I din't know how or why it happened but The Smiths totally flew under my musical radar. I know next to nothing about them and it was only a few months ago I knowingly heard one of their songs which was on an 80s music compilation disc I picked up at my local thrift shop. That song was ' How Soon Is Now ' and I liked it. Earlier today st the same thrift shop I picked up ' The Smiths Best 1 ' and ' The Smiths Best 2 ' Haven't played them yet. What can I expect ?
Jangling guitars, great lyrics and singing. Superb songwriting. They are a real love them or hate them band. I know very few people who are ambivalent towards them.
Always loved the songwriting and Marr's guitar. Morrissey's voice took me a while to get past because it was unique at the time, maybe not as much these days. Great band.
...not sure how much of your Best of’s show up on here, but this one is pretty essential in my opinion.
I never cared for Morrissey's vocals. My brother would argue otherwise, but I've always loved Johnny Marr's riffs. His riffs are unconventional but they brilliant none the less. Never been tempted by a Morrissey solo album. But when Marr started releasing solo albums in 2013 I was completely on board.
This Charming Man.. Definitely Ill vote for the guitar player. All Original The Smiths.. Nice to listen on any radio. its very warm on my tube amp.
The self titled record is the starting point. The Queen is Dead is their masterpiece, and one of the best albums of the eighties.
They clicked with me because of Johnny Marr's guitar and Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce's rhythm section. Some excellent, lightly dancy grooves with ringing, complex-but-catchy riffs. How Soon Is Now is the song that first hooked me, too. The two Best albums are beloved by many and were staples until the reissues came out. They don't have everything great, but unless you decide you wanna own all their albums and a couple other compilations, they'll keep you covered forever. Ask is my favorite track.
There is no good or bad place to start with the Smiths. Their entire catalogue is consistently good. Even their compilations, with b-sides and odd tracks, feel like albums and are as great as their proper studio albums. Also, Johnny Marr was just a fantastic guitar player. He didn't solo much, but his rhythm playing created so many wonderful textures and sounds that inspired so much of British alternative music to come. Here is Noel Gallagher talking about the Smiths. At 2:58 Noel "proves" why the Smiths never wrote any bad songs: "You never really hear any unreleased Smiths songs. All the stuff they released. That was it -- that was all they ever written! So there must have never been s***! Or you would have heard of it!" Can't argue with Noel's logic.
this! oh, Morrissey also had a great sense of humour in his writing. (something I wish he would find again...)
I enjoy the Smiths If you liked How Soon is Now, you already know if you like Morrissey's voice. So you're set to go. They lean toward the depressive side of things, but some great songs.
The songwriting is amazing and Johnny Marr is a fantastic guitar player. Morrissey's vocals aren't for everybody, but his lyrics and delivery is heartfelt.
The lyrics. There is a great deal of British humour in there, very localised in the reference points. But, like the sleeve imagery, once you get the joke it always makes you smile. Then add that gorgeous sound, the irresistible lift as those chorus chords kick in...wonderful stuff.
If the lyrics "love is a four letter word" get you and you like references like "I am the son and heir of no one in particular", you are in for a good ride. The guitar textures are a bonus.
I’d say so. The songs on HoH were largely done live or in a single take as BBC radio sessions and they’re super tight.
