Smiling Men with Bad Reputations

Professional ratings<table><tbody><tr><th scope="col" colspan="2">Review scores</th></tr><tr><th scope="col">Source</th><th scope="col">Rating</th></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Allmusic/Hb8cU8Fb">Allmusic</a></td><td> <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/r40562">[1]</a></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p><i>Smiling Men with Bad Reputations</i> is the 1971 solo debut <a href="/facts/Album/C3kkyHHT">album</a> by <a href="/facts/Mike_Heron/tv0YwLjH">Mike Heron</a> of the <a href="/facts/Incredible_String_Band/m35qfuoT">Incredible String Band</a> (ISB).
</p><p>Listeners of The Incredible String Band can look here for what would be Heron's influence on future ISB albums. The trademark folk and Celtic style remained intact, but Heron added his own influences of <a href="/facts/Progressive_rock/79MRoIU7">progressive rock</a> to the repertoire. This, more or less, was his attempt at creating a commercialized sound to his music. Tracks like "Feast of Stephen" are clear evidence that Heron desired to create rock-orientated pieces. Still, Heron had folk pieces with tracks like "Flowers of the Forest", with Richard Thompson on lead guitar. Heron's output would continue to show a trend in this direction for much of his solo career, and his remaining time with the ISB.
</p><p>"Warm Heart Pastry" finds Heron backed by <a href="/facts/Pete_Townshend/A4VtLnqj">Pete Townshend</a>, <a href="/facts/Keith_Moon/aAczTLsu">Keith Moon</a> of <a href="/facts/The_Who/Pnc4Rbnd">The Who</a>, and <a href="/facts/Ronnie_Lane/LR58cyJa">Ronnie Lane</a> of <a href="/facts/Small_Faces/uLgXQ0x8">Small Faces</a> (as Tommy & The Bijoux).
</p><p>The 1991 reissue features two bonus tracks, with <a href="/facts/Jimmy_Page/b3f0pxDN">Jimmy Page</a> guesting on "Lady Wonder" and <a href="/facts/Elton_John/DCPCRafW">Elton John</a> on "Make No Mistake".
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Smiling Men with Bad Reputations