Gone Again
by Patti Smith

Gone is a prominent theme of the album, with obvious reasons, Smith lost several people in her life including her husband, whose absence in her life is reflected in her lyrics. Yet rather then being a purely bleak elegy, Smith comes with a quite acceptance of her circumstances, and the album feels like a catharsis shared with the listener, where the pain that is felt in isolation becomes a communal experience.
Musically the album is a haunting experience, steeped in a haze of a southern gothic aesthetics, the acoustics and dulcimer make it feel like your down in the swamps of Louisiana, rather then the urban environs of her 70s era.
There are not a lot of real rockers here, most of the album is filled with slowed down numbers, but for me its the slower ones that make it more impactful to the albums themes as a whole.

In the end the album is a meditation of death and loss, but Patti's strength and endurance makes it knowing that while the body breaks the strong spirit endears.

Easily up there with her classic 70s output

Top Tracks
About A Boy
My Madrigal
Farewell Reel

From Tamthebam 02/08/2015 11:00 | #134347

An overlooked brilliant album from Patti recorded after the death of her husband, her brother, one of the members of her old band and Kurt Cobain (with whom she sympathised) help make this a very deep and emotional listen. Best tracks are Wing, Summer Cannibals and About A Boy (the Boy being Kurt Cobain).