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Banga
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Banga Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 30 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 12 Ratings

  • Summary: Patti Smith's first album since 2004's Trampin' features guest appearances by her children Jesse and Jackson, Tom Verlaine, and Jack Petruzzelli.
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  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Contemporary Pop/Rock
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Jun 4, 2012
    91
    Banga feels like both a return to form and a renewal.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Jun 5, 2012
    88
    Banga is both a return to form and her best album in many years.
  3. Uncut
    Jun 1, 2012
    80
    At her best, and across much of Banga, Patti Smith still dramatises the distance between South Jersey and the San Francisco basilica, the street tussle between the poet and the factory girl, the devotion of the mongrels of faith for the betrayers of salvation. [Jul 2012, p.78]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. The Guardian
    Jun 1, 2012
    80
    She has never sung better.
  5. AllMusic
    Jun 5, 2012
    80
    Banga is an event; it's not only provocative and expansive lyrically, but abundantly enjoyable musically.
  6. The Wire
    Jul 24, 2012
    80
    A great part of the pleasure of Banga is revelling in the medium conveying the message. For the most part, the album is a smooth listen, its revelation couch within relaxed AOR-ish arrangements. [Jul 2012, p.64]
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  7. musicOMH.com
    Jun 4, 2012
    60
    If only her music might just occasionally match the freeform, flighty, extravagant nature of her words.

See all 30 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. AlexxTrusc
    Jun 18, 2012
    8
    Patti Smith, who a few decades ago revolutionized punk rock is back with her eleventh in career, similar in style to the previous releasesPatti Smith, who a few decades ago revolutionized punk rock is back with her eleventh in career, similar in style to the previous releases album entitled "Banga". This CD inspired by the topics as among others: death, love, nature and history is the result of observation and dreams - as the she admitted. Undoubtedly a big plus is diversion of motifs presented in works, evident for ex. by "Amerigo" - which is a combination of instrumental music and sung poetry inserts - thanks to whom though the initial impression of "normal" dimension - at a later stage songs shows us their true, valuable face.… Expand
  2. Thecomposer102
    Nov 6, 2012
    8
    With some of the best songwriting of her career, Patti Smith makes a wonderful addition to her never ending list of achievements. Highlights:With some of the best songwriting of her career, Patti Smith makes a wonderful addition to her never ending list of achievements. Highlights: "Amerigo", for a perfect introduction to an album exploding with ideas. Her cover of "After the Gold Rush" (however I disagree with her children joining in at the end, sounds over the top)
    "April Fool", the best song on the record. Though Patti Smith is over 60 years old, the song's youthful yearning confirms that she will always be young at heart.    … Expand
  4. jimmyfresno
    Sep 4, 2012
    6
    When Patti Smith isn't careful, she can let loose with ridiculous banter that comes across as sophomoric poeticism, or pointless rants thatWhen Patti Smith isn't careful, she can let loose with ridiculous banter that comes across as sophomoric poeticism, or pointless rants that end with nothing won. I am a huge fan of hers, but her real fans have always known that sometimes Patti gets knee deep in her own pretentious bull ("my Blakean Year.")

    The most redeeming song on "Banga" is also one that is guilty of this same pseudo-profoundness, like Patti feels she's channeling the Koran; at least it comes across that way in a lyric which we are to find out is about Amy Winehouse, "this is the wine...of the house... it is said." It is said? This is the wine of the house, it is said? What is that even supposed to MEAN?    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

81
#81 Best Album of 2012

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