Customer Rating: 
Summary: A shame I missed them
Comment: This is a terrific collection. It makes me regret that I missed out on enjoying them while they were at their peak. I took notice after hearing them on a Rhino box set, and checking them out further via Rhapsody. Every song is a winner.
Customer Rating:
Summary: But....
Comment: But, will never understand why the song "Time and Time Again" is not included. It's their first song that I heard and absolutely had to have, having heard it for the very first time on the "I Was A Teenage Zombie" soundtrack album.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Prepare to be "Blown" away.
Comment: Whenever I think of The Smithereens, I think of great simple rock n' roll. No gimmicks, no categorizing, just straight-up rock. Nothing here is really that heavy though, and sure you can call it pop-rock, but it's still catchy as hell. And this really does play through like their ultimate album. Who doesn't know "Blood And Roses", "Only A Memory", or "Blues Before & After"? Of course "Girl Like You" is on here also, with one of the best opening riffs ever. If you only know a few songs here, know that they're all as good as the hits are, roughly. I had "11" for many years and didn't think I needed this, but once I got it I truly was "Blown To Smithereens".
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Rock n' Roll
Comment: A terrific collection of the band's best stuff. The Smithereens are in the tradition of the very best American rock n' roll. Fender guitars, solid melodies and performed without any pretense whatsoever. You can't listen to their music and not smile. It is still bewildering why this band never became more commercially successful than it did. But, for those of us who really enjoy their music, it's probably a good thing - they just kept doing what they do best.
By the way, if you get a chance to see the Smithereens live, go for it. They put on a great show. Even after 25 years, they still make sure the audience has a great time.
Customer Rating:
Summary: It deserves 6 stars.....
Comment: This is a superb CD by a group that is not that well known but certainly should be. Most CD's that I buy I usually end up ripping the one or two good songs on the disc to my hard drive or compilation CD and filing the others away in a storage cabinet, but I play this one from beginning to end.....there isn't a bad song on the disc. "Blood and Roses", "In a Lonely Place" and "Girl Like You" are my favorites, "Blue Period" is a beautiful song (including vocals by Belinda Carlisle) and I even like their remake of "Time Won't Let Me", the Outsiders classic from the sixties.....and one of my favorite songs. American pop/rock at it's best, I just wish more people were familiar with The Smithereens and their music. They are proof that some really fine music was created in the 80's.
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