Radio Ethiopia (studio album) by Patti Smith Group

Album Rating: 88.43
(619/7)

1.Ask The Angels. 74
2.Ain't It Strange. 95
3.Poppies. 94
4.Pissing In A River. 100
5.Pumping (My Heart). 91
6.Distant Fingers. 78
7.Radio Ethiopia. 87
8.Abyssinia. (N/a. 76. N/a)

From splashfoop 05/16/2021 07:05

This is better than Horses. Horses is pretty great, but is not as consistent and musical as this one. Also the title track is one of the greatest songs ever made.

I'm really glad that this is AOTD but what's with all the "horses is overrated" and "radio ethiopia might be better than horses" bs? horses isn't even in the top 100 on this site and it belongs in the top 50 minimum. I'm familiar with all but 5 of the albums above it and it's easily better than over half of them, I'd go comment on it and I've always planned to (I consider it weekly) but I'm really not in the mood to write the 3 page essay that I know that comment is going to be. it's so misunderstood and actually UNDERRATED b/c very few ppl can relate to a schizophrenic junkie. if only you could you wouldn't be saying the s*&^ I see in half these comments. she's only second to bob dylan in the poetry department and isn't beaten in the emotional/delivery department. if radio ethiopia and easter had the instrumental virtuosity of horses they'd belong in the top 200 as well. they don't though and aren't quite up to the poetry or delivery of horses either so NO, sorry, they don't compare with horses.

More rawer than Horses, a great record. The production and Patti's voice brings another classic that should gain some more recognition on this site.

Obviously not as great as, horses, but still a very good album. This record needs to climb out from under the shadow of it's predecessor and be accepted on it's own terms. Very good.

I agree that Horses is slightly overrated. The title track, Radio Ethiopia, is awesome and the album wouldn't quite be the masterpiece it is without it.

From covecove 10/22/2012 17:02

I've always felt Smith is overrated (mostly because Horses IS Overrated) but after listeningo to this album I have been completely proven wrong, so emotional and unorthodox, I've never heard so much rage in her voice (or any voice male or female whatsoever) and its bit raw production kind of reminded me more of bands like The Stooges or the New York Dolls than the late 70s punk with which she is usuallly classified, with the exception of Radio Ethiopia which is pretty mucho noise, the rest is an instant classic and a phenomenal experience...

From ffudnebbuh 11/24/2011 13:42

My only complaint about this album, is that the back up band is not at her level of precision and intensity.

Sounded real nice. Should have really listened closer to the words though.

From ffudnebbuh 08/11/2011 16:37

I agree with you