So happy to see the early love for Strangeways and A Rush and a Push. For me, Strangeways is their best album. A Rush and a Push is great. I adore that vocal effect at the start of it. And that lyric "but don't mention love" is classic Morrissey.
Johnny Marr with Modest Mouse - We were dead before the ship even sank. As good as any Smiths album. Easily.
Rush and a push. First Smiths song i ever listen to. By my 16 a then recent friend who by now is like a brother had an original cassette of Strangeways and he put it playing, saying is classmates all hated it. I loved it since the begining, specially when side B started (you know what Im talking about). I dont think he explored the Smiths that much since, but me after a year i was already turning to Morrissey stuff since i had consumed all the Smiths I could. Rush and a push. 4/5
Yes. Isaac Brock is a better lyricist than Morrissey (I know. Is that even possible?). He might not be a better singer. Give it a listen. I know I'm getting off topic, so apologies but if you love the smiths. Give this a chance.
A Rush and Push and the Land Is Ours: Beautiful intro with the vocal effects, drums and harpsichord? Love the production:. There is a lot of space and air. Very unique song: Both musically and melody wise. I can’t name a Smiths song I think sounds like this. I have no idea what the song is about but the lyrics are pure brilliance and love the vocal inflection/delivery. Case in point: “Some eighteen months ago I traveled to a mystical time zone And I missed my bed And I soon came home”. Great way to start things off. 5 out of 5 ranking.
Sorry, this might be the strongest "we'll have to agree to disagree" I've ever uttered. I loathe, abhor, and detest Modest Mouse, and as for the idea that Brock is a better lyricist than Morrissey, well, I don't want to tick off Turk Thrust again, so I'll just say that I disagree vehemently with that notion. (And yes, I've heard that album.)
Well for the sake of love, peace and harmony. (Maybe in the next world) Let's just agree to disagree. I mean you're obviously wrong of course but that hasn't stopped others.
"A Rush And A Push And The Land Is Ours" Strangeways is an album with a beautiful and lush production. I bought it on the day of release, and it is without doubt the best-sounding piece of Smiths vinyl that I own. The problem I have with it is that it contains a few songs that just don't appeal to me - at least not as much as virtually all the earlier songs do. However...it's not a problem to begin with as "A Rush..." gets the album off to a fantastic start with a confident bouncy stride. I didn't even realise there were no guitars in it until I read Simon Goddard's book. Nice tune, gorgeous transition into the chorus, and a very satisfying rolled 'r' from Morrissey. I've no idea what it's about, but it's the most infectious track on the album. 5/5.
Love the lyric on this one. I actually really like this as the first track plus the overdubbing here is pretty neat. I don't really get sick of it, and it's always pretty good. 5/5
Strongly agree. 5/5 P.S. I'm done lurking. Strangeways is total departure from their prior work. So of course Rush and Push is different. Doesn't make it any less powerful.
‘A Rush and a Push’ is a wonderfully evocative opener for The Smiths’ swansong (the best of their four albums, in my opinion). At times haunting, jaunty, humorous and melancholic, it’s a great song and I was pleased to see it finish second in a recent Strangeways poll on here. 5/5
Ah, too bad I missed that poll. Strangeways really is an incredible and under-appreciated album. I totally get why Morrissey and Marr have stated that it's their favorite.
Yes, this was the backdrop the first time I saw Morrissey live in 1991. I bought the t-shirt with this image on & wore it to death for a couple of years until I lost it in the sea whilst holiday in Greece; Harvey Keitel’s face last seen floating off towards Albania.....
I also saw him at New York’s Madison Square Garden back in 1991, sold out show. I remember that backdrop picture.
In case anyone’s unfamiliar with the uncropped source of the cover photo. I agree that the cropped version is a rather bland image.
