Smiler (album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Smiler
Type = Album
Artist = Rod Stewart


Released = October 1974
Recorded = ?
Genre = Rock, Folk-rock
Length = 42:24
Label = Mercury Records
Producer = Rod Stewart
Reviews =
* Allmusic Rating|2|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:4c8j1vyjzzma~T00 link]
*"Rolling Stone" (not rated) [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/rodstewart/albums/album/244153/review/5945739/smiler link]
Last album = "Sing It Again Rod"
(1973)
This album = "Smiler"
(1974)
Next album = "Atlantic Crossing"
(1975)

"Smiler" is Rod Stewart's fifth album, and final album for Mercury Records, released in 1974 (see 1974 in music). It became the first album by Rod Stewart as a solo artist to become critically panned although it reached number 1 in the UK album chart It stalled at number 13 in the US). The album was largely considered to be an unadventurous retread of what he'd done before, including covers of Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke and Bob Dylan songs. Stewart's one attempt at adventurousness was a cover of Carole King's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" where 'Woman' is switched to 'Man'. This track was selected for special derision by critics. [http://www.superseventies.com/stewartrod5.html] The release of the album itself was held up for five months due to legal problems between Mercury Records and Warner Bros. Records. [http://www.rodstewartfanclub.com/about_rod/disco/album_detail.php?album_id=17]

Track listing

All songs written by Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood except where indicated.

#"Sweet Little Rock 'N' Roller" (Chuck Berry) – 3:43
#"Lochinvar" (Pete Sears) – 0:25
#"Farewell" (Martin Quittenton, Rod Stewart) – 4:34
#"Sailor" – 3:35
#"Bring It On Home To Me/You Send Me" (Sam Cooke) – 3:57
#"Let Me Be Your Car" (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) – 4:56
#"(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Man" (Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Jerry Wexler) – 3:54
#"Dixie Toot" – 3:27
#"Hard Road" (Harry Vanda, George Young) – 4:27
#"I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face" Instrumental (Alan Jay Lerner, Frederic Loewe) – 1:32
#"Girl from the North Country" (Bob Dylan) – 3:52
#"Mine For Me" (Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney) – 4:02

Trivia

An Estonian rock band, Smilers, got the name from this album.