Australian Version featuring Alternate Cover Art. Tracks Remain the Same as the Us Release.
CD Reviews
Time for some clarifications...
Damien Winters | 06/18/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"1) John does not, in fact, hate Smile From The Streets You Hold. On his website, Frusciante has recently stated, quote,
"I recently listened to 'Smile' again and really loved it, it's really a wonderful album and it should be out there, people should be able to listen to it"
2)This album is not worth $200. John dosen't think so either. As it turns out, there is a warehouse full of unsold copies of 'Smile' that John has recently decided to sell. Hence, 'Smile' will soon be avaliable for purchase on John's website (...) for a far more reasonable price.
After months of scraping around, I've been able to find all the tracks on the album myself, and I can say that it contains some of John's best - and most haunting - work. If you're not familiar with the rest of Frusciante's early solo work, you're probably best avoiding 'Smiles', or at least should get aquainted with his more recent albums beforehand. If you're willing to force your way through the first few listens, you will find a musical gem of raw honesty. 'Smiles' is a glimpe into the mind of a man convinced he is on the brink of death. If you can't feel anything by the end of Estress, you're already dead.
That said, don't bother purchasing it now. Once copies are put on sale on John's website, the price should drop to something far more reasonable."
Broaden Your Horizons
T.B. | Napa, CA | 01/29/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this album without previously hearing it. I was familiar with john Frusciante from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and wanted to hear his solo work...I had bought this before Niandra Lades and Usually Just a T-shirt. This album is wonderful! I truly couldn't live without it now. The tones and colors John paints with his talent makes you feel like you have been introduced to his soul. I prefer it to Niandra but highly recommend both. This album is definitely not your mainstream type of music you hear everyday. There is no set outline. The music is like a journey through your feelings. The overtone of the album is melancholy. It may take a few listens to appreciate it fully."
What Makes an album great
Joseph P. Mcguinness | charleston, sc United States | 03/06/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a hard album to review because in order to do so, you really have to ask yourself, what makes an album great? If you answer, something that will always be remembered, something that gives me insite into an artists state of mind, something controversial, something unconventional, something that divides some and unites others, then this album is something you should look into if you're a fan of John's work. It will not make you dance. The melodies will mostly be forgotten. The record as a whole, though, will stick with you long after it's left the turntable. And you will return to it again occasionally to marvel at this creation. Most of it is haunting and disturbing. John has much better material on all of his other records, but there are some gems here. Don't expect a classic piece of music. Expect an organic piece of art and you will be more satisfied."
Portrait of a wreckage of a man
Mike Chadwick | Gdynia,Poland | 02/25/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"John's second solo album is sadly out of print.Frusciante himself didn't wanted it to be re-released as his debut "niandra lades...".the fact is that "Smile..." is musically shocking...Some of you may remember 1996 L.A weekly magazine drastical article showing John living in dirty motel room,hiding before the world.he was in tragic condition,abusing heroin made him looking like a ghost or someone deadly sick - and In this conditions John had been recording some of songs that were released on "smile from the streets" - he often told that he wanted to rleelased them to have more money for drugs.notice that most of tracks are recorded on some portable stereo tape recorder.that's why the quality is so weak
the opener "enter a uh" suits perfectly into albums atmosphere -Quite nice guitar riff is a background to John's screams and murmur's,later it grows more sinister straight to the end when his voice is is unnaturaly low.i believe that he was surely taking drugs while recording it.it does't change the fact that "Enter a uh" is one of the most shocking and moving songs ever recorded - pure emotions.
other songs such as "More","estress" or "nigger songs" are combination of wierd vocals and a bit amateurish guitar lines,although "poppy man" (niandra lades outtake) is really amazing guitar collage."well i've been" is some mix of strange noises and minimal riff. but the best songs here is "feminity" -propably John's best songs ever.pure emotions,if this song will not bring tears to your eyes i will be suprised..."smile from the streets you hold" may shock many Red hot chilli peppers fans where john plays guitar but if you are opened on different music you will love it.if you prefer more accesible songs you may hate it - but the true is that nobody ever made a record like this one"
Only for the sensitive and depressed.
Mike Chadwick | 12/07/1999
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Frusciante has had some shining momnets, but SFTSYH, isn't one of them. There are a couple of good tracks here and there, but as a whole, this CD was boring. Stick with his RHCP stuff, or Niandra Lades."
Track Listings (17) - Disc #1