Believe Or Explode

Patti Smith “Banga”

Patti Smith sings with incredible authority, particularly on songs like “Banga” that move her to take on aggressive, biting tone. She has said that this song isn’t about something in particular, and though I don’t particularly buy that what with the references to Pilate’s dog and all, her performance is a great example of how a rock singer’s full commitment can make almost anything sound compelling and intense. Rock music is a shorthand — the strictly musical or physical elements sketch out complex thoughts and feelings, it’s an abstraction. Smith has always understood this magic, this poetry. It’s so wonderful that after all this time, she’s never lost touch with any of that. If anything, it’s only gone deeper.

Buy it from Amazon.