Meat Is Murder

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

Really good bass lines, Morrissey’s vocals can be a bit grating at times, some tracks are more enjoyable than others. It’s alright.

Inge vidare. Sångaren låter som ett utdraget självmord som aldrig når fram. Det finns ljusglimtar, men dom är få.

Uninteresting commercial music from the 1980s.

an ok album. they're music always sounds dry(?) to me. Nothing that makes me want to embrace their music or listen to it again. Ok, not bad sort of a solid 2 stars

Another 80s album that didn't quite resonate with me.

Meh

Huge Smith’s fan and this is clearly the worst of the bunch.

I was not wowed by this, but it exceeded my low expectations.

Yeah no, had like one song that I would relisten to but absolutely not

The Smiths just don’t work for me.

2nd star only because barbarism begins at home has a nice bassline. Fuck Morrissey

So evidently the dark moody stuff is the only thing I can stand by the Smiths. There are a couple of passable songs here but it’s overall too whiny for me.

I don't think I will listen again.

I never really liked The Smiths all that much, and this album didn't really change that opinion. Most of this sounded the same and I didn't really like how it sounded.

Not the best Smiths album, but still fun -1 because fuck Morrissey

I just don't like the Smiths. The music is fine. Morissey's voice grates on me.

Insanely annoying as a person and annoying as hell as an artist

3, -1 for the existence of morrissey.

The music is ok but it’s all just too much in service of morriseys voice. Which sounds like a duck quacking into a French horn

Not a fan of this one. Every song sounds the same.

Yeah so it got started, then just kinda.. didn't go anywhere.

The Smiths prove on this album that it doesn't matter what the message is if the messenger sucks. Ranging from boring to grating, The Smiths go as Morrisey goes, which musically is no place. "Barbarism Begins at Home" is particularly terrible.

Once again, Andy Rourke is carrying the whole album with the bass, and this brings the album up to a two. God what a load of wank, fuck you Morrissey.

Not terrible but also not very memorable

I like The Smiths, but I'm also not going to pretend one The Smiths song sounds any different from the other.

Not really a fan. Head nodding music

I just don't buy the jangly, weak sounding guitar sound and the vocal non-melodies that feel like the exact same from track to track. However, it wasn't generally unpleasant to listen to, so that's not nothing I guess. 2/5 - below average for my tastes

Man, Morrissey just isn't for me.

Not really my thing. Idk, I could give it a 2-3, I dont think Morrissey is really doin anything for me here.

i knew a few songs of them but never encoutered this album the first song "the headmaster ritual" was not bad, but not so cool to be on my playlist. "rushholme ruffians" has very joyish opening, not so much my thing so i skipped it. "i want the one i cant have" is..okay? something was off but i didnt quite catch what exactly. maybe it was the too much strained voice. next songs i listened not fully, the one that catch my attention was "well i wonder" with its sad opening not bad, i usually like this type of music buttt...idk. something was just not it

The awful whiny lyrics made the songs sound worse. I enjoyed the last 2 minutes of Barbarism Begins at Home because of the funky bass and no words. I mean truly every time I started to enjoy the sound of the music the words came in and made me roll my eyes.

6/10 - Ive never been able to get into the smiths Heard before? --------–- ✅ Saved a new Song? ----- ❌ Saved Album? -------–-- ❌ Will Listen Again? ---––– ❌ Album Cover ----------– Its honestly really great.

album #98 love the bass lines in this, especially in "barbarism begins at home". i wish i enjoyed the singing more, because i do enjoy some of their arrangements. unfortunately, i just can't move past morrissey's out-of-tune warbling. ꩜ average track rating: 2.1/5 ꩜ favourite track(s): barbarism begins at home, that joke isn't funny anymore ꩜ least favourite track(s): i want the one i can't have ꩜ album rating: ★★☆☆☆ ꩜ number of albums left to review: 991 ꩜ number of albums from the list that i agree with being on the list: 47 ꩜ albums from the list that I would consider on my list: 22 ꩜ albums from the list I won't include on my list: 76

It's not for me. As I'm giving the album a second listen, trying to be fair-minded, it just does not do anything for me. I can appreciate the instrumentation (guitar and drums are on point), and when I look up the lyrics to follow along, it's well written poetry. Its a prime example of the 80s Brit-rock sound. But for the life of me, Morrissey's vocals just throw it all away. His singing lingers in a way that makes it unwelcome to my ears, and there's an almost whine to his voice that I could do without. The lyrics just get stretched to fit the music, and I'm done with the songs before they've even reached the halfway mark.

Nah, not for me

Well. Different.

Noooooooo

stop whining you little off-key crooner

Meh. It's fine. Good to listen in the car - became background.

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'm sorry its like if Kermit the frog sang edgy indy folk in a cave

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.

I already had the album *The Queen Is Dead* (1986), and unfortunately, this album is exactly the same. I didn't like that one, and I don't like this one either. It's boring, monotonous, and the vocals are very lackluster.

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

Meh not a big smiths fan)

I like The Smiths but this was boring.

Dette fikk jeg ikke mye ut av.

What a boring album. Not much good to say about it, except the bass playing and the guitar playing were good. The song themselves are awful

Not their finest. And not really a Smiths fan.

Bro this just pissed me off. I don't think any part of this album is cohesive or even particularly interesting. Just nothing of much note hear, why it's on this list baffles me. This isn't even top 3 best Smiths albums, and that's not a great achievement anyway. Just ignore this, boring and pointless. Morissys vocals become more annoying the worse the music is. Only saving grace is the opening track, which is alright. And the end is fine too, not great but fine. That is the only thing saving this from a 1. Fav Track: The Headmaster Ritual

Again, nothing on here which makes me want to listen to it again. An absolute singles band, good singles at that but nothing more. Based on the other music I like this should be right up my street. It's not.

I like smiths a single hits, but a whole album is too much of the same for me

Good album, rough title track. those cow noises lmao

Subpar. Even when compared to other Smiths albums this one is boldly mediocre.

tasty murder 2.5/5

I just can't get into these guys.

Kinda silly lol

Barbarism Begins at Home is a great track, and I commend the vegan slant of this album. i think more music other than The Most Annoying Punk Bands should explore these themes, they certainly have weight behind them. but maaaaaaaaan i don't care for The Smiths at all really. wake me up when they do a 6 min+ post-punk epic. deserves to be one of the 1001? sure. but i wouldn't put it on mine

Favourite track(s): The Headmaster Ritual; Well I Wonder A driving album - driving both musically (due to the reoccurring fast tempo beats and riffs in more than half of the tracks as well as the continuous meandering vocals) as well as textually (with sometimes quite unpleasant themes supported by even more unpleasant execution - looking at you, title track). The vocals are what I would imagine will either strongly draw people towards this album or turn them away sooner rather than later. While I find myself to be in the second group (maybe because I am mostly missing some clearly defined melody that does not sound like it was made up on the spot), I can still appreciate that the album is at least cohesive and to a point (or multiple, if you will).

Meh. This in just meh.

Not a fan

Their other albums are better.

Not bad, but not my thing.

not my favorite of the smiths. I like more of their older stuff :/

I can’t believe suicidal people listen to this on the reg bc it makes me wanna kms

I've tried with this band a few times, I just don't get it

couple quick notes: - I have the decency to be embarrassed about liking The Smiths and having that teenage Smiths phase - Johnny Marr is the brilliant one and Morrisey sucks - Demi Adejuyigbe's Morrissey impression won't leave my head - three Smiths albums and FOUR Morrissey solo albums is everything that's wrong with this list man - Morrissey sounds like Quentin Tarantino looks at any rate I like my The Smiths mopey and depressing, not Morrissey trying to play rockabilly, so outside of a track or two this really isn't my thing

Yeah... Not really a fan. On another note how much Morrissey does the author think is work listening to?

fine

Morrisey's voice just grates on me - make the wailing stop! This album was pretty painful. There were a couple of songs that weren't bad, but overall I didn't care for this. Also, WTF with the cows mooing on Meat is Murder? Oof. (2)

Boring compared to other smiths albums. No songs stood out on 1 listen through

I understand the broader cultural & musical impact of The Smiths—and I do respect it—but, similar to The Cure, just never could really “vibe” with the sound.

I just think that since I'm vegan I should at least gain the privilege of not listening to this album ever again

Weird British music

Never been too fond of morrisseys voice, good album though all the songs were mid but not awful

At first, it seemed like a decent album to me, but after listening to all the tracks, I was a bit disappointed… 2 stars

Fairly OK.

Bwah, eentonig

The Smiths definitely bring the nostalgia but I was never really a fan. The last track just put me off.

favs: nowhere fast well i wonder barbarism begins at home rating 1.7/5

Yet another Morrissey album. This is probably the weakest of the The Smiths albums on here (I vastly prefer The Queen is Dead and Strangeways). However, it remains an interesting listen. 7/10 [DROP]

The Smiths again

Following the release of ‘Meat Is Murder,’ the Smiths retreated to Manchester to start working on new material. Marr and Morrissey wrote at Marr's home to avoid the trappings of London and pressure from their label; Rough Trade. The next album was produced by Morrissey and Marr and is “far superior“ (as the Brits say) to ‘Meat Is Murder.’ Do yourself a huge favor and listen to the amazing; ‘The Queen Is Dead.’

I’m so damn sick of Morrissey and The Smiths, this guy takes up way too much real estate around here. There had better not be any more.

Extremely boring album. Only one song here worth listening to. I also cannot stand Morrisey's voice.

I now the band but not this album. This album has not resonated with my personal taste

Hated it

I don't know why the list feels that because an artist was influential we need multiple albums of the same artist. Especially when this wasn't even their hardest impact album.

A little bit of Smiths how’s a long way and this is already the second album recommended. Seems more of a hodge podge of songs than an album that needs to be heard. 0 songs added to playlist.

Pleasant in the moment, forgettable after finishing.

I really can't get on with Morriey's voice.

i really don't want to listen to this album. the smiths are fine but isn't this the third smiths album i've gotten? surely i don't have to listen to this before i die?

One of the most crushing feelings in the world: the feeling that you can tell, that so much effort was put into making something that just stinks like shit.

Sorry ivan, this albums sucks

Johnny Marr is an interesting guitar player but there's not very much to this record. Morrissey's cheap cringing lyrical misanthropy is so dated, it's hard to imagine a time when people were really affected by it. Most of these songs sound the same.

2.5/5

I just don't like this band. I didn't think this album was as bad as most of their stuff, but still, no need for me to ever hear this again. Morrisey's voice grates on me.

Johnny Marr is an excellent guitarist and the parts where he is doing his thing, I like. But I could never get past Morrissey's voice.

I fucking HATE Morrisey. Every single time the other guys in the band try to write something great he comes in with his stupid pining voice and his douchebag nature. He's always singing about being alone and I wonder if he's realized he's the problem. I doubt it. Favorites: That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore, Meat Is Murder

Pretty underwhelming. Not a huge fan of The Smiths to begin with

Some of these songs had a good beat, and I found myself tapping my foot or my fingers with the beat, but other than that it was…meh. Nothing really stood out. Rating: 2/5 Day 160/1089

I like music from The smiths but I didnt really like the album

Alright cool but not my fave

I thought I was going to really dislike this one. Not my era. I didn't hate it. Some of it is growing on me on several listens. Just doesn't hit me between the eyes. Some of the tracks also just sound 'off' - like right brain and left brain doesn't know what's going on in the middle. Maybe that's the point. Boppy pop in one ear and ''waaahh' high reverb off key poetry in the other. Some bands you can hear the 'band' in the recordings - i.e. playing together, despite likelihood that most lay individual tracks turn by turn. I feel Morrissey's isolation in a recording booth on this. Particularly on 'What She Said'. Can't choose a fave track yet. I like Meat Is Murder musically but the lyrics (sick face). It's a 2.5 for 'meh'. Probably wouldn't put it on again for pleasure, more like to test it out in a month's time and see how I feel about it then, having rammed it several times into my ears today. Total number tracks: 9 Fave Track: ? Short list: 1: The Headmaster Ritual, 4: What She Said 7: Well I... oh got bored. One of them has some rain on it? I liked that.

This album was OK, one or two I kinda liked and very much the Smiths - but they lose a point for the dull, indulgent title track, especially dumping it at the end.

I'm glad I didn't like this album, beacause then I'd have to admit to liking something Morrissey has done. Day saved though, I didn't like any part of this album, well, I did get a good laugh at the title track. Over the top!

I’m so sick of these generic ass UK rock bands.

Debated whether to go with 3 but going with the lower score as didn’t know any songs and can’t so any jumped out so maybe needs another listen

Never bought any Smiths albums at the time and this justifies my decision . Another instantly recognisable but forgettable album . Interesting to listen to but I shan't be going through any more of the back catalogue in the basis of this .

Easily forgettable album that just went by. Not to say this was bad album or anything but it was just forgettable. Best song was Barbarism begins at home.

Yeah, nah..

Sad boy music that I’ve always avoided cause it’s just too wah. I was right.

I don't like the Smiths voice, but I enjoyed the album in the background.

Eher mäßiges Album, hat mich nicht beeindruckt

Wszystkie piosenki są do siebie podobne, tekst się wtapia w muzykę, trzeba się wysilić żeby go usłyszeć. 2/5

Not my vibe

I really liked 2 of these

Good instrumental elements but flat vocals

Lang getwijfeld over dees, maar uiteindelijk denk ik dat de massief klagerige stem van Morrison echt te storen is. Qua lyriek super sterk, politiek en snijdend, ma de stem is echt beu.