Patti Smith

"Easter" is the fourth studio album by American musician Patti Smith, released on March 6, 1978, by Arista Records. The album was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City, and produced by Smith and her band, which included Lenny Kaye on guitar, Ivan Kral on bass and guitar, Jay Dee Daugherty on drums and Richard Sohl on piano. The album was Patti Smith's most commercial and polished release to date, and marked a departure from the raw, punk-influenced sound of her previous albums.

One of the main highlights of the album is the single "Because the Night", which was co-written with Bruce Springsteen and became a hit for Smith, reaching the top 20 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK Singles Chart. The song's success helped to boost the album's sales, and it reached number 47 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The album also features the track "Easter" which is a powerful and emotional tribute to Smith's late brother Todd, who died of leukemia, and it features a strong gospel-like melody that conveys the feeling of mourning, but also the hope of resurrection. The song "Rock n Roll Nigger" is also a notable one, it is a powerful and highly political song that deals with themes of race and identity, and it was one of the most controversial tracks of the album.

The album's musical style is a mix of rock, punk and a touch of gospel influences. Patti Smith's lyrics are introspective, personal and highly poetic, and deal with themes of love, loss, identity and spirituality. The album also features some experimental elements, such as the use of electronic instruments and sound effects, which add a sense of texture and depth to the overall sound.

Easter received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its more polished sound, Smith's powerful and emotive performances, and the ambitious, poetic lyrics. The album was a commercial success, reaching number 47 on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over 500,000 copies in the United States. It also earned Patti Smith a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for the song "Because the Night".