "Scandal" EP. This song is a very beautiful, haunting ballad, with lyrics that are very personal and intimate.

In 1984, Scandal released their only full lenth LP, which was called "Warrior." At this time, the record company was trying to move the band into the area of so-called "arena rock," with somewhat mixed results. This CD contains 4 songs from that album

The song "The Warrior" is certainly a very good feminist rock song where the singer makes it very clear that she is in control of her life. However, it lacks the new-wave spirit that made the group's earlier work so good. "Beat Of A Heart" is a pretty good rock song from that album. "Say What You Will" is a very pretty ballad, and does a great job of highlighting Smyth's lovely voice.

However, for me, the best song on this CD from the "Warrior" album is "Hands Tied." Smyth sings with a pain and hurt that seems very real and genuine. The song is very lovely. When she sings the lyrics, "Just remember, each time you squeeze her hand, you crush my heart," I can really sympathize with her.

Ultiamtely, though, my response to much of the "Warrior" album was this: Patty Smyth has a truly great voice, but she needs better material to be able to fully utilize that powerful, gorgeous voice.

Fortunately, her solo career gave her exactly that, and this CD contains many excellent solo songs that let her use her voice to its true potential.

"Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough" is a very beautiful ballad. Patty's voice soars here, and it is just so lovely and wonderful.

"Wish I Were You" and "Canival Lights" are two very moving songs.

"I Should Be Laughing" and "Dowtown Train" both allow Patty to use and show off her voice very well.

But my favorite solo song here is "Heartache Heard Around The World." This song contains a lot of the same attitude, spirit, and sassiness that made "Goodbye To You" such a great song. When she sings the lyrics, "I Want To Be A Rock And Roll Girl," it just drives me wild.

In summary, "Patty Smyth - Greatest Hits Featuring Scandal" is a wonderful CD with some very lovely and beautiful songs. I highly, strongly, and enthusiastically recommend it.

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