The Smithereens

With a power-pop and hard-rock blend that greatly influenced grunge (Nirvana’s “About A Girl” sounds suspiciously similar to this group’s “Blood And Roses”), The Smithereens have had quite the output since their ’80s beginnings. They’ve just released their 13th studio album, 2011 (a self-reference to their 1989 hit, 11). By re-recruiting producer Don Dixon, the band looks to recapture the sound of its earlier albums, hooks and all. Even though it’s The Smithereens’ first album of originals since ’99, those 12 years were hardly a hiatus; the band members have kept themselves busy releasing a few live albums, a Christmas LP, two records of Beatles covers, and a full-length interpretation of The Who’s Tommy.

Updated 09/28/2011