Radio Ethiopia
by Patti Smith Group

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. (Edited)

Synthesizing poetic free-form lyrics and emotionally intense vocals, Patti Smith reinvented the unstable relationship that exists between life and art in the spirit of Janis Joplin. Her engaging and unique personality is probably best evoked in the quasi-religious elegy, 'Pissing In The River', undoubtably one of the most moving songs ever recorded performed by one of the greatest artists in the entire history of rock. The predecessor 'Horses' is her most famous album, but 'Radio Ethiopia' is Patti Smith's tour de force.

ffud

Horses is great but in my view Radio Ethiopia is in another league. To my mind it has far more musical depth than Horses. Joni Mitchell's Don Juan's Reckless Daughter and Smith's Radio Ethiopia are probably the two most criminally underrated albums ever.

From ffudnebbuh TOP 100 COMMENTER 08/10/2011 13:05 | #26052 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

I can never decide which patti smith is my favorite, this or "horses", I still listen to "radio ethiopia" on the original cassette of it that I bought in 1976.

From covecove TOP 100 COMMENTER 10/22/2012 17:02 | #53157 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

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...