While Smith was obviously never going to recapture the primal yet poetic fury that energized her career's first chapter, the songs chosen here from Patti Smith Part II nevertheless stand with her best work in a complimentary fashion. "Beneath The Southern Cross” from Gone Again is a fine hymn to human mortality, and Gung Ho’s “Glitter In Their Eyes” sparkles with the energy of her earlier work. A word must be said for the stellar, consistent contributions of Smith’s loyal bandmates, especially guitarist Lenny Kaye, who has been at Smith’s side since her early days and remains there today.
Overall, Outside Society is a fine introduction to Smith's music, and stands in contrast to the pitifully inferior work of today’s superficial pop divas. Here’s hoping that someday, someone out there is courageous enough to follow in her giant artistic footsteps.
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