Reviews (page 12 of 14)
Morrissey is an odious prick. However this album is pretty decent, it has an 80s sound but not in the bad way. The guitars on "Barbarism Beings At Home" are really good but the song goes on for far too long and then you get subjected to Morrissey's wailing. It's a shame the album ends with "Meat is Murder" because it's a massive miss. Highlights: The Headmaster Ritual That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore Barbarism Beings At Home
Hadn't listened to this album before. It's not as good as the queen is dead imo, but I still can't help but be really drawn in by the smiths. They have an unique style. Marr is great and Morrissey is Morrissey! He sings about misery so brilliantly, yet it's so tongue in cheek too. Very British. Sings about being poor, but yet he's also incredibly smug. "I smoke cause I'm hoping for an early death, and i need to cling to something" "And when I lie in my bed, I think about life and I think about death, and neither one particularly appeals to me". Brilliant Highlights: The headmaster ritual I want the one I can't have What she said This joke isn't funny anymore Nowhere fast 4.5 - Meat is murder is crap but I've talked myself into giving it a 5
Meat is Murder, The Smiths' second studio album, does not stand the test of time. The voice is maudlin, the verse is sterile.
Actually really enjoy these guys, but a bit more passively than I thought I would. It puts me in a nostalgic place that I can’t put my finger on, and then it kind of just blends into the background for me.
This was a solid, fun album. I'm not sure what I was expecting but it opens with the bouncy "The Headmaster Ritual" and the energy carries throughout the album. The vocals on this album are not particularly exciting but there is some fun guitar/instrumental work throughout. Song going on my "1001 Songs" Playlist: I'm Not Afraid Songs Going On My "1001 Albums Savelist" Playlist: The Headmaster Ritual, That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore, Nowhere Fast, Barbarism Begins at Home
Really wasn't bad, appreciated the sound and vocals but I don't know, felt like it wasn't blowing me away either.
I didn't like it, but I'm not big on most 80's music
Listened to this while doing economics. Pretty neat album.
Biased because I can’t stand Morrissey but this is shit
All the Smiths songs start to sound the same. But there were some good ones here.
Album 200 of 1001 The Smiths - Meat is Murder Rating : 5 / 5 Favorite Track : Barbarism Begins at Home /Rusholme Ruffians Meat Is Murder is the second studio album by English rock band the Smiths, released on 11 February 1985 by Rough Trade Records. It became the band's only studio album to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart, and stayed on the chart for 13 weeks. The album was an international success: it spent 11 weeks in the European Top 100 Albums chart, peaking at number 29. It also reached number 110 on the US Billboard 200, in the United States. Only reached 110 in the US? Unbelievable. Another great band that I somehow let get by me during my college years. Guess I thought they were meant for someone other than me. Wrong was I. Actually became Morrisey fan before I got to know The Smiths, as a band. Still have more to discover about them, but enjoy what I know. The lyrics and subjects they hit upon are one thing, but it is their sound I enjoy most. They are hitting on all cylinders here. Great album without (in my opinion) any one song being much lesser than the others. Awesome arrangements, awesome guitar, awesome vocals. I'm not jumping on the Morrisey is a prick bandwagon. I'm listening to music here. Not judging personalities. Recommend.
better than the morrisey solo album from last week. still not big on it
Just alright
I previously stated that Strangeways, Here We Come was my least-favourite Smiths record. Now I think this one might be. Do I like the Smiths at all? The bass on "Barbarism Begins at Home" makes me feel like I do. The title track that follows it makes me question that. A mixed bag of tracks here for sure. I'd still probably consider this a 3.5 album but I guess I'll round down for Moz.
Sadly the mentality did not catch up with the biology, so it’s a miss for me.
I have not listened to a SMiths album start to finish before. Alwassy like some individual songs, this is album is really nice Marr's web of guitar rhythm is very interesting and beautiful to hear.
It's not quite The Smiths that I've listened to on my own. I do enjoy listening to them, though. I think one of my favorite things about The Smiths, just in general, is that their albums don't really fall off in quality as you listen. The end of the album is just as strong as the beginning.
Can’t get me enough Smiths! Love the bass on “Barbarism Begins at Home.”
I like most individual songs, but the thing about Morrisseys vocals is the mix of pretty tone and monotonous melodies. It sounds like a toddler while they’re first learning to carry a tune. I can’t like it for long at a time.
Some good songs, but I am more familiar with The Queen is Dead and still prefer it.
This album rocks, but the vocals are like experiencing an auditory car crash. I can't stop listening, but I don't like what I am hearing. The instrumentals are killing it though.
Decent album. I should give it another listen
👍🏼
Probably the most Smiths sounding The Smiths album recorded, but not their best. The Headmaster Ritual and That Joke isn’t Funny Anymore” are strong tracks, but the rest feel like outtakes.
The smiths are a hit or miss for me, i did end up liking one song from the album that i've already heard before but didn't end up revisiting
Not for me.
Pretty strong album, holds up well. Not as good as The Queen is Dead, which I'm sure will show up on this list. Favorite: Barbarism Begins at Home
Fantastic album start to finish. Melodious and diverse in sounds. Country and blues influences as well as rock. Great 80s vibe. Authentic
The vocals really put me off. It almost felt like the singer had a voice that would fit a different genre of music better, but I'm not sure what that genre is.
It was alright. Very smiths sound, but I didn't find the songs as earworm-y or catchy. Morrissey wrote a lot of lyrics that I like hearing and reading, and Johnny marrs guitar playing is dope. I'm on the fence about it.
Was 1985 an interesting time? Not really. The guitar parts are too long and not interesting enough. Vocals are also boring. Feels like it should be like 5-10% slower which is not something I say often. Another -1 for being British Do I hate it. Not actively. But I didn't listen to much of it.
Yeah idk, the lyrics are corny but the music bangs.
if the smiths were a cuban linx mozzarella would be the b tech plastic link imported that snuck past quality control Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke are goat (animal type) . this joke isn't funny anymore is ridiculous but most the album is just decent. strong 3.75 but im gonna have to round down
Just Morrissey whining on. I know I'm supposed to spot something amazing in the guitars, but yeah, just Morrissey.
Not my cup of tea.
The line “I think about life. And I think about death. And neither one particularly appeals to me” is a pretty great line. Loved the bass on Barbarism.
Eh
"It's like Moz once said, 'Hold on to your friends.' Morrissey. The Smiths. You don't know 'Meat is Murder'? It's one of the best songs ever written about industrialized beef consumption." Well, Eagleton Ron, let's see about that. I did not know what to expect going into this album. I've never heard a Smiths song before today, so going into an entire album might be somewhat of a risky move. Honestly, I thought it was pretty alright. I really liked the instrumental work. The guitar on tracks like "The Headmaster Ritual" and bass on "Barbarism Begins at Home" were pretty neat. Despite what I've heard about Morrissey as a person, his vocals are pretty good. I think some of what this album has to say is pretty good too. This is far from a bad album, and I see why it and its band are iconic, but I don't think I'll really ever get a hankering to listen to it again, and it's not going to stop me from eating cheeseburgers any time soon. 3/5. 7/10 if it was out of 10. EDIT: As it turns out, I actually like this album way more than a lot of albums on the list, I just didn't know that would be the case two albums in. This is pretty good. 4/5.
Good album. Well sung
oooo scratch my name on your arm with a fountain pen
Pretty good.
-1 for Morrissey def a 3.5
umm.. vegetarian propaganda?!
my fav smiths album idk what else to put here… he put his hole morissussy into this or whatever :)
I really don't know why I always bounce off the Smiths as hard as I do, I guess I just don't get the appeal. Also I kinda hated the production on this project. 2 stars because Barbarism Begins at Home was a bit of a jam.
Now you’re talking! Awesome album full of banger after banger!
Just a touch below Queen is dead. I'd like to drop my trousers to the queen
Classic
Punk in the beginning.
Disappointing - had pretty high hopes, but found it really boring. 4/10
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.
Good album, i’ve been looking for an album that has this feel and it nailed it
every song sounds the same.
Brilliant as ever
Never been a fan of Morrisey or The Smiths. Haven't listened to this album in a long time. While it is well done, just not my cup of tea. Morrissey whines too much for me.
Possibly The Smiths' greatest album, back when we all thought they were the new Beatles (they weren't) and back when Mozzer was not as obnoxious and self-centred as he became. Less racist too.
Smiths album with not many “hits”.
Nice und etwas weniger depri als was man sonst von the smiths kennt aber irgendwie fehlen die banger
3,5/5 Liebe die whimsicalness Tolle Vocals Denke es ist nicht deren bestes Album
Splendid. Love the moody songs, production and varied songwriting. Will come back to this.
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.
The whole instrumental vibe is lovely and lush. The slower tracks are a little boring to sit through, and a couple of the less jangly songs don't stand out as well. Morrissey's voice is beautiful but also a little depressing.
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
New to me and I like it (4)
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.
Like the Smiths but didn’t like the album. Bummer
Tipicamente o pós punk mala pra mim. Provavelmente o vocal mais irritante.
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
Morissey has a nice voice, but all of these songs sound nearly identical.
cant stand morrisseys voice, sorry
Far from the smiths best efforts
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
I enjoyed Nowhere Fast but so far the rest of the album just blended together.
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...
Неожиданное открытие для меня.
Yeah, not bad
в целом норм, гитарки звучат сочненько
Lidt kedeligt
Not my usual in terms of genre, but this is good music! Feel good music. Even though song titles like Barbarism Begins at Home and I Want the One I Can't Have say otherwise, this is the type of music that makes you feel carefree. It made me jump around and dance like no one was watching on a sunny Saturday morning. I found myself bopping pretty hard to Rusholme Ruffians with that underlying bass groove. That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore and the title track, Meat is Murder, satisfied my love of moving, emotional, thoughtful ballads.
é um clássico e tals, mas meio chato de ouvir de cabo a rabo
Jangly: I do love a good bit of the smiths and this didn’t fail to disappoint. Morrissey was on his usual form and especially towards the end of the album the bangers came in. Lyrics to get stuck in your mind and some of the best guitar riffs out there.
What? Another record by The Smiths? Don't they all sound too similar anyway? Well, yeah. That's what people say. Good thing is that this album has a hand full of more funkier elements than earlier but also later albums - despite the dark topics. You can't do anything wrong by listening to this.
Enough of The Smiths already.
Pretty good
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
Okay
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.
oh heck this is the band that made “this charming man”. Distinctive voice. Good so far (halfway into first song). Good, no bangers though. Kinda lowish energy.
Serious, tough and a tinge sad, this is a very good record, that gets better as it goes along and achieves near-excellence, particularly over the last few cuts. Adding "How Soon Is Now" to the US release makes it an outright classic. "Barbarism Begins at Home" and "Well I Wonder" are outstanding, and closing/title cut dial up the emotional intensity another several notches. There's a consistency and understated sort of determination across the cuts that make the whole even more than the sum of its parts.
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.
Top tracks: Headmaster Ritual, What She Said, That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore, Barbarism Begins at Home. Barbarism really showcases Andy Rourke's bass playing. Enjoyed this so much that I listened to The Queen is Dead immediately after, which is a better album. Does that mean this is only a 4, or is it a 5 for making me want to listen to more Smiths?
save for the last song, i thought this was a really strong album. not a song i disliked, except the last song, and as ever the smiths bring a nice melancholy in the guitar and morrissey's voice. now i didn't like the last song (meat is murder). guys i THINK! morrissey might be a vegetarian... it was very offputting to essentially be preached to about the cruelty of eating meat for 6 minutes. i get it dude you're a vegetarian but i don't think your song converted anyone. anyway, five stars
Love the Smiths, Morrissey's iconic voice and honest lyrics resonate with me. This is not my most played album of theirs, but their entire catalog is great. This collection is no less.
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
Obra maestra
Not bad
Morrissey vexes me. Music in this album is pretty sweet though.
Listening to it again as I have again and again over the years, the one thing that lets it down is the production which is horribly tinny. This is the remaster and it still sounds like he's singing in the bath. That said, their is some monstrous talent on display here. That Joke isn't Funny Any More, Well I Wonder, Barbarism Begins At Home are all superbly crafted songs. It's just not quite there across the whole album - and production.
Morrissey might be a twat but the smiths still made good tunes.
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.
First of all, obligatory "Fuck Morrissey" and "Haha I'm eating a steak while listening to this" remarks. I think this is the weakest of their four studio albums. It feels less like a cohesive experience and more like just some songs thrown together. It's the Smiths though, so the songs are still really good. "The Headmaster Ritual" and "Barbarism Begins At Home" are peak. Weak 4/5.
4/9, 44%
Not to be that person who says "all their songs sound the same to me" but all their songs sound the same to me.
Same preamble as before: Morrissey has turned into an idiotic, whiny racist (or maybe he always was), so fuck him. I will rate this one just based on the music and since I always really enjoyed The Smiths and the band's instrumentation. I thought this album was pretty good but not as great as 'The Queen is Dead'. I feel like this one's relatively light on any hits but still has some really beautiful songs on it. Standout Tracks: The Headmaster Ritual, I Want the One I Can't Have, That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore, Well I Wonder
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.
Depressingly boring rock
Whine on some more why don't, but not to these ears.
Gosh - so, being British we did not have How Soon is Now on our version. It was only on Overseas versions. Which is a terrible oversight. Such a brilliant song and elevates the content so for now I might have to be an honorary American… whatever you think of the Morrissey/Marr Macédoine they were so new and refreshing and different from the rest of the Top of the Pops contenders of those times. They created great and enduring music.
This gets a 4 for the version without How Soon Is Now and a 5 for the version with it.
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?
Well slap my ass and call me Sally. This album bowled me over from the first note. Beautifully produced, wonderfully bizarre chord progressions, bold vocal choices, biting lyrics, and it was all over too soon. The last song wasn't my favorite, but whatever. I loved the rest of it. Am I becoming a Moz and Smiths fan? Who even am I?
You know, The Smiths were the soundtrack to some significant times in my life. This album particularly. Today is my birthday and it's a sullen one. I was delighted to see this as today's album and I decided to listen in different venues (my walk & at my desk). what a difference from listening top volume sharing headphones on an old Sony Walkman walking through a German cemetery with a great friend. Though in hindsight...apropos? Damn, Mr. Morrisey. I was so smitten with the music and my listening sessions in cool German locations that I failed to focus on the lyrics. Yet still a top album of all time in my book. I thought for sure How Soon is Now was on this album.
Personally this was the first full album by the Smiths that I got to know back in the 80’s, only having heard a few of the earlier singles prior to that. It made a big impact on my musical taste. The combination of very melodic indierock with lyrics put together very differently to what was the standard those days. I am still fond of this album. A lot, although I came to learn that it is not even the best of the Smiths
Vocals are a bit, all over the place and not really to my taste. However the instrumentals are really catchy for the most part. Final song ('Meat Is Murder') is the most controversial track on here, but I don't think it really said much, just more going for shock of 'It's murder!". Wasted opportunity as there are plenty of reasons to criticise meat industry, but this felt like a lazy attempt at being socially conscious.
I really love this one! The smiths have such a unique sound, the lyrics, vibes, tune all really good
I really like Morrisey's voice. I know it isn't for everyone! Cool album, fun listen.
3/4
It’s the Smiths
Some days I feel like I like The Smiths and some days it’s extremely grating on my ears. But no matter what every single track sounds exactly the same. These knob heads wrote one song and dined out on it for like 4 decades
Rating: 10/10
Lastig te beoordelen. Ik vind de muziek (bas- en gitaarlijntjes) over het algemeen genomen op dit album heel prima in orde. Lekkere indie rock. Die mafklapper op zang doet alleen enorm z'n best om het te verneuken. Dat lukt hem iets minder goed dan je zou verwachten (en bij sommige nummers past de zang zelfs wel een beetje), maar bij een aantal nummers begint het toch wel wat te schuren en jeuken. Tegelijkertijd is het denk ik toch de combinatie van de muziek en zang die dit bijzonder maakt. En op de meeste nummers blijft het binnen het kader van wat ik kan hebben. Qua cijfer dus erg lastig. Ergens tussen een 2 en een 5.
One of their best albums. It's just perfection in 39 minutes ❤️
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)
Ooooh I love it! This was the first Smiths album from this list I heard and it was on heavy rotation for me during 2021, additionally to learning some of the bass lines. Meat is Murder is a heavy hitter and uncomfortable to listen to, but I guess it has to be. + Headmaster Ritual + Barbarism Begins At Home + That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore + Well I Wonder
Rough song to end on, didnt realize how literal they meant that with the album.
Banger van een album behalve meat is murder, ik ben vegetariër geworden grotendeels zodat ik dit nummer kon haten om non-ideologische redenen
Ik weet niet helemaal zeker waarom ik The Queen Is Dead zo charmant vind, en deze zo irritant. Soms zit er echt wel een briljante lyric tussen ofzo, maar op alles zit diezelfde nare galm die op Vicar in a Tutu zit. Ik was eigenlijk alleen fan van Well I Wonder en Barbarism Begins at Home.
3.5, political themes are quite nicely involved. Liked the guitar work on the penultimate track.
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.
Great album, but not their best IMO. Great bass tone! RIP Andy Great jangle-guitar. Not as familiar with these songs, but it's classic Smiths. "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" is one of the more interesting ones, slower, with interesting panning / fading effects. "Well I Wonder" pretty calming, nice rainy outro. "Barbarism Begins at Home" has a funky outro, digging that. Nice bassline! "Meat Is Murder" has a cool spacey intro with a cow. Slow jam... like it! Good closing track too. Cool reverse pulsing effect going on. "How Soon is Now" definitely would secure 4+ stars, but even without that, or any of my favorite Smiths songs, I'd say 3.5-4.
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
9 songs… 5 singles. Ok
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.
Lost a star bc of Morrisey
UFF YES! En esta casa amamos los Smiths. Gracias proyecto Aleatorio. Fijate que no es mi disco fav de los Smiths la verda, pero si si muy cool.
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.
I thumbed up two songs. Pleasant album.
Obligatory I hate Morrissey. Used to quote lyrics from this album with my mate all the time. Anything from “spineless swines, cemented minds” to “it’s too close to home and it’s too near the bone”. The cover art always intrigued me, still is from a decent Vietnam War documentary.
I think I just love the smiths. I guess Morrisey has to be such a jerk to make some mean music.
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.
Moody indie rock.
Very good, much better than i was expecting
i fucking hate morrissey but barbarism begins at home is a banger and i cannot deny that
Mun mielestä tää on aina ollut pitkäveteinen levy, vaikka kuinka useasti kuuntelis... Meat is murder on lopussa kohokohta, joskin ei kohottava. Valitettavasti vain kaksi tähteä, ne ekalle ja vikalle biisille.
Siedettävät kivan äänen tuottamisen taidot; heikot ja/tai laiskat biisintekotaidot. Pari vähän onnistuneempaa vaihetta pelastaa vain vähän.
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.
El mejor disco de The Smiths. Johnny Marr en un peak creativo de composición, el difunto bajista Andy Rourke invadiendo la mezcla con líneas adictivas y Morrissey con sus letras más sensibles y políticas hasta la fecha.
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.
마지막에서 두번째 트랙 barbarism begins at home의 베이스라인에 춤췄다
Pretty decent album
Litt deppa rockealbum, sånn egentlig. Mye bra gitar! Tittelsangen er en ubehagelig sang, men på en god måte. Sleng inn litt kritikk av utdanningssystemet så er jeg solgt.
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.
Smiths man bad
It goes without saying that this one is another masterpiece from my own personal favourite group, but also one of the most important cultural icons in British music history. While punk rock approached revolution with a sort of iconoclastic irreverence, The Smiths turned the mechanisms of pop culture against itself by appropriating nearly every trope lumbered upon guitar bands over the preceding two decades and creating something truly unique. An effeminate, quasi-Romantic wordsmith in Morrissey, combining with the understated guitar mastery of Johnny Marr was the kind of musical alchemy which has yet to be repeated to the same levels of cult worship that The Smiths’ music almost commanded of its devoted audience. Add into the mix a rhythm section of Mike Joyce and the mesemeric melodicism of Andy Rourke on bass, and you have yourself the greatest pop group is history, in my not so humble opinion. ‘Meat is Murder’ is where all of the aforementioned ingredients rise to the surface. Across this record, Marr’s inspirations lurk from rockabilly to funk, from Gene Vincent to the Gap Band, and the result is never derivative. This is thanks in no small part to the unparalleled wit of Morrissey’s lyrics, which truly shine on this album. Rusholme Ruffians describes a stabbing at a Manchester funfair with the kind of black comedic irony that has no right to work; The Headmaster Ritual lambasts the sadistic persecution of a generation of England’s youth at the hands of retired army lieutenants stationed in the state schooling system. Nowhere Fast and What She Said clearly draw upon the frontman’s frustration at the world’s inability to recognise his genius for what it was, with a few jabs at the institutional hypocrisy which venerates bone-idle monarchs instead. Whatever gammon-headed sentiments he gives voice to nowadays, Morrissey and The Smiths produced the most left-wing art to seamlessly infiltrate the pop charts against all the odds. But it’s tracks like the breathtakingly melancholic Well I Wonder that represent more familiar thematic territory for Morrissey’s agonised croon – an absolute masterpiece which ought to have closed the record in place of his ham-fisted (pardon the pun) vegetarian treatise. That being said, the very refrain ‘Meat is Murder’ is now entrenched in the public lexicon, and further illustrates The Smiths’ significance beyond just a mere rock group. Only the slums of working class Manchester could have produced such honest art, and like it or lump it, this group were the cream of the crop. If most of this assessment looks at Morrissey’s contributions (and I believe they were his best during this band’s brief lifespan), then that is not to dismiss Marr, Rourke and Joyce as simply a b-rate supporting cast. Rourke’s spidery bass lines on Well I Wonder and I Want the One I Can’t Have are worth listening to in isolation, and Barbarism Begins at Home is arguably his most recognisable composition. Even Morrissey’s utter contempt for Mike Joyce the man didn’t his admiration for the drummer’s importance to The Smiths’ sound, and Marr as ever is the creative foil that the outspoken frontman needed to catapult his deification in indie music circles. Meat is Murder isn’t a perfect record – like I say, it’s a bit front-loaded, and could probably have been better sequenced – but it is an absolutely necessary listen if you want to understand why music without politics isn’t even music. An absolutely irrepressible masterpiece from a moment in time when popular music threatened to really matter.
Wasn't feeling it.
Listened to more Smith since doing this 1001 than ever before and it I still don't like them. It all seems to be one long horrible song.
This is pretty great
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.
Still amazing!
probably the best smiths record I've heard of.
Je préfère Jean Ferrat
ma journée sad indie girl
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.
i think it wasn't that good actually
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.
Kuten Kalle kirjoitti, ei suosikki-Smiths, mutta tosi hyvä silti.
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.
Smithsiltä tasaista laatua. 4/5
Good
Heeeel nice!!
I generally like the smiths but this is not my favorite smiths album
meh
I didn't complete listening to this album, will try to get caught up today. This is not my favorite genre but it was interesting.
I wonder if I should listen to the original audio or if the remaster is fine... eh, who cares. When Morrisey started singing I thought he was babbling LMAO. Next time I go through a Smiths' album I'll make sure to get the lyrics. UHgsyihasjipdaihug why do I find this so ethereal
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).
It seems to me a rather boring and monotonous album, the songs sound almost the same. It didn't grab me at all, I was just counting how many songs were left to finish it.
Well this was a big disappointment Only Smiths album I already knew was The Queen Is Dead This is a million miles from the greatness of that album
I was on board for the first track, but this album quickly lost me after that. Barbarism woke me up again, but then Meat Is Murder... 😒
mixed, some really good tracks but overall not one of my favourite smiths albums
I tried. I really did. I tried so hard to give this the benefit of the doubt and listen with an open mind. But Morrissey is just SUCH an insufferable tosser. If that was all that was wrong with this album, it would be one thing. But the mixing and production are just SO BAD. Truly, legitimately, terrible. And while Marr's guitar tones are pretty good, the actual riffs are boring AF. Utterly forgettable. Combine it all and you've got an undigestible slurry of self-indulgent mediocrity. The album probably deserves a 2-star score but I'm just so damn sick of this list forcing Morrissey down my throat. Screw that guy.
Best enjoyed whilst eating a 12oz ribeye.
Forty minutes of indifferent jangle-whine.
WHEN THEY MEAT IT WAS MOIDER
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.
I like the Smiths, this isn't my favorite album. The Queen is dead is much better.
At one point or another, this could be my favorite Smiths album, but that is something that changes constantly. Their consistency in their output during the handful of years they were together is about the best you can ask for from a band, and I’ve been a fan for the majority of my life at this point. I think the turning point for all fans, even though it’s a core part of The Smiths’ appeal, is realizing Morrissey and his lyrics are their least essential element. There’s some great moments from him here (I’ve always enjoyed the imagery found in Rusholme Ruffians), but the overly dramatic emotions on display eventually ring as being a product of their age rather than anything overly profound. It’s easy to feel differently when you’re a teen, but the further I get from away from my own adolescence, the less relevant his lyrics become. When you listen to the copy cats that sprung up in their wake, you realize The Smiths’ real magic is Johnny Marr’s guitar, backed perfectly by their underrated rhythm section. Morrissey may have had his shtick down with their debut, but this was the first album where the rest clearly surpassed what he was bringing to the table. While I’d argue that Headmaster’s Ritual is their best opener, the title track is easily one of their worst, the only major blemish to be found on an otherwise perfect album.
Ugh. The Smiths AGAIN? This shouldn't be a punishment or a chore. I liked the bass work in "Barbarism Begins At Home." But the song is WAY too long, and the yelps, the hell is THAT all about? When having an album called "Meat Is Murder," you're already straddling the line of pretentiousness. But then the title track comes on and Morrissey is all the freaking way in. Look, I'm not anti-animal rights. Our concern for animals is noble, but you have to be very careful about singing about those kind of things, and these guys just don't have that ability to tread lightly.
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).
I had never listened to the Smiths before, but my daughter is a fan and she's been making me listen to their albums. Who knew emo can be fun! Count me as a big Johnny Marr fan - the guitar playing and songwriting are both outstanding. Lots of variety - fun rockabilly (Rusholme Ruffians), rockers (What She Said), jangle pop (The Headmaster Ritual, Nowhere Fast), funk (Well I Wonder - love the bass at the end), and some songs that just soar (That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore). Lots of powerful lyrics on the album. I Want the One I Can't Have: "A double bed and a stalwart lover, for sure / These are the riches of the poor." Well I Wonder: "Gasping, but somehow still alive / This is the fierce last stand of all I am." Barbarianism Begins at Home: "A crack on the head is what you get for not asking / and a crack on the head is what you get for asking"). The song Meat is Murder is really powerful, but not enough for me to think steak isn't delicious, sorry. Loved every song. This is just a great album that I will definitely return to many times.
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.
Is the best Smiths album? I don't know perhaps not. Is it my favorite Smiths album? yes it is. To me it's the perfect balance of Marr and Morrissey.
Another brilliant record from The Smiths. The Marr/Morrissey combination is a lightning in a bottle occurrence. Marr is a top guitarist and the music marries perfectly with Morrissey’s lyrics and vocals. A near perfect album to me, with the title track maybe being a bit too heavy handed. Would be even better if it had How Soon is Now on it.
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.
very good. Not my style but groovy
Yea, I was going to try and be nice due to Luke liking this guy so much, but I have to be true to me. Don't get this guy and don't get this music, outside of a song here and there. I tried to let this in, but my inner Zach de la Rocha said, fuck this shit. Let's play a bombtrack instead. Testify, my brother. Testify. 1
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
4 Look, I love The Smiths and consider them to be one of my favorite groups. While most consider The Queen is Dead to be their magnum opus (myself included), Meat is Murder is also oftentimes thrown out there as the group’s best… and I gotta say I think those fans are over-inflating this one. It’s very good for sure, and some of the band’s best songs are here, but there are also a few misses for me. In particular, I have to call out Barbarism Begins at Home - I know it’s a fan favorite, but I can’t stand this song. The funk riff is so annoying and feels so out of place… and then they made it seven minutes long?? Wtf. If I wasn’t listening for the sake of review, I would be skipping this one. Anyway, that out of the way, I do want to highlight the good, because the majority of this album really is fantastic. The Headmaster Ritual is a great opener and song, and I’ve always considered it to be one of the catchiest and most danceable of The Smiths’ catalogue. Following that, while Rusholme Ruffians isn’t an all-time great or particularly deep by any means, the bassline is incredibly infectious (shoutout to Andy Rourke). I Want the One I Can’t Have is a vibe we’ve all experienced at one point or another. For Smiths fans, it’s probably associated with the girl they’ve been too scared to talk to for six or so months that ends up having a boyfriend. What She Said is a short, fun blast of energy. Then, we get to the best track on the album - That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore. Yeah, it’s the exact brand of self-pity that people like to hate on Morrissey for, and maybe you could argue the outro is overly long and repetitive, but I personally find the build-up of the vocal delivery and music to be profoundly beautiful and dynamic in the best kind of broody, gothic way. Unfortunately, the album starts losing me a bit from there, with two pretty mediocre tracks Nowhere Fast and Well I Wonder leading into Barbarism. Ironically, I think people hate the title track for mostly the same reasons I hate Barbarism, but there’s something about Moz’s delivery of “Murrderrrrr” I’ve always kinda liked, so I would argue the album ends on a high note. To conclude, it’s The Smiths. Love these guys, and I’ll always rate them highly, but sadly this one just doesn’t quite earn the honor of a 5/5 from me.
Glorious.
Awesome
Bra, men ikke helt min greie.
I don't particularly like Morrisey and I never idolised the Smiths like some of my friends did. Nevertheless I really enjoyed listening to Meat is Murder, nearly every track is a classic. It has stood the test of time and still sounds very fresh. The Morrisey-Marr alchemy is evident in the first seven numbers - maybe Barbarism and Meat is Murder are not quite as strong. A reminder of how good the Smiths were
Muutama juttu vegaaneille: Eläimet syötäväksi tarkoitettu.... sen takia on hampaat... ei perunasosekeittoa joka päivä syödä meidänkään taloudessa... Jos saastuttaa lehmät... eikö ne kannata syödä pois... jos lisääntyy eikä syö nams nams pois... eikös ne sillon enempi... eli saasteita.... heh.. ei varmaan logiikka kuulu sinne suuntaan.. tunteellista porukkaa... sen huommannut... eukko kieli... tunnekieli.. heh... vegaaneilla se... Liha maistuu maistuu.. jos tehty maistumaan miksi ei sais syödä HÄH.. pelktästä hajustakin vesikielelle.. Pakkohan se on syödä muuten nälkä vie... Mites vastaa vegaanit tähän.. lihan jättää syömättä.. pelkkä pottu lautasella tulee pelkästään itku.. ei maha sillä täyty häh... Jos ei lihaa syö.. kalpeaksi kasvaa... karvoja ei kasva.... Olen sen nähnyt kun nykyisin kun käy uimahallissakin.. ei näy enää ihmisillä karvoja kun veganismi vie..... siinä yksi syy äänestää tulevissa vaaleissa... Onkos nälkä heh... varmaan on.. meikäläine täällä kättä pyörittää mahalla.. kun ruokaa on syöty... siinä ero.. Eläimiä meilläkin.. ollut aina.. kissoja.. koiria..... hevoosia.. mummolossa aina... HÄH... Mikä homma.. kuinka monella veggaanilla hevonen.... musiikista.. vika biisi meat is murder paras.. sais olla enempi soundscapeja kuin popittelua albumilla.. raaka tunne "I want the One I can't Have" todella hyvä.. heh kärsimystä... hyvin esittää Morrisey... Johnny Marr tuottanut ihanat sävellykset.. niin sitä häkeltyis jos olis naikkonen.. meikäläisellä aina tiedossa objektiivisuus.. heh kuola pidetään suussa... Rikas ääni josta tykkään.. Kuullostaa että jokaisessa biisissä samoja likkejä ja laulannalla haetaan samat tunteet... ei siis huono asia todella ruutuinen paketti.. ruutuisella haen nyt sitä.. että jos katsoo maapalloa niin eihän siellä ruutuja näy.. on niin moninaista ja kaunista maailma,, erilaisia vivahteita.. erilaisia ihmisiä ja ajatuksia. Ei sama ajatus all over over over again... ei toimi.. ei toimi ellei morrissey tee sitä Its all over all over over my feeeeis... subjektiivista vitosta.. nelosen paikka olis.. arvaa mitä laitetaan... objektia...
The torture of the previous two albums cannot be smoothed out by anything. But The Smiths did their best! From beginning to end, I enjoyed the instrumental scores. The vocalist's voice has a separate respect, it was a basic pleasure to listen to. In addition, the relevance of some songs was felt now. Literally howling in "I want to go home" resonates in the soul of many.
ahh i already listened to this one before lol. 4/5
3.5
This is peak Smiths, it’s bland, soulless and tuneless. Morrissey harps on about minority issues and makes music his political soapbox. Boring and inane, the best I could do is give this one star.
I used to love The Smiths, and this is a fantastic album. Morrissey has become a right wing stooge though and I can't bring myself to rate it any higher than 2 stars.
back in my tumblr 2012 era
Thought this album was just okay. I enjoy the instrumental work, but once again the vocals fall flat for me.
This does contain most of the Smiths better known songs, but is a really good album. "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" is one of my favorite Smiths songs and you don't hear many songs that are about corporal punishment and vegetarianism that are this catchy. I think this is an album that must be heard, because it does not contain many of the hits and gives a better idea of what Morrissey and gang were trying to do.
ну прикалдесно чо но queen is dead>>>>>>>>
The guitar work on this thing is amazing it’s so light and euphoric. I love Morrissey’s vocals too his dark tone adding so much color the songs. Speaking of the songs, almost everything on this thing is a banger and even the weaker songs are pretty good. Highly Replayable
Ya I tried and couldn't lol
It’s a no from me dawg. Monotonous and sad. Not my scene.
I don't understand why this album is here. It's such a bland one. Generic riffs and melodies mixed with Morrissey's awful monotone voice.
I really don’t like The Smiths
The Smiths continue to be a 1-album band for me. Love TQID, but this one and Strangeways don't have the same appeal to me. Just so much more going on melodically with TQID, and I need that from this band. If the melody isn't a superlative, the music is still really good, but I can't get past the impression of boredom in Morrissey's voice. I'm sure he's not bored...it just sounds that way to me. Looking forward to their debut, which I assume is on this list. 1 - bad 2 - average 3 - good 4 - great 5 - outstanding
Loved it
his voice is dogwater. 2.
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
It was good I like morrissey voice
Dismissed this at first because I played it too quietly; the upfront vocals are not to my taste. Notably, the one song that jumped out on that go was "Barbarianism starts at home", when the vocals sod off for a while. At volume, fantastic, bass Entwhistling away, vocals make a bit more sense.
gotta give this top marks despite Moz's worst instincts, esp. as Andy Rourke puts in such sterling work to define their best set of tunes
Pretty good, but problematic
Well I wonder is fantastic, most of the rest of the album is somewhat forgettable/samey compared to other albums I love from The Smiths
love it
Miserable manc bastards. Didn't like it when it was released and I hate it now.
"It's not comforting, cheery or kind" - no, it's the Smiths. Not my preferred vibes, but I can appreciate a decent album.
Morrissey fucking blows.
Pretty good
Somehow I’ve never listened to The Smiths despite knowing that they are an incredibly important and beloved group. Turns out that’s for a reason. Loved their sound & their lyrics!
Knocking out both Morrissey reviews here since I basically got a double feature: I hated these. Morrissey's like a chik fil-a kind of topic, where the main cultural impact I get exposed to is a million people very loudly flogging themselves for being such big fans of the awful person/franchise, but then you go check out the thing for yourself and it feels like you're being pranked because the idea that people are out there having such strong positive association with them in the first place is such a tough sell to me. It's a mediocre chicken sandwich, and extremely boring, grating music! Come on!
What not getting railed by Johnny Marr does to an mf
Morrissey aka peak cringe personified. He makes pretty good music though
Not the best smiths album by any means. Prob will never listen to this one again
This is my least favorite Smiths album including the non-true albums, Hatful of Hollow and Louder Than Bombs. However the worst Smiths record is still really good. I got give it a 4 for the title track which is just not enjoyable at all but I always give a 5 to Morrissey and Smiths just to counter the haters.
It’s got some quality punk messages but also bs PETA agenda thrown in as the title track, because well… Morrissey is a pompous ass and he sings like one too. Reeeeally likes hearing the sound of his voice repeating the same tones over and over again 4/5 I got the Queen is Dead a few dozen albums ago and I recall enjoying that one a fair bit more
More New Wave, meh
I'm a fan of Radiohead and The Strokes and that type of sort of melancholy British rock, and from what I'd heard I thought The Smiths would fit in with my tastes quite nicely, but I was slightly disappointed with this album. It wasn't bad by any stretch of the word, but I was just missing the bangers, something to stand out and tap my feet to.
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.
I already liked The Smiths and I enjoyed my first listen to this album even more than I thought I would.
Strong album with call outs to bass and guitar. Punchy and flowing only to be deflated by the final track.
A good listen, but not more than that.
Morrissey be on his sad bullshit
So many things about this list and exercise is great and so many things are beyond frustrating. The over represented inclusion of anything involving Morrissey is chief among the frustrating bits. I just cannot deal with this guy. I guess this is fine, but I am so not interested in listening to it.
Jangly guitar and up beat melodies make this much more pleasant than I imagined
Simultaneously dark, brooding and incredibly energetic. Another one that our Amsterdam Air BnB host had in the collection which was my first foray into the weirdly attractive complexity that is The Smiths. Fucken downer closing track but that's Morrissey for ya.
Ohne Morrisey wäre es so viel besser. Er ist längst nicht so talentiert, wie er denkt, besonders musikalisch nicht …
How Soon is Now is the best piece of music ever to come from a UK band in the 80's.
Most of the album was okay. "Barbarism Begins at Home" was surprisingly funky. But the title track is pure garbage. We get it, Morrissey. You don't eat meat. Good for you. I'll see about getting you a medal. But saying meat eating is pointless and unnatural is objectively false (the point is sustenance and our incisors and canines are proof that it's natural). If you're going to shit-talk the meat industry as a whole, there are plenty of valid arguments to choose from. Bringing weak shit like "it's pointless and unnatural" would get you slaughtered in even the lowliest of middle school debate clubs. Also, does riding around on that high horse everywhere you go constitute animal cruelty? I feel like it does. You gotta give that poor nag a break every now and then, dude. Sincerely, Someone who understands the criticisms of meat eating but loathes shittily-constructed arguments from pretentious douchecanoes. (Let's call this a 2.5.)
Solid Smiths album. I'm glad to see this genre & band represented again, but I took a peek at the 1001 list & many other notable albums & artists are missing. It's a real shame to have so many albums & so few post punk/new wave bands on here *big fkn sigh* Anyway, 4 stars for Meat is Murder.
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".
Not bad
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.
Brilliant album
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.
Love the Smiths- very unique and unlike a lot of other bands. First track is really wonderful.
Obligatory: Fuck Morrissey, he's a piece of shit. This is a great record, The Smiths operating at their peak here. The bass on "Barbarism Begins at Home" is just incredible. I've never listened through the whole record before, though I'm solidly aware of most The Smiths work, and I was surprised at how few singles there were here. Reminds me of The Cure's "Disintegration," a widely beloved record from a band's catalogue that didn't really yield many huge hits (Lovesong excluded).
the guitars and the grooves were unexpected. it sounded like duran duran on certain songs. very funky like on tracks "Barbarism Begins At Home".
Notbad
That’s the smiths for you
Immediately listened to a different record as soon as this finished, love it
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
I do not care for the Smiths. Good thing there are only 9 albums in this list of 1001 that are either the smiths or morrisey...
I would have reeaally liked this without the vocals 2/5
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.
Trombonic vocals
Tem umas músicas boas e outras meh. Morrissey te odeio espero que morra.
Many of these songs are rudderless and lack melodic dynamic. I mean, just sing a dang chorus. But the overall sound is wonderful, and Morrissey just keeps pouring on intriguing lyrics to where you can't help but be pulled into each song. Quite a band.