Meat Is Murder

oooo scratch my name on your arm with a fountain pen

-1 for Morrissey def a 3.5

umm.. vegetarian propaganda?!

idk if it's controversial to say this is the worst smiths record but I think it might be. it's j not nearly as memorable as others.

3,5/5 Liebe die whimsicalness Tolle Vocals Denke es ist nicht deren bestes Album

I like the Smiths, but do all of their albums need to be on the list? They can't all me must-listens before death. Granted, this one is pretty good. Love the bassist from the Smiths and he does some of his best work on this one.

Liked this more than I thought I would. Not a great album, but has moments that are interesting. Hard to relate to some of the material that is very much geared towards a British audience. Liked the message in "Meat is Murder". 3/5 Good, but probably won't listen again

I know a lot of Smiths songs without knowing which albums they’re on. There are a lot of other songs I like a lot more, curious to find out if they’re on an album(s) that shows up later on my list. Johnny Marr really is great. The band is a lot better than Morrissey solo stuff.

A unique turn in the mid-80's for a soon to be genre defining band. I think it's kind of funny Morrisey didn't let the band get photographed eating meat for promotion. Increasing the political activeness over a very aesthetically good album, great bass and guitar work

cant stand morrisseys voice, sorry

Nice, becomes a little repetitive, Morrissey does Morrissey things👍 favorites: The Headmaster Ritual, What She Said Least: Well I Wonder is kinda annoying

Forgettable - Puis les vaches en fond là c'est bon hein on s'en branle

This is a fine listen highlighted by punchy crisp bass lines. I would be unfair to down rate Morrissey bc he's a jackals so I'll do it cause I hate his voice

Okej album. Inte lika vass som The queen...

в целом норм, гитарки звучат сочненько

é um clássico e tals, mas meio chato de ouvir de cabo a rabo

Always distinct from other bands with the voice and guitar work. I’ve always had some appreciation for The Smiths’ sound, but they aren’t a favorite.

Eat while eating a big juicy hamburger. the US version contains, How Soon is Now? Which is the best Smith’s song, IMO. The rest of the album is full of known Smith’s songs. They just aren’t really spectacular to the non-smith fans… 3.5/5

Morrissey didn't really do it for me, and although Marr was a pretty cool gutarist, the Smiths always felt underwhelming. Theres no doubt they wrote some great tracks and lyrically at times, it was impressive, but overall they didnt quite do it for me.

This album epitomizes my issues with The Smiths. As always, I love the guitar work and riffs. I also think Morrissey writes a good lyric. However, it seems like he writes his lyrics, and then comes in and just makes up a tune that has no relation to what the band is doing, like a five year old making up a tune. And it doesn't really work for me most of the time. I think The Headmaster Ritual and Well I Wonder are the strongest songs all around.

The last track is so Corny 😭 none the less the rest songs tell some really interesting storys and with some nice sounding/jamming instrumentals.

It’s like The Queen is Dead but not as catchy or funny or well written. 5/10

Toto album jsem již slyšela a z celé diskografie The Smiths je mé nejméně oblíbené. Je zde očividná snaha o nějaký sociální "dopad", témata textů jsou explicitně politická. Vyznívají však poněkud naivně a povrchně - veselé a upbeat melodie často nekorespondují s textem a tento kontrast se mi často velice líbí, jenže u smithsáků to spíš působí okázale a prostě to nevyvolá vůbec žádnou emoci, nesedí mi to. Některé texty však byly dost dobré (The Headmaster Ritual, Barbarism Begins at Home) - hodně písniček poukazuje na chyby školního systému/výchovy, což je dodnes velice relevantní téma. Mínusem je repetitivnost písniček celkově, není moc velká varieta melodií a Morrissey vesměs zpívá stále podobným způsobem. Ve výsledku mi to ale zas tak moc nevadí, protože smithsácká formula prostě funguje. Meat Is Murder, hlavní písnička stejnojmenného alba, má být jakýsi vrchol alba a je až bolestně očividné, o co se snaží. V té době to jistě bylo dost revoluční a punkové, vegetariánství bylo v 80. letech docela nový koncept, ale dnes mi to již vyznívá jaksi povrchně a neupřímně... Ale celkově s poselstvím souzním, ač vegetariánem nejsem. A hodně cením experimentování s industriálními zvuky. Kéž by Smiths byli bývali tohle zkoušeli častěji. Nejlepší písničky: I Want the One I Can't Have, Well I Wonder Nejhorší písničky: What She Said Hodnocení: 6/10

Bit sad

Band carried Morrissey on their backs.

Not to be that person who says "all their songs sound the same to me" but all their songs sound the same to me.

Not really my thing, but I can appreciate the influence. I had hipster friends back in 2011 that reeeally were into The Smiths and I can see why. Rating based on my personal tastes, if I were to try to be objective it would probably be a 4 or a 5.

OK, it turns out Morrissey's vocals aren't nearly as offensive and annoying to me now that I'm an old man. Whether that says more about him or me, I don't know, but at least listening to this didn't piss me off. I'll also say there was a lot of musical passages that were really interesting — guitar work and band interplay that was great. I'm far from ready to declare myself a fan. I do tire of Morrissey in this context after a few songs — as creative and singular a vocalist as he is, I do hear similar melodic ideas recur and there's something about his delivery and approach that just doesn't turn me on. There are some lyrics that are brilliant, and others that are less so, and the barking on "Barbarism" and the whole vibe of "Ruffians" and other passages took me away from really digging this. There was also a slap bass line somewhere in there that, while technically on point, was not working for me. But, my knee-jerk reaction of thinking this is unlistenable has definitely been dismantled. Still, don't go buying me Smiths' merch for Christmas. Deal?

3/4

It’s the Smiths

jos kahtellaan muita britpopin järkäleitä niin joo tämä on kuunneltavampaa.. mutta miksi, mutta miksi, pitää laulajalla olla LUUMUA KURKUHUSSA KIINNI!!! köh köh tee näin yskäise se saatanan räkäpallo sieltä pois kuulostaa niin vitun paskalta, holy. meat is murder. (three different ones)

Rough song to end on, didnt realize how literal they meant that with the album.

Some good songs here. It's a pretty solid 3.5 for me I think.

Catchy album for sure. Reminds me of The Cure but happier. Doesn’t sound typical of mid 80s radio pop. Nice chorusy electric guitars, driving drums, and crisp acoustic guitars with vocals reminiscent of Robert Smith of The Cure.

day 31. well, after seeing the title I was bracing myself for what was to come, but thankfully only the title track was preachy (and feels very juvenile… not a fan). My only previous knowledge of The Smiths came from the movie 500 Days of Summer (oops), so I always thought they were a band for more hipster kids than me. I still mostly have that impression after listening, but they’re alright. I found the first half to be more off-putting to me, too poppy for the talk about wanting to die and whatnot, and overly simplistic/repetitive melodies that made me quickly tire of Morrissey’s voice. But they settled into more of a groove on the second half and the songs took on a tone more fitting to their lyrics, which made me appreciate them more. I really liked the four-song stretch from That Joke to Barbarism. That lifts the album for me and may give me something to come back to. 3/5 faves - Barbarism Begins at Home, Well I Wonder, That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore, Nowhere Fast

My streak of listening to literally anything other than The Smiths is finally over. I finally failed to outrun the Mozz. It's not the worst album, I suppose, although sometimes I found myself really wanting to listen to R.E.M. The underlying arrangements here are fantastic, no doubt thanks to the work done by Marr and Andy (rest in peace). However, Morrissey's vocals are so...? Maybe my hatred of the man taints how I feel about his voice. Sometimes he's alright, but when he really starts putting his voice out there, it's insufferable. Is this truly the most influence Andy ever has on the band's sound? Forgive me for honestly wanting a bit more of him... A wistful and wincing 3.5/5.

I liked this more than I expected to. Still a 3.

"I think about life / And I think about death / And neither one particularly appeals to me." Yeah, it shows.

Muito melhor do que eu esperava, principalmente a mensagem, muito bom.

It wasn't bad but definitely not my kind of music.

not their best

i like the vibe actually

Not my thing but interesting album

Such musical talent that bends around Morrissey vocals. Very odd but it works.

The Smiths!!! They will always have a place in my melancholic heart. This is not my favourite album of theirs but I do still enjoy their sound.

This album was fine, but not my favorite. I will likely not be listening to The Smiths on my own accord ever, but I understand the appeal! Also, weird thought, but I think that they make music that would sound AWESOME in concert. I'm imagining all of them just jamming out onstage.

none of the songs are bad but none are great either the lyrics are really good but with the lead singer's voice, all the songs sound the same

First full Smiths album listened to - and I got a Morrissey one earlier this week. This is better than that was - the guitar work makes a difference and the rhythm section's generally tighter. But it still doesn't really move me, certainly not on the only listen I managed. Perhaps if I listened to it more I'd get into it, but I was never one of the cool kids. It's perfectly fine. I wouldn't necessarily skip a track if it came on randomly, but I'm unlikely to go and seek this out again.

Pretty decent album

Dit is absoluut niet het beste album van The Smiths, maar omdat ik wel stiekem beetje van The Smiths houd, verdient dit wel een paar sterretjes. Gitarist Johnny Marr en bassist Andy Rourke dragen de band, vooral op dit album.

Try as I might I've never managed to get into the Smiths. Everything is there it's just that all the songs sound so samey and limp. Sorry. It doesn't bother me in the slightest what Morrissey's opinions on anything are now but it's that Johnny Marrs guitar riffs just sound insipid.

Rock alternativo. Ni fu ni fa.

I was going to say this sounds like proto Morrissey, but upon looking up how to spell his name I saw that he is the lead singer of this band... where he got his start in music... It's alright. Although it isn't particularly gripping it is still enjoyable and pretty good for the most part.

So much of The Smiths no longer works for me. A relisten is always good but a listen to less familiar tracks leaves me cold.

Tykkään kyllä! Ehkä ei lemppari Smiths mutta takuuvarma. 3/5

Takuuvarmaa Smithsiä, vaikkei todellakaan ihan parasta. Barbarism on hieno bangeri ja melkein nostaa koko levyn neljään tähteen. Olkoon kuitenkin kolme.

Good

The Smiths are always good, but still kind of overrated. This one might be my least favorite (but still good nonetheless).

The Smiths are always good, but still kind of overrated. This one might be my least favorite (but still good nonetheless).

Good album, that in my playlist from time to time, but a bit overrated in my opinion

The Smiths are always good, but still kind of overrated. This one might be my least favorite (but still good nonetheless).

mixed, some really good tracks but overall not one of my favourite smiths albums

Enjoyable in parts, but there are better Smiths albums for me.

One of the better bands to come out of the 80s. Morrissey is still an arse.

Lyrically, Morrissey is as provocative as ever, but vocally and musically, he and his bandmates seem middle of the road on this one. Even the great Johnny Marr doesn't seem to be do anything innovative most of the time. Maybe they were still used to singles at the time, so putting together a complete and cohesive album wasn't yet their thing. I still really liked That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore, Barbarism Begins at Home, and the title track (even if it is heavy-handed).

First listen. The music is pretty good. Shame the vocals are somewhat off-putting with the droning, echoey, wailing. Album ends on a real downer with the title track. Average rating 3/5. Favorite track: What She Said. That one rocks.

Standard smiths fair

This is a good smiths record

A lot of the tracks suffered from a feeling of the same vocals, but that’s kind of the thing with Morrisey. I enjoyed the two listens, and would probably give it another listen.

Nothing really stood out on this album for me. If i was going to put on a Smiths record, it would be the Queen is Dead over this one.

I don't like this one as much as The Queen is Dead. And since I gave that one a 4, I only have one place to go with this one.

Yeah I don't like this one as much as The Queen is Dead. It's a little less interesting. They hadn't quite found their pop sensibilities yet, if they ever wanted any. Don't get me wrong there are cool songs on here but nothing that stood out or wowed me. Will probably listen again. 3

Bra, men ikke helt min greie.

3.5

this is my second album of the smiths. i'm struck by how calm the smiths' punk is when compared to the punk of the late seventies and early eighties. it certainly has a moody edge, though. the smiths do go harder in some songs, but nowhere near the level of, say, the clash or the ramones. the album comes across as inconsistent. it can be catchy with witty lyrics, but flat at other times. johnny marr's guitar playing is absolutely on point, though. "barbarism begins at home"? killer. some of meat is murder comes across as holier-than-thou. i know how much of an asshat morrissey is, and clearly we can see him showing his pretentious jerk colors just by these lyrics from 1984. i mean, my god, "meat is murder" is absolutely over the top and unnecessary, morrissey. don't you know you can catch more flies with honey?

I enjoyed this well enough, but I didn't find it to be as engaging as the other Smiths album that I've reviewed as part of this project. While "The Queen is Dead" was mopey and felt pretty gothic in nature, this album just felt mopey. I did pick up on the subtle aspects of rockabilly on this album, too; fortunately those sounds were minimal, as I am most assuredly not a fan of that. Still, it had much of that 80s alt-rock and post-punk vibe and guitar rhythms that I enjoy, which was ultimately probably what kept this album going for me.

Instant classique Mais pas mon bref des Smiths Écoute le matin tranquille

What not getting railed by Johnny Marr does to an mf

Morrissey aka peak cringe personified. He makes pretty good music though

More New Wave, meh

I like the music, too bad morrissey is involved.

Not a huge fan of Morrissey’s voice, but I really liked the music and lyrics! Torn between three and four stars, decided it would be a four star album for me with a different singer lmao.

A good listen, but not more than that.

The second major label release from the Smiths marks their highest watermark for chart success, but still doesn't share the imaginative nature of other efforts. It is easy to see the lyricism and unique jangle pop that made them popular here, but it is lacking some of the notable singles or other dark love tones that would go on to define the band. If this were any other band's effort I feel like this would be an amazing success, but we know even more was to come.

Fairly non-descript alt-rock. Not objectionable, but a bit dull. Standout is "Meat is Murder".

Well you could listen to this album on a night when youre feeling melancholy, and wanting to stick two fingers up to all that's wrong in the world... arguably a common theme with Morrisey, but the Smith's have better albums in their catalogue. Some strange mash up tracks... Rusholme Ruffians, = charming man v's elvis Marie's the name of his latest flame.

Johnny Marr really is an underrated guitarist, knowing just what tones to give each song and delicately weaving them around the other instruments. It’s just a shame Morrissey is in especially whiny form here.

Notbad

That’s the smiths for you

eu gosto do the smiths, por mais que o som deles seja bem anos 80, é interessante. eles entregam rock num formato mais leve e bonito. os vocais são suaves e poeticos, a guitarra tem passagens otimas e a sessão ritmica é bem expressiva e dançante.

3.7 - It has all the trappings of a great Smiths album, complete with over-the-top political musings (“Meat is Murder”), but without any real standout track. Exceptional guitar parts, especially on “Barbarism…”

I actuallyyyyy sort of liked it. Vocals are annoying but I really enjoyed the shoegaze-y sound of it overall. Kinda comforting

Great, catchy guitar riffs. A few fantastic songs, but way too many with Morrisey being really obnoxious. Overall, a solid album but no where near as enjoyable as their followup album “the queen is dead”. I was eating a turkey sandwich during the title track and felt really guilty.

Tem umas músicas boas e outras meh. Morrissey te odeio espero que morra.

I enjoy listening to the Smiths. A picture of an American soldier in Vietnam graces the cover, with "Meat is Murder" inscribed on his combat helmet. The original photo has the inscription “Make Love Not War” and the actual soldier was unhappy that this band changed the saying for the album. There's a lot of irony in the photo. I enjoyed the tracks "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" and "Well I Wonder". Four stars. Great music for hanging out at home, just don't try to explain the cover to your children.

Well, I don't love the Smiths. Interesting commentary though

This is not my jam- but I get why people like them

Okay I thought I hated The Smiths at first. But then grew to like them a bit. But the first impression stuck. Overall I found the album mostly meh but sound good songs at the end.

The vocals were pretty shit on this one. Sounds like it's inspired by the punk movement. 2 Overall pretty ok though 3

Fuck Morrissey.

Not bad

I’ve listened to one other Smiths album (The Queen Is Dead) which I thought was ok, but it didn’t blow me away. It didn’t make me see Morrissey’s supposed genius, so let’s find out if this album sways me. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: The Headmaster Ritual, Barbarism Begins At Home This album started off strong. I really enjoyed the first couple of songs and the last couple, but the middle was very… well, mid. Morrissey continues to caterwaul nonsense in if faux croon which often makes me cringe with the silliness he spouts - Nowhere Fast highlighted this when he spoke about wanting to flash the Queen. I’m no royalist by any means, but this is a grown man with a litany of fans who call him a genius. I’m fully aware of how contrarian I sound when I say this, and I know everyone would disagree, but I just feel the Smiths would be a better band with a different singer. The rest of the music is generally interesting and fun to listen to until the singing starts. Just my thoughts!

Meh. They all sound the same but not unlikeable.

Not my favorite Smiths album, but definitely listenable...

Some of The Smiths' best grooves, but also some of their most meandering and forgettable songwriting

Another album that passed me by at the time. I loved The Smiths when they first appeared all over Peel, but my interest waned over time, as they felt a bit same-y after a while. I didn’t mind this, but the songs did sound like Smiths songs, for good or ill. I checked out the lyrics as this played, due to Morrissey’s reputation as a wordsmith. Not bad, but he did / does have somewhat of a preoccupation with death, it seems. The fact he is a first class ar*e these days has stopped me re-evaluating this band and to be honest, this feels to me to be of it's time. A lot of the values and feelings that Morrissey tries to capture and sum up here seem long gone, not least in Morrissey’s ever-narrowing world view. The cabaret version of His Latest Flame didn’t do much to convince me either. I quite liked the closing, title track until the squeaky voices came in. For me, a mixed bag.

I wanted nothing to do with this. More to the point, I wanted nothing to do with Mozza. It's a decent album though from a time when Mozza wasn't being a complete twat. Rusholme has an ACE rhythm going off. I almost danced. Nine songs at 39 minutes is the perfect length for an album. It wasn't quite as strong as I remembered. I'm pleased that I have managed to move on from believing that The Smiths would have a legacy that would last 50 years plus.

This is a minor project in the Smith's discography, but it's still good (only not memorable).

I was never a big fan of the Smiths, but the entire early alternative rock genre has really grown on me in the last several years. Although not at good as The Queen is Dead, I actually enjoyed this album front to back and paused to wonder why I don't listen to more of the Smiths.

Some high points, some filler. Gets a full star extra for the bass outro on Barbarism Begins At Home.

I think I found more value here than in The Queen Is Dead, but I still have a tough time giving it a 4. I love the sound they achieve – it's hard to pull off that distant, droning vocality – but I don't find the spectrum of music to be incredibly diverse across the album, and I'm not sure how I feel about the last track.

The most cheerfully sad bastard music

An edgy album for a teenage vegetarian, shame it's morrissey tho 3 stars

meh

Just an average album

I like the guitar tones, but his singing is pretty monotone. Great album name!

The music is fine, but can we please replace Morrissey's vocals with with William Hung's. "She bang!"

This is my least favorite smiths album. There are some decent riffs in some songs but upon this listen after decades of not hearing it didn’t evoke any reminiscence in me line usually happens when I hear the smiths. And the gratuitous dubbing of cow screams at the end of the title track is so quintessential morrissey and not in a good way. I’d give it 2 stars except I’m still on a post-Johnny Marr high so it gets extra credit.

Quote from high school while trying to puzzle through mousetrap car building: Josh: We should make the wheels really big. We could use records. Find a bad Smiths album or something. Sam: There are no bad Smiths albums, Josh.

Not only did I not hate this album, but I actually kind of enjoyed it. I listened to it two times in a row, one after the other, which tells me something. The album title and its track make a clear point of view about carnivorous diets. According to VegNews (https://vegnews.com/2013/6/vegnews-music-week-the-history-of-pop-music-and-vegetarianism), this album was a seminal moment in musical vegetarian activism. So it’s got that going for it. While the bass part on Barbarianism Starts At Home is rad, I’m still not sold on Morrisey’s voice. More so, it’s how he uses it. It’s OK most of the time but at other times it grinds my gears.

A good effort, but not the best Smiths album. Worth listening to

It's definitely the bridge between their debut and The Queen is Dead, but there's not a lot that stands out for me here. Great playing by Marr, but this is where Morrisey starts to get a bit grating.

There is some great Smiths material, and the album cover is iconic of the time...but listening back on this, while the sound is nostalgic it's not the songs of theirs I revisit.

I've learned that I like The Smiths.

The opening track, Headmaster Ritual was so British and sad, and was probably my least favorite from the entire album. Rusholme Ruffians had such an upbeat fun feel, so unlike The Smiths that I am more familiar with, that the rest of the album held.

It was not bad but it was definitely less enjoyable than the other Smiths' album that was generated here before (The Queen is Dead).

It's fine. Morrissey's fine. The Smiths are fine. It's all fine. I don't like it, I don't dislike it, I just want this review to stand once and for all so that I can stop writing down my opinions on Morrissey's sadness. Like, it's good, but it's a fucking bummer that I don't need right now. I also don't need it when I'm sad. Or when I'm happy. Or at all. It's just that, every time I think I'm done being served albums by Morrissey, or Neil Young, or Randy fucking Newman for christsake, then here comes another one. I want to hear music by bands that I've never heard of and be transported to strange new sonic landscapes, not hear Morrissey whine about how he doesn't have a girlfriend, or doesn't like his girlfriend, or whatever his fucking problem is. 3/5 Like I said, it's fine. Everything's fine. Stop asking

I had never listened to the Smiths before this but I see why they are considered legendary. Perfect rock-angsty-rainy weather music. The Headmaster Ritual especially stands out, but this album also suffers a bit from repetitiveness. Plus points for political messages ahead of their time, but minus points for Morrissey’s political views later on.

We get it you're vegan...just kidding, this one is pretty good. A little more inconsistent than my favorite works by them, but there are still stand-outs here and there, like "I Want the One I Can't Have" and "Nowhere Fast".

Another one where the style is so strong that everyone of their songs sounded the same, but I can appreciate how obvious the style is. Maybe I'll like this more in the future after a few more listens.

I only have two artists blocked on Spotify, and Morrissey is both of them. Unblocked just to listen again. Still a decent enough album if it perhaps feels a bit more "samey" than it used to, it now feels like once you've heard one or two Smiths songs you've heard them all.

It's fine I guess, nothing that stands out too much for me personally. The Headmaster Ritual and Nowhere Fast where a tad bit better than average.

Nice album, amazing writing

I wasn’t super into this one but I thought it was good sad 80s alt rock.

Not their best album but fits the mold

Gave this a couple listens and enjoyed the guitar work throughout. The vocal style started to click for me by the end but I'm not a big fan of it. Favorite: The Headmaster Ritual

Several of my friends were big fans of the Smiths and this album back in the day. I found them whiny and unlistenable, so I looked forward to see how my appreciation for them might have evolved since then. It had somewhat. Morrissey didn't seem nearly as whiny (until we got to "I Want the One I Can't Have," but which I found the only truly whiny and unlistenable song). The rest had some interesting lyrics and Morrissey does emote appropriately. What I really noticed was that I appreciated the music behind Morrissey quite a bit, which I assume has a lot to do with Johnny Marr and his guitar. Some really good stuff here. I appreciated this revisit quite a bit, but it's still not really going to be my thing.

Through the first couple of listens, I enjoyed the musical arrangements. I had no complaints, but I couldn't really focus on the lyrics at all. So, I sat down with the specific purpose of viewing the lyrics as I listened. During this lyrics exercise, I found myself uninterested and easily distracted. I would suddenly realize that I had walked into another room not even knowing how many tracks had actually played since I last was reading the lyrics. Then back to the computer and starting over with the last track that I remembered seeing the lyrics for. This routine repeated to make the 40-minute album perhaps a 90-minute event. I don't know if it was the lack of appeal of Morrissey's vocal stylings or the lyrics themselves...but I did still enjoy the musical arrangements...

Another album I would not have considered listening to if it weren't for this list.

I have to admit I quite enjoyed this, there's actually some great atmosphere and feel to some of the songs. And I did get to explain to the kids why Morrissey is such a disappointment, and how sometimes when people get older they become embittered and angry.

Not bad but a bit meh

I love a lot of Smiths songs but they aren’t on this one

Actually not too bad, but half of the album sounds similar and, well, Morrissey is a moron.

It's the smiths...

Listened to on 8/21/22 3/5 Favorite song: what she said Good album but nothing super memorable - the Smiths are great

The Smiths was ik net de laatste tijd veel aan het draaien (na de vorige keer dat ze hier in de lijst stonden), maar deze plaat kende ik nog niet. Weer tof, maar niet zo tof als The Queen is Dead, maar misschien nog wat langer proberen.

Ik krijg niet snel genoeg van de Smiths. Ook dit album is weer tof, maar niet hun beste naar mijn mening. (en in deze lijst hebben we ze nu wel vaak genoeg voorbij horen komen, toch?)

Woke hoor.

Rock blandito. Medio pop

Always a cool sound from the Smiths, especially considering the time period they were active, but this album lacked the grassroots sound that I preferred in their other works.

Unfortunately an album that seemed very monotonous to me, every song sounded very similar and didn't have much going on

Just not a Morrissey fan

Not too familiar with The Smiths' albums despite knowing dozens of their tracks - including, on this occasion, the excellent Headmaster Ritual, I Want the One I Can't Have and That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore (the point's been made to death, but how someone can write lyrics so sympathetic as the latter and turn into such an unsympathetic character himself is baffling...) As for the new discoveries: mostly pretty good. Some good up-tempo numbers on there like Barbarism Begins at Home and Nowhere Fast. It's a good album but lacking something that would elevate it to greatness. 3.5

SHACK strangling Scott in album form.

The bass line on Barbarism Begins at Home slaps. Also fuck Morrissey.

Pretty good.

good voice, bad man

Not great, not terrible. Some interesting songs but the masterpieces are lacking. Then there’s Morrissey. I hate him but he is a master wordsmith - witnessed in probably the most elegantly put vegetarian call to arms title track: ’And the flesh you so fancifully fry Is not succulent, tasty or kind It's death for no reason And death for no reason is Murder’ And the whole album is littered with brilliant turns of phrase - as is typical of whatever this fucker writes. Begrudgingly few people are of this caliber - maybe Ray Davies? As much as I love the big Smiths songs - I never had the patience to sit through the albums in depth in the past - and while im sure there are some greats - this one is average.

Solid

Pretty decent pop rock record. The Smiths are surprising in the way they can craft fun, poppy songs with such dark subject matter. I know that Morrissey is a good singer, and the band wouldn’t have existed without him, but I’m just not that much a fan of his voice. This is where the poppy songs clash slightly, as the vocals sometimes prevent a full connection with the song.

I think this is the Smiths highest charting album. it's also my least favourite.

Estilo definido, pero demasiado parejos, monocordes, todos los temas. Básicamente, la misma base. Pop sencillo

not that interesting

I enjoy the smiths once in a while. Their sound is pleasant to listen to. Not my favourite album but it is okay. Favourite songs: - The headmasters ritual - That joke isn’t funny anymore

I’m a huge fan of The Smiths, but have never understood the fuss around this album. A slightly weaker collection of songs than large swathes of their output - not sure they ever put out an album that really did their catalogue justice. Still a favourite band, but something missing or something I’m missing on this one.

Some surprisingly good basslines! Morrissey's voice is not my jam though.

I like the Smiths in general, despite Morrissey being a piece of shit, so expecting to like this. Headmaster Ritual -- classic Smiths, a bit formulaic if you've heard their other stuff but I like it Rusholme Ruffians -- a little different; kinda dig it I wnt the one I can't have -- again, pretty classic Smiths, a bit too familiar What she said -- same as above; feel like this is minor, derivative Smiths for the most part Nowhere Fast -- another kind of more fun upbeat one Well I Wonder -- also a little more interesting than the others Barbarism Begins at Home -- like this one a bit more too Meat is Murder -- decent song, and pretty intense lyrics

ok

Helt bra album men int lika bra som the Queen is Dead och title tracken är snudd på pinsam, så otroligt melodramatisk fast jag själv inte äter kött. Gör man en protestsång borde den inte få vara så här predikande.

Decent. Nothing exciting

It's a unique sound but I don't really care for Morrissey. The album was a bit all over the place. Prefer a rawer punk sound.

Je découvre tranquillement le groupe et l’apprécie de plus en plus. La version US de l’album ainsi que les rééditions UK entre 1992 et 2011 incluent comme pièce no 6 How Soon Is Now?, ma meilleure pièce des Smiths. Le reste de l’album n’est pas aussi fort que cette pièce, mais les guitares de Johnny Marr sont intéressantes. Probablement pas le plus accessible des albums des Smiths. L’ajout d’effets sonores est aussi intéressant. Pièce préférée (ajoutée sur la version US): How Soon Is Now? (Probablement la meilleure pièce du groupe) Pièce préférée sur l’album original: Meat is murder

Solides Album wobei keiner der Songs an ihre größten Hits herankommt. Johnny Marr und Andy Rourke liefern wie gewohnt ab während sich Morrissey zwischen gesanglichen und lyrischen Glanzleistungen und unerträglich sein bewegt. Highlights sind für mich Well I Wonder und I want the one that I can't have.

Peppy little thing. Great beats decent lyrics.

There was a time when I couldn't stand The Smiths, but these albums - the albums of the 80s anyway - really hit for me now. Morrissey's voice still hits me as whiny and he doesn't seem like that great a guy nowadays, maybe. But I kind of love how tight the music is and how sloppy the lyrics are. It works for me.

Putting aside what a blooter he is, I simply don't like Morrissey's voice. Some of the music here is pretty fun, but struggling to hear quite what all the fuss is about. Never really given The Smiths a chance before because I've always considered them for soft lads. And, eh, not bad, but not mindblowing

Don't kill me, but I've yet to go all-in on The Smiths in my life and I'm not sure I ever will. I don't dislike them. Not at all. But I haven't had that eureka moment yet with this band, for whatever reason. I want to! I dig the voice, like the guitars, and could listen to "How Soon is Now?" on repeat. But whenever I've tried to listen to a whole album... the songs just don't completely win me over. : ( And speaking of singers who have pissed off their fans with their politics, how good are "Holy Wars" and "Hangar 18" on that Megadeth album? I could chop the thing off right there and it would get 5 stars from me. Unfortunately, I don't think there's anything else that quite reaches the level of those two, but still... freaking love how the guitars sound on that record. Maybe 3 and 1/2 stars?

The title alone makes me not want to listen to this. The music itself is fine. I think I like this more than The Queen Is Dead overall, even though The Queen Is Dead has higher highs. Still not enough to push it to a 3.5.

In line with what I’d expect from The Smiths / Donovan - fast strummed high guitar parts, solid singing that hangs out on the dominant of the chord most of the time.

Classic Smiths. Not really my bag, but still enjoyed listening. Some songs seem to sound the same.

ok sound

Great guitar work, but the actually songs seem quite bland to me, especially compared to The Queen is Dead.

How do I review this without offending all the cool cats? I found The Smiths whiny when surrounded by their music in Manchester as a kid. Now i've had a break, I can appreciate it more.

But does Murder is Meat?

A couple interesting sounds here or there, but nothing memorable.

Good, but not great

halfway through this album, these brooding pastel new wave rocks got whiney and a bit annoying. Not my favorite Smiths record. 2.75/5

It was alright. I was not familiar with any of the songs.

There is something wrong about the title, so I had to stop and think awhile. Then it occurred to me:- the description is factually incorrect. Murder is an action (verb), whereas meat is a product (noun), so you can't compare the two together. Therefore a more realistic description would be "meat is a dead animal". Or to flip it around, killing is murder. But I guess that header doesn't have quite the same impact. Nice guitar sounds though.

It didn't annoy me as much as I expected, but nothing stood out as great either.

Not bad. Didn't listen much to the lyrics, but melodically quite enjoyable. 3.5 I'd say but rounding down because I'd rather play their other album.

Very recognizable vocals by Morrissey, but overall the album doesn't convince. It felt to me like the songs did not really have a very recognizable identity and the whole album was just one (slightly whiny) giant blob.

Oké album. Maar niet echt memorabel. 'savour the flavour of murder' is wel een toplijn

I'm not really familiar with the Smiths beyond some cultural references and the song "This Charming Man". Album was fine. Didn't really surprise me, pretty much what I expected.

Dreamy vocals at times. I like the account of rhythms.

I’m not sure how I feel about morisseys voice, but this album was perfectly fine. I don’t have much to say about it other than that it was completely acceptable in terms of sound and lyrics

Hahaha ok I know the Smiths are iconic but I wasn't quite able to appreciate this as much as I should I think. Still some really important 80s sounds (guitar) and classsssssic 80s vocal style. Also last song and the album name are hilarious -- imagine pitching that to your entire band? "Ok what do you think if we write the last song and name the album about being vegetarian?".... Ill have to come back to some of their hits to be converted.

Enjoyable and musically interesting! I'm glad I finally gave the Smiths a go. I liked it but not sure I would listen again, hence the 3 for now.

A good album, but not one of my favorite Smiths albums.

A couple of classics

Great vibe/background music, not my typical taste but a good listen with some good licks and tabs

interesting 80s sounds

God guitar. Udemærket album. Har aldrig været den store fan

Altrock/punk med mening. Morrisey er for fed. Det samme med Marr (legende). Album der både mestrer og bryder med klassiske dyder. 3.5

indierock, fængende, sprød guitar, lyrisk

Never been much of a Smith's or Morrisey fan. This is the best of the bunch for them in my opinion, but that's really just a "taller than Micky Rooney" award.

Nothing exceptional for me but I did enjoy the background listen. 3.5

I enjoyed re-listening to this album, more than previously. Felt that it works as a whole album, rather than any standout tracks. Good guitars, good lyrics.

A singular band with a singular front man, there’s nobody quite like The Smiths. Highlights - Marr’s playing is superb (and got even better over the years), Lowlights - Morrissey’s schtick gets a little weary over a whole album; his songwriting improves too with later albums - more wit, less sentimentality (and the tunes improve too).

I know what the Smiths are about and don't mind them, but these vocal lines are really strange... cool but strange. It doesn't always fit though. A fair bit of the time it sounds like he's singing to a completely different song. This is the sort of thing I wanted to like a whole lot more than I actually did. 3/5.

Meh

not bad but quite forgetable at many moments

I'm somewhat indifferent to the Smiths. They have some pretty great singles, but the albums can feel samey. It's groundbreaking indie but nonetheless it feels dreary and self-indulgent. Still good for a listen, and I do like the hapless heartbroken Morrisey persona. 3*

Never been a fan. Morrisey comes across as super whiney and the tracks all sound very similar.

got a bit repetitive, but not the worst to listen to

Contains none of my favourite Smith's songs. It's not bad tho. Just not as good as I'd hoped.

classic smiths - intense album lyrically - still annoys me the melodies all sound the same to me, the vocals all the same five notes over and over

Morrisey sucks.

The band is really tight and complex, they stretch out songs and keep the album chugging. Then fucking Morrissey moans all over the damn thing. Plus, 'Death for no reason is murder'? Dickhead, there is a reason for killing a cow, I make a hamburger out of it and eat it. Piss off Morrissey.

Not really for me. I can get how people enjoy it, but seriously it gets far too preachy on Meat is Murder. It’s a fair point but executed pretty brutally, just like the animals are I suppose.

Pretty good early alt rock. Great composition and great voice.

Use of non-musical audio - the falling rain, buzzsaws and cows mooing - really adds to the atmosphere that this album set out to create. I enjoyed the slight dip into more funk elements in some of the tracks, but my biggest issue is the same one I have with all albums by the Smiths - I hate the way Morrissey sings.

“I’ve seen it happen in other people’s lives and now it’s happening in mine” Barbarism Starts at Home - awesome bass riffs and guitar work. Band is tight and technical and Morrissey makes a case for his talent

I'm not a huge fan of The Smiths, but I quite liked the album. We play a lot of them at work though so it gets a bit old for me

I enjoy the smiths but only half of the songs here are worth listening to for a non-fan. The title track is Morrisey at his most preachy. This is easily the weakest Smiths album.

This album was OK. Despite the great musicianship going on, I just couldn't get behind Morrissey's droning vocals which ruined it for me.

Kein Kommentar! Is Urlaub

Malgré un nom de scène des plus generiques qui n'inspirait rien de bien interessant, comme lors de la grande majorité des albums selectionnés par le gourou Dimery, force est de constater que cet album performé par une troupe de musiciens accompagnée de Morrissey a su me toucher.

Nicht genug Zeit gehabt. Klingt interessant aber sehr 80er

The Smiths... so good when I’m happy and need to be reminded that life sucks. Actually enjoyed this flashback. Solid album.

Not bad, apparently a start to the indie rock genre. I'll take their word for it but I wonder why this album was chosen when the review started with 'while not as good as these other two Smiths albums...'

Enjoyed this more than I wanted to. Good grocery store soundtrack (also I bought steak so clearly the message didn’t work)

I listened three times and had to actively look up online why the smiths don't suck. After doing that search, I think I get it. It's supposed to be funny and sarcastic. He'll say things like "My faith in love is still devout, I might walk home alone tonight" as a biting contrast. He'll also make fun of stupid kids by sarcastically saying that writing a name on your arm means the love is real. He is walking a line where you can't tell if he is being sarcastic or not at times. Is Meat is Murder actually preachy or is it criticizing the approach animal rights people? If you look at it all in a meta way, the depth of the album expands. Well I Wonder is the worst song on the album, while Rusholme ruffians and nowhere fast are the best songs. The bass is good, but his singing is shitty. I'm certain that this band goes over better in the UK because of all the political criticism.

Das Genere mag ich, aber es plätschert so vor sich hin. In der richtigen Stimmung gerne, aber so oft landet das sicher nicht auf dem Teller oder in der App. (Der "Hit" wurde zudem wohl erst später dem Album hinzugefügt.)

I don't think I love The Smiths. The album was interesting and I like their instrumentals. I don't love the vocals.

Like this more than Strangeways, they can get a little boring/drawn-out at times, but its really good for background music. Strong 3 Saved: The Headmaster Ritual, I Want the One I Can't Have

Tough one to rate. Clearly good music, virtuoso guitar work again, great voice and song writing. Not a fan of the constant depressing subject matter and whine to the singers voice. Their kinda the first pop punk emo band, but theyre better and they are pretty much the OGs of the genre as far as I can tell.

.

Is okay. Get bored of morrissey after so long.

Fine album. Its weird that The Smiths have such a unique sound that the my first thought 5 seconds into the first song was " Ahh yes, this is such a quintessential Smiths track" despite only listen to them once or twice before

Some good stuff, not a banger start to finish.

Ok for the background. Nothing more. A bit too melancholy for me

Ruchira: It's quite dreary. Not a vibe. Ryan: The Headmasters Ritual brings you straight into the album but as it goes on and on it becomes a nauseating listen as the jangling strings and voice remain and increase in deariness over the record.

7,5

The first song, The Headmaster Ritual, was very, very good. Rest of album's alright. 5/10

Litt mye rasist og militant vegetarisme i monitor

Was good but sounded a bit samey after a while.

Fine - didn't dislike it, probably won't listen again

Ok, si veo lo que dicen. Aunque empezó bien se desdibujo para el final.

Might have been revolutionary at the time. It didn't captivate my attention.

Fun but all the songs sound the same. Hate me for it

good album

Not my favorite but a few good tracks

4/10 - Reggae music, decent but without context for the songs they gave me no emotional resonance.

The least good of a great discography

About as good as I had expected

The Smiths are an outstanding band, though I do not feel this is an outstanding album. The songs within just don't go punch for punch with many of their other albums. It's still great music, just leaves something to be desired.

Figuring out the book this thing is based on is British in origin after making the unhappy discovery that Morrissey is behind a whopping 6 of it's entries, which is clearly too much even if you set aside his recent taste for right wing nationalism. The music is fine, the ostentatious doling about MUHDUH I could do without.

Good, sad

I've never listened to the album before, but I've heard some of the tracks. I love "The Headmaster Ritual". The rest are just ok. I'd prob give this a 3.5 but I am barely rounding down to 3.

-"headmaster ritual" rocks, this is known already - i never noticed how 80's the bass and drum sound bc i was only listening to marr -"barbarism" and "meat is murder" are interesting songs,,, this album is good ok fine. its the smiths rockabilly in a good way, but still not that good.

Track 1. The Headmaster Ritual Initial reaction was positive Track 2. Rusholm Ruffians Cute bass intro. Liked melody but little variation Track 3. Meh Track 5. The Joke isn't Funny Anymore. Hopeful start. Outro too long Track 6. Nowhere Fast Upbeat. Reminds me of America and other similar bands Track 7. Well I Wonder Nice

Title track sonically was compelling but the lyrics took me out of it. An ok album for the background.

Good

not bad but nothing really notable

It is an okay album with some pretty solid protest songs on it. Not something I think that I would actively seek out but worth the listen through. My top songs would be: Rusholme Ruffians, Nowhere Fast and Well I Wonder.

Same old smiths shit. Namesake of the album song is pretty good

No idea what I was getting myself into but I didnt really expect this beach rocky jam. On the cusp of being what the timothey chalemet character listens to in a teen movie

it was fine background music

not that interesting to me

pop rock. ca passe

I don't really know why, but I've never really liked The Smiths. They should be right in my wheelhouse of music I would like, but they just never really caught me like they seemed to get to others. Why are all of the songs so whiny?

I liked their sound. Couldn't really connect with the lyrics.

I went through a Smiths phase where their sad music clicked with me. It made me look forward to my next breakup, so I'd have just the right forlorn music to get me through. That phase has pretty much gone. I don't hate this, but I didn't really connect with this morose lyrics. The guitar and bass in particular carry much of this album. I was ready to give the album a solid 3 stars. Then I heard the title Track. It is terrible self righteous garbage. Morrissey has created more suffering than all of the slaughterhouses in Europe.

Not as bad as I thought but man did it get same

Meh, as músicas são todas iguais e parece que estão a tocar no fundo de um túnel.

Music is fine but lyrics lean too much into entitled whining like Morrissey's solo work, at least he was not overtly racist yet though

I like a little The Smiths... this was too much The Smiths lol

2,5

The bass line on Barbarism Begins at Home was fantastic. That’s about the best compliment I can come up with. Still don’t get the popularity. I’m glad that this is the third and final album from The Smiths that’s included on the list. However, I guess I still have to endure the solo Morrissey efforts…

Thanks to Smiths i listened all day The Cure and New Order. All in all i liked only one song.

Musically great, lyrically grating

Pretty average Smiths album.

I understand this is a popular album. The music is so fun and layered. Morrissey is deeply annoying, though. I found him to be whining throughout rather than singing. I can’t believe this is their only album to reach number one despite so many other works of theirs being much better in my opinion. By the end of it, I appreciated it for what it is. It’s a rebellious album that perhaps speaks to its time and in some ways ours. Again, the music is saucy and I enjoyed that. I hated the singing. Didn’t save any songs to my liked songs. Except for the Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore which I had already saved previously. The last three songs were really good too, just nothing I would want to return on a non-intentional basis. —— Poem —— Meat Is Murder The Smiths gears grind, go growl god, guard us un-godly ghouls guppies grown in greed grant us greater game against the grisly grime of the governing gentry

It’s Morrissey singing that annoying way that Morrissey sings song after song.

It just kinda phased in and out of existence as I listened to it. A whole lot of not much.

Lots of reviews here mentioning how odious Morrissey became, which is fair. I have a hard time with The Smiths. They were a band I loved as a teenager and that I eventually grew out of and felt a bit embarassed by so stridently identifying with a lot of their songs. Now, a fair bit older, I appreciate them differently. Johnny Marr stands out to me as one of the finest guitarists of his generation; Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce are fine musicians as well. This is probably my least favorite of their albums musically, but a so-so Smiths album is by no accounts bad. But then there’s Moz. Even if he didn’t make his turn towards the far-right, his lyrics, with some distance and perspective, are puerile. That the first song is about a cruel headmaster sums it all up: this is all schoolboy stuff. It works when you’re around that age, but I don’t see much insight here as a now older listener.

What I learned from listening to this album all the way through is that maybe I don't like the Smiths as much as I thought I did. I did not enjoy this record. I found myself getting unhappy as I went through the songs, not really liking most of them. There of course were several that I really did like, but overall, I don't think I would listen to this again. Weird revelation. Morrissey's voice really can grate after a while. (After reading the group reviews, I wish to add: 1. I listened to the original UK version, without How Soon Is Now. Including HSIN would bring this to 3 stars. 2) Marty is right and this is not a good way to be introduced to the Smiths.)

Morrissey is such an insufferable prick. This album isn’t great. But all The Smiths albums get an extra star for being major influences to some of my favourite bands.

The music is fine but I'm not a fan of Morrissey's singing voice or style. My impression is he seems to start a lot of sentences with 'and', plus the words are almost on the same note and then drop down a few notes to finish, and once I noticed this, I can't unhear it.

I like the lyrical stylings of the smiths, of course we all respect that. But they don't stick with me and make me have the feels, which is somewhat unfortunate. I think I may revisit the smiths every 5 years and see if they resonate with age? Or maybe I needed to listen younger.

It was good, but the title track is the worst part of the album. Just rating the music rather than the message, mixing animal distress sounds into your melody just isn't a good listen.

Not to my taste. Album felt a bit boring and droney vocals made me hope for the end of the album

I find the vocals to be mixed too low, throughout, and ironically I find Morriseys vocals to not be up to snuff on songs like I Want the One I Can't Have (waiter, my soup is terrible and the portion is much to small!). Songs like Rushhome Ruffians are really a miss for me. I think after hearing the wonderful Strangeways for the project (as well as The Queen is Dead and Hatful which I am very familiar with), Meat is Murder really comes up short.

Não consigo ouvir essa banda

Gonna be honest, his voice is so irritating and offputting on this one. The music is fine, generic 80s jangliness. He sounds like a mournful seal. Droning on about how miserable he is like an affected nan-child. And god, doesn't he just fucking whine about everything? Every single fucking song, the same uninterested dirge, maybe with a yodelly bit of falsetto chucked in. Something I've noticed about The Smiths is their singles collections are brilliant, and their albums are absolutely dire. So much boring, unimpressive, generic, jangly, throwaway filler. This one is nothing to write home about, definitely not worth the hype. The best thing about it is probably the guitar work on What She Said. Also I think vegetarianism suffers from insufferable, unlikeable, melodramatic bell ends like Morrissey being their main vocal supporters. He may be objectively and morally correct about meat, but him saying it diminishes the message. Because he's such a twat.

Nothing from this album really stood out to me, except for the last song where there were animal noises that actually repulsed me. Though given the title of the album I’m sure that’s the point.

Very British sound. It was ok. I didn't mind it but was not particularly enthused about it either.

It’s fine, I guess I just don’t get it. The only track that really stood out to me was “Meat is Murder”, I love the darkness of the track. It's different than the rest of the album, but I think that's what makes it good to me.

Too political for me