Smiler (album)
| Smiler | ||||
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| Studio album by Rod Stewart | ||||
| Released | 4 October 1974 | |||
| Recorded | Morgan Studios, London and The Wick, Richmond November 1973-May 1974 | |||
| Genre | Rock and roll, folk rock, blue eyed soul | |||
| Length | 42:24 | |||
| Label | Mercury | |||
| Producer | Rod Stewart | |||
| Rod Stewart chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Smiler | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| Robert Christgau | B− |
| Rolling Stone | (mixed) |
| Džuboks | (mixed) |
Smiler is Rod Stewart's sixth album, fifth solo 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 had done before, including covers of Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke and Bob Dylan songs, as well as a duet with Elton John of John's song "Let Me Be Your Car". 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. [1] The release of the album itself was held up for five months due to legal problems between Mercury Records and Warner Bros. Records.[2] This album sold 1 million copies worldwide.
Musicians appearing on the album included members of Stewart's band Faces, as well as frequent collaborators Martin Quittenton (guitars), Pete Sears (bass & keyboards), and Mickey Waller (drums), who had become something of a second band for Stewart.
A 1991 CD compilation called 'back 2 back – 2 for 1' combined Smiler with Gasoline Alley. However, tracks 2, 9 and 10, were left out on this release.
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