Meat Is Murder

Technically very impressive. I have always thought of myself as a Smiths enjoyer, but I have to say that the experience of listening to this album was fairly unpleasant. Morrissey’s voice/singing was really the only thing that I didn’t like, but it soaked through everything. Maybe it’s because I live in a place where the sun shines fairly often and it’s not eternally dreary, but I can’t know for sure.

I don’t hate Meat Is Murder but I’m trying to be somewhat objective. Were I to rank my favorite groups, I imagine The Smiths would rank rather highly. I own a graphic novel about them and also Morrissey’s autobiography, which is the most hilariously overwritten book I’ve ever attempted to read. Yet I am unbiased enough to recognize that THIS album belongs nowhere near a greatest of all time list, particularly when a cursory review informs me that their (much better) self-titled debut is not featured. There are exactly 2 songs here in any sort of rotation for me (Headmaster Ritual and That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore). The title track is one of the dullest songs in existence, though I actually admire when a message is so in-your-face that no thought or interpretation is necessary. The original US release closes with How Soon Is Now? which is actually good enough to make the whole thing worth listening to, but alas that is not the version we’re reviewing.

I agonizingly go into this one, I am not a Smiths fan nor do I enjoy Morrissey's could-care-less-whiny cadence. I have a few famous voices that I just can't learn to love including James Taylor, Madonna, Ariana Grande, Boy George, Jay-Z & Morrissey. From the minute Morrissey starts singing I want to turn the dial, it's uncanny. For the record, I have never listened to a full Smiths album, they're just dreary and sap my energy. I have heard a couple tracks in college or on the radio over the years ("How Soon Is Now?", which sucks too). I have to give props for number of listens for this entire album, the lowest song has 8.5M listens while the biggest ("Well I Wonder") has 84M (probably cause he sings the least in this song). I flat out could not enjoy it, I tried, I didn't like a single song. Every track had the same beat & boring guitar line. I loathe his voice and I can't hear around it. 2.5 stars as I can see people love it, but I don't, not even a little.

Yeah I'm not a smiths fan. The band is good but the dude singing and filter he's using is annoying to me. I don't understand the love the smiths get, at all.

One bummer of this project is when you get allocated albums from artists you loathe. I gave it 3 songs and confirmed I still dislike the smiths.

Better than any other Smiths album I've heard but still not good

Never liked the smiths

This one sucked. I can get why there are a few Smiths or Morrissey albums in the list, but this one has redeeming qualities, jams, bangers, or mashes. Just recycled garbage from decades prior.

Sorry. Bored as hell listening to Morrissey's monotone. This album sounds like 1 song played over and over. Sorry, don't care how deep his lyrics are, if the music isn't interesting, it gets 2 stars for valiant effort.

I can see why this is a classic for some folks. It's Morrisey but thankfully not a solo project. I'll admit to my fandom of some music that gets a pretentious and self indulgent. And thankfully it's reasonably reigned in here. My mouth has been soured by solo Morrisey. But this isn't really for me

Nun ja. Künstler und Kunst…

More bloody Morrissey. I found the beginning of this album particularly excruciating as he doesn’t even seem to be singing in tune. But there were a couple of songs I liked as it went on. The band are great though, and I’ve come to realise that The Smiths are a singles band so a “best of” album will do me. It’s just the singing I find annoying. Morrissey is murder, more like!

Not for me. Morrisey lyrics and singing style bores me. I could barely pay attention. 4.0

The Smiths. Everyone knows them. I generally like them, but this album, while good, didn’t grab me the way some of their other songs do. I enjoyed putting it on while working in the office.

Sigh..I know The Smiths are an iconic band... however, apart from a few of their songs, they just don't do it for me. The backing music always sounds great. I like a lot of the guitar work and musical crwativity. Its like a Limp Bizkit situation, really cool music and then the singer comes in. Morrissey seems to sing the same 6 or 7 notes, just in different keys for every song for every album.

Couldn’t connect with it. Maybe just the wrong album on the wrong day.

It’s a Smiths album, has their classic guitar tone which I found oh so average. I don’t love The Smiths.

Quite annoying but not entirely bad. There are a couple of songs that I kinda liked, but I don't plan on listening to this album ever again

boring emo

Annoying vocals, annoying songs, with hints of interesting musical bits hidden throughout. Overall, just can't stand the smiths

Escuché este disco dos veces en mi casa mientras hacía cosas. Pensé, esto no puede ser tan fome, lo empecé a escuchar con audifonos. Me fui a dormir y soñé que lo terminaba de escuchar y pensaba "Meh", estoy de acuerdo con mi sueño.

I prefer The Cure

Meat might be murder, but it’s a lot less cruel than making someone listen to this album. Morrisey’s vocals and lyrics never seem to change with the backing music; it doesn’t seem to matter what the guitars are doing, he just goes on singing This Charming Man over and over but with different words.

Beginning to think I don't really like the Smiths. I used to have The Queen is Dead on CD and did really enjoy it. I now find I really struggle with Morrissey both as a person and vocally. I had not really listened to Meat is Murder before - and IMHO its weaker than the above with no real stand out tracks and too much whining Morrissey.

Morrissey is an all-time douche in the history of popular music, which makes enjoying this band a tall task for me. Instrumentally I found some great stuff about this album, particularly in "Barbarism Begins at Home." Then there's Morrissey sort of whiny ramble-singing over it all. Sometimes he locks into something cool, sometimes he's got interesting lyrics, and all the rest of the time he's kind of just a dick. And the title track...I respect the message, but good lord is the delivery pretentious and douchey.

I don't care for the Smiths, I don't like his voice.

Boring melancholic music, did not enjoy.

Didn’t really listen to that much of it

Do people really like the smiths? I guess you had to be there.

...ffs why is there another Morrissey album on this list....this makes #7.....why?? FUCK OFF MORRISSEY YOU PRETENTIOUS ASS HAT! Favorite songs: Barbarism Begins at Home, What She Said, Nowhere Fast Least favorite songs: Meat is Murder 2/5

Never liked the Smiths. Still don't, but I can tolerate it better than in the past. The penultimate song had Mr Morissy singing and gargling in the bath or some sort of profound crap. At least I listened to the whole album through, but as has been my position for the past 40 or so years, I really hope I don't have to in the future.2/5 - the music gets an extra point over the threshold of 1 for absolute tosh.

Up until today I thought Donovan and Morrissey were the same person. Yesterday I couldn't tell you a single unique fact about either of them. I also couldn't today but yesterday I couldn't either. I do respect an album dedicated to vegetarianism though.

Never been a big fan of any Smiths albums. dont know why only individual songs work for me. the rest just feels like mid tier filler

If meat is murder then my ex-wife must have been John Wayne Gacy

Sounds like a made for tv version of a John Hughes movie soundtrack. Immature ramblings set to a cool guitar sound.

Learned something from listening to this - I only really like the Smiths when the songs are tight, melodic indie pop songs. Really did not enjoy most of this at all, just a meandering, sullen, whiney Morrissey overpowering most songs. I like the funky bass riff on Barbarism Begins At Home, Marr's guitar work, and not much else. And I'd be sympathetic to vegetarianism, I've attempted it myself and I think factory farming is messed up. But Morrissey's sanctimonious bullshit on the title track is not convincing, I'm sure its just made people crave a big steak for dinner to spite him

Can’t help but consistently believe how good this would be were to the vocals and lyrics by anyone else.

Did I hate this album because the music sucked or because Morrisey is an asshole?

Meh

Get fucked.

Just when I thought this list might be making me a Smiths fan - it certainly is trying with 3 of the first 43 entries being Smiths albums - this album came along and confirmed my prior stereotype that it's an alright band with one guy just kind of free associating in key.

The Smiths feel like a 'you had to be there' group. Bass line on Barbarism Begins at Home was easily the highlight of this album. Easy Money by Johnny Marr might be the only Smiths related song I've ever really enjoyed.

Oh Morrissey. This is just repetitive and cookie-cutter. The Joke Isn't Funny is a nice harmonic departure. Lightens the palate a bit. It's dark. It's angsty. I'm sure it was politically important at the time. Musically, it's below meh.

This feels like a cruel joke after pulling Morrissey yesterday. What a whinger! Every song sounds the same, and whilst not terrible musically, the vocal absolutely kills any pleasure I could find from it.

Not my taste

Kinda meh Didn’t love it as much as the other album from them I got

Tweede album van the Smiths, ik ken vooral Queen is Dead en ik zou die zonder denken direct 5 sterren geven. Het begint al wel direct met een Smiths sound, maar vind het over het algemeen toch een beetje tegen vallen. Ik vond eigenlijk alleen Well I Wonder leuk om te bewaren.

It seems like 1001 Albums Generator is very passionate about The Smiths and it wants me to feel the same way. Unfortunately I do not share the same passion (even though Robert Smith rocks). I do enjoy hearing more of their stuff but was just okay with this album. The most standout stuff came from some awesome rhythm guitar riffs and production, but for my taste it felt kind of flat and the same as a lot of other Smiths stuff I've heard. No hate but just not super into it I guess. Fav Track: The Headmaster Ritual

Gear: HEDD Audio HEDDphone Two Artwork: 🪖🖍️😏 Production (2011 Remaster): 🙄🤔🤷 Music: 😭🤏🎻 Rating: 🥩🥩/5

Repetitive, boring, random barking lyrics. Nah.

Made me like The Smiths less.

Is it for me, nah ha ha

Better than I remembered

Of all their albums, the weakest one makes the cut?

I should have liked it, but it was just bland and meh.

I like the music because it’s good rock and roll. I do not care for Morrissey’s voice. It’s just dull.

Not bad not bad. Favorite Track: The Headmaster Ritual

It’s fine!

Honestly thought I would like this a lot more but I guess I was only familiar with their big singles and never really listened to a whole album. Was just ok.

Interesting but not good

This is dark. Not my favorite album of theirs.

Wasn’t crazy about it.

Feels half baked like early Queen albums do. Not that interesting to listen to a band who would go on to be incredible, being not quite there yet. Yes, it’s like Oscar Wilde dropping wit and wisdom over meandering, wind-swept King Sunny Ade guitar and ‘recorded on a potato) soul boy rhythms, but not with the essential unabashed confidence that was to come.

needs more barking

Some okay songs, but the whole album was samey.

not bad but definitely worse than the previous smiths. Last song just made me hungry

Beetje eentonig, maar verder wel te luisteren. **

My least Favourite smiths album, I loved it at first Listen but i recently returned to it and i was greatly dissapointed

Miserable

HATE the music. LOVE the message. Give credit to those cows on the last song!

I genuinely liked the instrumentals and the guitar, but my god is the pretentiousness annoying. I’m vegetarian and I find this to be wayyyyy too much.

The guitars are more jangly than I thought they would be. I really dislike this guys singing style and melodic lines. The lyrics are decent but this was a huge slog, and getting lectured at because this guy doesn't think meat is tasty is a bad closing track.

I try to keep an open mind. I really do, but I just can't with this. Why is he moaning? Is it the man flu? Existential ennui? Good lord, pull it together. There is decent music behind the moaning, so that's something.

Not my style

The algorithm is forcing Morrissey on me this month. At least this is The Smiths and not another bleak solo outing. Honestly, at this point, I've had my fill of Morrissey's voice. This is so much better than the solo stuff. Johnny Marr and the rest of The Smiths are doing all the heavy lifting here. Even with the benefit of the others, I did not enjoy this as much as I would have when I was younger. Now I am unable to divorce my dislike of Morrissey (the person AND the artist) from The Smiths, and this all just seems so incel-adjacent. We can't have nice things anymore. Please, internet gods--no more Morrissey for awhile!

Yeah I mean... Not doing too much. It's nice. The title song begins with cows mooing. That's cool. Maybe I should give it my first two stars? That it's not exceeding any expectations and is instead blending into the background?

While I appreciate the Smiths' unique sound and distinctive textures, It's not my favourite thing to listen to.

oh god i hate the smiths.... morrissey is one of the most annoying frontmen ever (not to mention the racism)!!! every smiths song is like "i am so sad, i drive my car, i am so sad, i go so far" this one however does get an extra star up from 1 for 'Barbarism Begins at Home' which i do actually like except for morrissey's stupid "ladadadada"

Not for me

Ugh.

The Smiths es evidentemente un gusto adquirido que mi oído no asimila.

Most of the music is fine, the singing on the other hand…. 1.6

I've never been into The Smiths, and I'm still not into The Smiths. Their music is as generic as their name.

The Smiths are another band that never really landed with me, maybe I never liked Morrisseees' whining? Maybe it was too highbrow for a 10 year old. Either way I have mixed feelings about this album. I enjoyed the music a lot. Johnny Marr is really strong on this. Not so much Morissees droning voice. The Joke isn't funny anymore was for me the biggest highlight of an album where all the songs pretty much blend into each other...

Meh. One of my musically pet peeves is vocalists who don’t annunciate, and I felt like I didn’t really understand much of what this album was about. The two songs before the finale were good musically though.

The first half is garbage that gives me a headache. The second half is alright but nowhere near as good as the rest of The Smiths discography.

It's funny, I love some stuff by the Smiths, but I've never listened to this entire album before. Not really a fan, it felt a bit meandering.

I found this album generally uninteresting. I like some other Smiths tracks, especially How Soon Is Now, but I found this album dull and fairly one note in terms of style or variety. I know this is the album that put them on the map, but now 40 years after it's debut, I feel it's urgent and strident message feels faded and ineffectively delivered.

2/5. You can definitely feel the young and moody energy from this one. It can fit a certain vibe but there is a sense of suburban middle class in the 90s that feels a little disingenuous. Everyone has the right to their emotions and if you feel connected to this, especially in middle and high school, more power to you. It's just not really what I'm relating to at this time. The riffs are neat and fun to listen to, and are honestly the highlight of the album. Don't think it saves it from Morrissey, once again. Best Song: That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore, Barbarism Begins At Home, The Headmaster Ritual

Damn, love The Smiths but album is not really one of their best...

Two stars. One of the songs reminded me of a Dance Dance by Fall out boy

Distinctive sound: Bright, hazy guitars with low & emotional vocals. Nice as a vibe for particular moods. The whole thing kind of runs together. No standout individual songs. Enjoyed listening while driving for the most part - hated the last (and unfortunately title) track.

Just not a Smiths guy. I don't get it. Dont enjoy Morrisey's voice, don't connect with the emotion of the songs, and basically think they're a poor man's British REM. Quality guitar work and solid songwriting, but not for me at all.

1. ritual - 1.5 2. ruffianz - 1 3. uuant - 1.5 4. zhe - 1 5. joke - 1 6. fazt - 1.5 7. uuonder - 1.5 8. barbarizm - 1.5 9. murder - 1.5

Morrissey is super mopey. The Smiths are slightly less mopey. It's an noticeable improvement. Title track is pretty shitty.

Not at good as expected

Lyrically this is great, I just don't enjoy the music at all ;(

This is the third album I've listened to from The Smiths, and I've came to the conclusion I'm not a fan of this band. The guitar, and lyrics are okay, but Morrissey's singing just ruins the vibe on every album. I also think their songs tend to blend in, and aren't distinguished. Favorite Track: "The Headmaster Ritual".

I like the Smiths but this was just nothing special to me icl

has the smiths sound, but the songs all blended together for me. idk maybe i’m not sadboi enough rn for this

point9.

Not for me

Gillar en del av låtarna men kan inte se förbi hur dålig sångaren är. 2 av 5

No more Morrissey, if it wasn't for him I could probably like this album.

This could be better. But it’s not

Dull Smiths album sounds very generic with no top songs it at all, really question why it was included in this list.

First time listen. I thought I’d like it. I don’t. Disappointing.

Mid

Not bad. Liked it better than the morrissey solo album I had. A couple good ones but nothing to write home about.

I was in my late teens when the Smiths broke and thought they were a lightweight fun pop group but now they seem to be revered as ground breaking and Morrissey and Marr as icons. Morrisseys solo stuff is far better and Marr is grossly overrated. This is an ok pop album with a couple of good tracks.

First two are grand - not a fan of the occasional like, yodelling? Like the start of the first one though. Good beat. 'Tis all very meandery and tuneless, isn't it? Good beats though. Except That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore, that song is really good.

Err ok? Kinda forgettable.

Nice sounds but all felt very similar, was tempted to give it a 3 cause meat is murder is a v interesting song but i was just a bit bored by this as a whole

Bunch of wank. Guitars are nice tho.

2.5 - not awful but I hate his voice

Had high expectations but disappointed

I think I liked the previous Smiths album more. Either way, I didn't really connect to either of them.

Not their best work

oh i hate this man

I didn’t hate them but not my jam. 2

Just a bit meh, prefer other albums by the smiths found this a bit boring

Morrisey’s vocals really irritate me. Some danceable tracks. Probably wasn’t in the mood for it either which didn’t help.

The Smyths have never really excited me. Didn’t this time either.

Didn’t rate this, not particularly memorable

I think they've got better in them tbh, so i'm gonna keep this one low.

It’s okay

Hi, I'm sorry but I just cannot get into Elliott Smith. I've heard a lot of people tell me he's very good and I'm very sorry to hear about his personal issues and his tragic passing but his music always seems so down to me that was hard for me to get into it. I listen to a couple of songs, but I'm sad to say that I just found the music very depressing even though he may be a very talented artist. R.I.P.

I thought a lot of the songs were funny, but I liked listening to them.

Morrissey really hates melody

Would be a good album if not for Morrissey’s voice.

Not my jam

2 out of 5 for me.

Meh. Not really a big fan on The Smiths, and this fight sound any different to any of their other music. Some catchy riffs, though.

Enh

Malgré que j’aime beaucoup The Smiths et la voix unique du chanteur, je n’ai pas été séduit par ce disque. Les arrangements sont pourtant intéressants, frôlant par exemple la musique country dans mes deux préférées : « Rusholme Ruffians » et « No Where Fast ». Ils sont denses et chargés, avec plein de samplings et de couches qui s’additionnent, mais au final, c’est pas aussi facile à écouter que les autres disques du groupe que je connais mieux. Ça ne coule pas autant et la magie n’opère pas pour moi.

This is the third Smiths album I've been obligated to listen to for this project and I hate them more. Okay instrumentation, and then it's a race for worse vocals or lyrics. Thanks for somehow influencing actually good bands like Quicksand, I guess.

Let's just get the obligatory 'Fuck Morrissey' out of the way up front with this one. I mean seriously, this dude is a GIANT piece of shit. Hate his voice, hate his lyrics. Music/instrumentation/production here is probably the best I've heard from them, though still laced with the typical sad jangly bullshit The Smiths are known for. Without vocals, it wouldn't be offensive, but still nothing special. This whole band's position in the history of music is extremely overblown.

Eh, it's ok. The guitar work is great, especially in The Headmaster Ritual (including a really fun guitar riff throughout) and Well I Wonder. But the singing is just mediocre. With a more interesting lead singer this could easily get a 3, possible even a 4. But as it is, it drags down to a 2. Best song: The Headmaster Ritual

Moan moan bloody moan

It’s unfortunate because the music itself on this album is great but the singing is terrible

Beginning to think I don't really like the Smiths. I used to have The Queen is Dead on CD and did really enjoy it. Previously on this list I gave Strangeways a 3 - and struggled with Morrissey on that album. I had not really listened to Meat is Murder before - and IMHO its weaker than both of the above with no real stand out tracks and a bit too much dirgy winging plus Morrissey.

It was like most English food I've had. You know, filling enough but way too bland to ever order it again if there is pretty much anything else on the menu.

It’s like all the British bands from the 80s got together and formed a Cabal where they all agreed to sound exactly the same, because they all knew their sound was awful and they were only capable of producing an inferior and mediocre product, therefore eliminating competition amongst themselves, thus manipulating the free market or whatever, which in turn punished the consumer who was none the wiser and didn’t realize that they were merely pawns in an unjust system of musical tyranny. However, I feel like by rating and reviewing just one British band I’ve therefore rated them all and saved myself time. Haha joke’s on you!!

The Smiths have never really done it for me and this album wasn’t much different

I am pretty neutral on the smiths. They’re fine and I can see why people love them, but they’re solidly in the wouldn’t seek out category for me

I'm back to the stance of The Smiths not being my vibe and I don't have a great understanding why so many people revere them

Morrissey delivers train-of-thought lyrics like he’s a Greek Orthodox priest sing-reading a passage from the Bible.

Just label me as jaded. The repetitive and lengthy repetition of lyrics and music that i enjoyed on the first go, and second..by the third go made me want to yell ..'enough already, i get i, i heard it'! Each song had that issue.

I didn’t love this album IMO the first song is the best on the album Fr

I wanted to like it more

Another rendition of professional and good instrumental band let's their one retarded mate sing over their music who absolutely fucks it. Much better than The Queen is Dead, though not better enough for me to rate it any differently. I had really high hopes after hearing The Headmaster Ritual, as I seemed to enjoy it - and then it just got worse from there. When that stupid cunt started yodelling in I Want the One I Can't Have (loser anthem) I was done. It's such a shame, because I honestly love the guitars and the drums, shame they didn't release a Morrisey-free version of this album, I'd enjoy that a lot better. tldr; good music until the whiny incel starts singing

As much as I enjoy the smiths, I much prefer them in a playlist so I’m not listening to constant melancholy from morrissey. That was not an ideal way to start the morning, I felt like I was mourning by the time I was finished getting ready in the morning. No tracks really stood out for me, thought they were all okay-good but they kind of blurred into one after a while. I may have been the architect of my own downfall with this rating, have I given myself morrissey fatigue by listening to him too much over the years or did I really just not enjoy this album that much?

Not a huge fan of the Smiths, listening to Morrissey sing makes me feel like I'm stood in the middle of Snobs, my shoes sticking to the beer and chylamdia soaked floor, trying not to look as pissed as I absolutely feel. Some of the music was okay, I've just never been a fan of that indie/gothic style. Ummed and arred about whether to rate this a 2 or 3, solely on the last track. It was horrendous- but it's supposed to be horrendous, so job well done on that front.. it's unlike anything I've heard before. That being said, I'd pulled up at a McDonalds drive-thru, at around 4 in the morning just before listening. I was told to wait in bay 4 for my food, and decided to play this last remaining song. Now I can't think of anything worse to do than hear this song, whilst sitting in a cold dark car, waiting for someone to hand me 9 chicken selects at some ungodly hour of the morning. I hated every bit of my delicious murder-food, and despised myself for licking my fingers after. So I've settled on 2 stars, because I didn't need Morrissey or the rest of the Smiths judging me when I was already at a low point, eating chicken in a frosty car, at the arsehole of dawn.

didnt know how to feel. Dont think I like the blokes voice. Bit messy. Thought I was gonna like the last song until it turned out to be vegetarian propaganda.

Aargh, it's in my head!

kinda strange british stuff

This is not for me: - sounds all the same to me - can't appreciate the vocals; sounds like a whining kid - the only exception being 'That joke isn't funny anymore', but then again, why is the fade out / fade in around 3:50 required? Maybe that joke was still funny in 1985.

A few good songs but I don't really like Morrisey's voice

I don't like the Smiths

No

The Smiths is voor mij de blauwdruk aan zeikerige Britse Indierock bands. Nooit echt verschrikkelijk, ook zeker nooit geweldig. Gewoon, de blauwdruk. Waarschijnlijk wel echt baanbrekend toen ze begonnen, maar ondertussen zo ontzettend 13 in een dozijn dat je hierover struikeld op Best Kept Secret ofzo. LAstig voor mij om dan nu te reviewen, want als iets ontzettend standaard klinkt, omdat het ooit die standaard heeft gezet is het dan nog wel slecht? Lekker filosofisch op de donderdagmiddag, denk daar maar even goed over na. Muzikaal klinkt het trouwens best wel goed hoor, daar niet van, maar jezus deze zanger is echt een ontzettende zeikerd. Dat vond ik de vorige albums ook al een issue bij The Smiths, en dat is niet verbeterd. Als ze een andere, gezelligere zanger hadden was dit absoluut 4 sterren, nu is het gewoon ok. Hoe verder dit ablum gaat hoe geirriteerder ik raak. WAAROM heeft deze band deze draak van een zanger? Want instrumentaal klinkt dit zó goed!! Hoor die bassline op Barbarism... Echt, what couldve been ... FAVO: The headmaster ritual, Well I Wonder

Musically, decent. Lyrically, like if someone got a teenagers diary from the north in the 80s and picked bits out. Vocally, droll. Not sure what the title track was all about, don't tell me about your mundane existence then complain that I eat meat.

Songs i know : 1 Songs i like: 1 ish Considering I'm a fan of the smiths this is a bit shit by their standards, not a lot happens and I won't go back to it. It's undoubtedly got the smiths style so it's at least got that going for it. Light to mid 2.

Can I shock you? I don’t mind The Smiths (I just fucking hate Morrissey) This is ok - The Headmaster Ritual is a great tune and most of the tracks are pretty boppy. The bass and drums tend to stay the same throughout the songs while Johnny Marr has a mooch on his fretboard and it works pretty well. Morrissey is obviously a cunt and while he throws out some nice melodies, his singing style gets on my tits. Starts to all blur together towards the end and gets very samey. Don’t get quite why The Smiths are as revered as they are. REM’s Losing my Religion came on after this finished and showed The Smiths how you properly do weird indie pop. Highlights: The Headmaster Ritual Lowlights: Everything else was just a bit meh

Is the moment I have to come to terms with the fact I actually like The Smiths? For most of my life my argument has been one of Marr being ace and the songs are great but let down by the singer being a monumental prick. Thankfully I don't need to acknowledge this potentially troubling possibility as I found this album to be bang average despite some excellent melodies as per from Marr. The rest of the band do a solid job on this. Standouts: The Headmaster Ritual I Want the One I Can't Have What She Said Low Points: The last 4 tracks really lost me and I found myself waiting for the album to finish so I could stick on The Best of The Smiths and hear some bangers. Very bangers lite this album. This also must be Stephen at his most warbly and meandering. Fair play for sticking your veganism front and central and ending with a protest song on the matter but I've just won a load of meat at a meat raffle and I can't wait to get stuck into it.

Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it. Just was just a load of bang average Smiths songs. One stood out as decent until the bass solo came in and stuck around for too long like an odious fart. 5/10. Round it down because of, well, Morrisey

Found it a bit muddy and indistinct, tracks blended into each other even on third listen. The only bit I remember is when he says "meat is murder" which reminded me to have lunch

okay, some good songs that i liked the sound of

Álbum de sonoridade bem repetitiva Ideia muito política, pouca diversão

I've heard this album before. Nice melodic arrangements, but Morrisey's vocals detract and result in an album that never resonates or seems to match the passion of the lyrics.

Yet another from Morrissey and Co., that makes quite a few on this list if you include solo albums. Only saved two tracks on here, one just for the funny lyrics of "I'd like to drop my trousers to the Queen," hilarious. Around that time I was talking to Joey and Jack and we started doing bits of Morrissey lyrics if he was as randy as Austin Powers. "I was looking for some strange, and then I found some strange, and heaven knows I'm randy as hell." "If a randy Mr. Bean, sucked my willy clean, to die with a bonk-on would be the randiest way to die." That's about the gist of it, more entertained by that bit than this album. Also the title track with cows mooing is so lame, reminds of that PJ Harvey "war album." Favorite tracks: I Want the one I Can't Have, Nowhere Fast. Album art: I do like this cover, a bit of a classic. Soldier in the trenches, with the title on his helmet, plus the title is also on the side. It's good. 2.5/5

Good band out of the 80’s . Good sound, good music.

Confession: any smiths I have heard thus far I have not liked. Not to mention that current day morissey is an ass. So was not expecting much from this album. However, I was pleasantly surprised that I didn’t hate this album. It was pleasant enough and I enjoyed a few tracks. I’m still not a smiths fan but I can now see why somebody might be.

Some good grooves, but overall not my favourite Smiths album

Hmmm...I think this album is too much Morrissey and it kinda all sounds the same. Was disappointed.

Meh. 2/5

Sings like he cat be bothered singing, so why should I be bothered listening?

Why is this below average band all over this listst that’s supposed to be innovative?

sounds like every other smiths album. they're good but repetitive. 4/10

not for me

Morrisey’s singing is not particularly good or interesting. If you can get past that the guitar stuff is decent.

I like the backing band but morrisey is not my cup of tea. All the songs all end up sounding too similar too

Morrissey sing the same melody throughout the album. "What She Said" has an amazing groove and then Morrissey starts with his minimal midrange 6 tone vocal range which flattens the entire groove. There are times where it works such as the harmonies in "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore". The bass line in "Barbarism Begins at Home" is quite delightful. Wish they would have been brave enough to add more on the album but again Morrissey flattens the song with his 6 toned voice.

If this is a top tier Smiths album I don't wish to hear less critically acclaimed records from their discography. 2*

This album just didn’t really do it for me. The only song I super enjoyed was Barbarism Begins at Home. Not necessarily a bad album, just didn’t grab me. The two stars feels almost wrong… yet here we are

Just really not a fan of his voice.

2 star for me. I appreciated the brevity but I wasn’t a fan of the lead singer. The British nasally sound really isn’t my thing!

I hope you enjoy The Smiths sound, because it does not change at all on this album. Every song is very similar. If that's what you're into then you have a winner here. I was not crazy about it and was really just waiting for this album to end.

Smiths. Meh.

The voice annoys.

So I like Johnny Marr but I don't care for Morrissey. Aint that a pickle?

I started thinking this was quite good. Upbeat (for Smiths) and quite easy on the ear. And then all of the songs started being the same and it just blurred into one. I did t quite make it to the end as a result.

Can take Morrissey in small doses - whole album of jangly guitars and mournful vocals was a bit much

So, so sick of Morrissey and the Smiths

Super boring! And an erroneous premise.

Just couldn’t get into this.

had a hard time listening closely but like the overall sound of the album. songs didn’t differentiate much for me

Helt intressanta melodier och gitarrspelande men sång rösten är inget att hänga i julgranen. Plus för namnet och konsten på albumet.

So whiney

The hard part for me with this band is that every song tends to sound the same and blurs together. They can change the arrangement and instrumentation heavily (like the jokey country "Rusholme Ruffians"), but that vocal tone and delivery always just sounds the same. I hate to hate on the record because "the" sound is good, and there's lots of cool elements to the music- the drums are tight, the bass is often playing very creative parts, and the guitar does really well with only shining when it needs to. The entire outfit is very cohesive. I didn't however have a moment in this album where I said "wow, this is a special track, let me get a better look at the name so I remember it". It came and went.

Great to be depressed with

Some good sounds but couldn't get in to it.

Another British Rock album

Bit monotone!

Meat is murder- Don’t like Morriseys voice or Melodies. Don’t really love the drums either. The guitar styles can be cool probably the best part about the band. I Don’t really care for the songs either.

One of the most overrated bands out there in my opinion. I really can’t stand his voice.

I don’t get why they are so popular. The songs all kinda sound the same. Hated the Meat is Murder song

Banger!

Feels like all of these songs could be playing as the closing credits role on an 80s brat pack/teen angst movie.

Love his voice, but overall found this album sort of boring and samey throughout. No particular stand out tracks to break up the flow.

By this point, I've already heard a good percentage of The Smiths' discography. And I don't get the love. I do understand the influence. They have a distinct sound which you can hear in more modern bands. But as far as actually enjoying the music in itself, I dunno. I don't get it, I guess. The music is just okay.

Meat is delicious. Why do people worship Morrissey? 2.5

Don’t love it

It's tricky, because I can hear the quality of Marr et al's work on this, but I just can't get past the fact that I really dislike Morrisey and his vocals.

Trash. The best way I can sum up how Morrissey sings IsByTypingLikeThisToShowcaseThatHeNeedsToBeSingingAtAllTimesBecauseHeNeedsToBeAlwaysHeardAndRarelyGivesTheSongRoomToBreatheForTheOtherInstrumentsToShowcaseWhatTheyAreDoing. That being said, i don't like Morrissey. He is shite. But the music was very cool. A lot of cool ideas. Morriseys Ego is just too big, I think. Maybe I'm completely wrong.... But from what I gather from him, he's quite the wanker. Should've been a one, but as a whole, this gets a notch up.

# 279 : I don't love it, I don't hate it, I can listen to it, a couple of things stood out, Love the guitaring, can't stand the singing.

Second album from the Smiths….doubling up already?

#277. This is almost tolerable. Seriously, it's the best Smiths album I've listened to so far. Still not good, but you know, less painful to hear. The lyrics are pretty cringe, especially on the title track, but if you don't pay attention to them very much, it's almost halfway decent. 2/5: almost.

It took a while for this album to get engaging, but once it hooked me I found it captivating. Which is a shame; the last 3 songs are excellent, but the first 6 were not interesting at all for me. I'm glad it ended on such a strong note with a lot to say, I only wish it had more substance throughout the album. Top tracks: Well I Wonder, Barbarism Begins at Home, Meat Is Murder

Pretty annoying

Heard a lot about this album so I was curious initially. I know this band is well known and regarded, but I found this album a mixed bag. Some interesting instrumentals and the energy is good, but some songs got quite repetitive and dragged on. Wouldn't listen to most of it again. Maybe I would prefer one of their other albums, but I'll have to see when I get them. Highlights: Rusholme Ruffians I Want the One I Can't Have

Bleibt bei mir einfach nicht hängen. Nette Instrumentierung, aber keine packende Songs, plätschert so dahin. Not my band.

Boring as hell. And I still have to deal with all of the Morrissey albums yet. 😑

A couple interesting tracks, but just OK for me overall.

Annoying singy voice Dont like depressing songs

Lowkey fett mid. Gillar vissa av the Smiths låter men klarar fan inte hur mycket som helst av Morrissey. Fuck honom. Vet inte typ inte jättenice bara

Inte så bra som jag trodde det skulle va Bästa låt: Barbarism begins at home

Was not a fan of the previous the smiths album this list threw at me. Not a fan of this one either

Hard to say whether I don't like this album or I don't want to like this album. Morrisey's voice is whiny and his lyrics are all over the place. Not for me I guess.

good guitar tones i think not for me, listened while working so I probably missed out on the lyrics

the smiths > morrissey but still not *that* great.

Meh...this album makes it hard the be a Smith's fan

He’s got a point

Gitarrenrock, ganz schön und etwas langweilig

Typical 80’s British rock

Could have been a 40 minute song - same beat, same guitar, same mad warbling not for me

I’ve tried multiple times and Morrissey just doesn’t do it for me. Shame because the instrumentals on this album are generally pretty fun.

Meat is delicious.

I liked it until I heard the singing

Boring

Morrisey as at his usual shitty level, sounding like he’s making up the words and melody as he goes along. The funky bass lines and catchy guitar hooks keep this from being a complete travesty.

The instrumentals are so good, but then Morrissey's vocals come in and ruin the songs.

Never did understand the appeal of Morrissey. I can get into the jangly guitar rhythms & then suddenly Kermit the frog starts singing the same 3 notes over everything for 4 mins.

Great guitar work but the rest fell a bit flat for me. Best Song: Barbarism Begins at Home Worst Song: Rusholme Ruffians

I'm not sure what the fascination is with The Smiths on this list. Gah. I would give you one Smith's album for giggles -your pick because they are basically all the same. Yet, here we are again...more Smiths. Zzzz.

Oh boy did I find this really dull. Oops! Favourite track: What She Said.

Despise Morrissey - take him away and you have great musicians. Some say he IS the band. Could have been so much more without a pretentious lead singer - no he is not eclectic.

2 decent songs but wholly unremarkable

Песни неоправданно затянуты, на мой взгляд. Это сбивает конечно темп и оценку

That was ok. You can hear the 80s « indie » rock throughout. Kinda boring. 2 stars

I was laughing during the last (title) track. Why didn't Marr team up with a decent singer? Combine the histrionic lyrics with those whiny vocals and that poorly worded final song is just a joke.

They have a very particular sound that is okay but the last track kinda drones and whines on. I hear their influence elsewhere but they're just OK to me

Not my favourite Smiths album. Nice familiar sound but dull.

Not going to become a vegetarian anytime soon. Lead song Beetlebum and Song 2 are good, the rest of the album weak; seems like the songs were written by someone with a very depressing childhood. (1.9*s)

How does Morrissey manage to sound so morose on top of these light-hearted rockabilly guitar riffs? They have a recognizable sound but, aside from a few songs here and there, I've never really been that into them. I do like that they purposely never used synths (at a time when those were dominating) but I don't really need politics and anti-establishment in my jangle pop. I'm glad I listened to a full album by them but a lot of it sounds the same. Morrissey is too pretentious, the lyrics are weak, and nothing stands out here. This album is too centered on corporal punishment and controversy for me, it needs more protein.

A few melodic songs, most distorted.

Lots of instrumental not a lot of singing

Haven't listened to their whole discography, but this is a lot worse than The Queen Is Dead. No songs really stand out, it doesn't cut in the way that their other albums do, 2/5.

This was rather disappointing because I grew up with my dad playing The Smiths greatest hits a lot and only a couple of the songs stood out to me.

I’ve heard of The Smiths as being influential and was interested in listening to this well regarded and former #1 album. However, this fell flat for me and I didn’t particularly enjoy any song. The guitar work seemed fun at times but I couldn’t really get into it.

Indierock und Post-Punk. Aber mir etwas zu seicht.

Tenho uma séria dificuldade em diferenciar as músicas do The Smiths ainda Fav tracks: That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore Least fav track: Barbarism Begins At Home

Not a huge Smiths fan but decent

Pretty depressing. That's all I can say.

It's ok. Kind of boring. 2.5/5

Below expectations

The Smiths! Morrissey! So what. 'I Want the One I Can't Have', has some good lyrics. My personal list has albums I want to listen to more than once. 2*

Didn't blow me away and I'm reviewing this days later

Insufferable rubbish.

Second Smiths album. Second negative review. I don’t see my attitude towards the band ever changing.

Brittiuikutusrokki on raskasta.

naja

Meh.

I do not like The Smiths. I appreciate centering acoustic guitars, but goddamn I hate Morrissey's vocals. They're so sad and blasé. Even with cool music playing in the background, once Morrissey's vocals kick in, it kills the song. So moody. His singing makes every song sound the same. Also the title track, "meat is murder." C'mon man.

Really quite average.

Just a bunch of noise

Not a horrible album, but I’m still just not a fan.

Have you ever been to a party where the music is really good and the vibe is chill until some insufferable jobby comes along and just ruins everything. This is The Smiths. The band is cool yet Morrissey is the warbling, whiny pissant who just destroys the mood with his yammering and incessant piffle. All that said, How Soon Is Now is an all time banger but it's only on the US release not the UK edition which Spotify has. So exhausting.

I just don't understand this band....On paper, I probably should be into them. Instead, I find them just irritating to listen to overall. Morrissey is a piece of shit and can't sing his way out of a paper bag....

Did not f w this at all. I like some of the tracks on here like well I wonder, but most of it is just grating instrumentals and annoying vocals from morrisey. Wish this had been another smiths albums.

Just okay. I didn't hear anything that grabbed me as musically unique. But maybe that's just 8s0s music.

Liked it well enough back in the day but not a fav. 2/5

Not impressed

Surprised this was a bit Meh.

Morrissey is boring to me. He seems like a fucking prick, too.

80s are incredible not my thing

Noisy

dull

Either you love the The Smiths, or you don't. I don't.

I think I expected a bit too much from this one. There’s an awful lot of talk amongst the online music community that all of The Smith’s small discography are essential, five star albums but this didn’t strike me that way at all. I did expect a bit more also after coming off of the joy I got from Morrissey’s sophomore solo project but this one didn’t grab me that way; only a couple of songs pulled me in. One of them was “Meat is Murder”; enjoyable tune with something to say but not going to lie, it won’t make me give up pork chops.

Was ok but nothing special. Wouldn’t turn off but also wouldn’t look for it.

Not my cup of tea.

The Smiths - Meat is Murder This is a very quintessential representation of 80s music. I had always seen the cover of this album and thought this must be a real edgy album, but I was wrong once I listened to it this morning. To me, it's nothing special. It's not bad, it's just...there. However, Johnny Marr's guitar playing is phenomenal and I do love the slight rockabilly sound on the song Rusholme Ruffians and I even like Morrissey's attempt at a Chris Isaak vocal on the word Devout. I prefer the Queen is Dead in regards to a Smith's album, and I can hear how they will there from this album. Morrissey is a pompous prick and when you read about the making of this album you come away thinking, "What a knob." If you enjoy the 80s and the music coming from the UK at that time, then this album is for you. 2/5

Morrissey has like, two notes. Is that even singing? At least it's a relatively short album at just under 40 minutes.

The Smiths are boring

Look, angry sad boy music is clearly my thing, but Morrissey has shown himself time and time again to be a preening narcissist. And, oh boy, I am tired of narcissists who think talking about how sad they are means they can turn around and shit on everyone else. I cannot separate art from the artist when it's just pathetic whining from someone who has very little introspection or desire to improve one's self for the better. Johnny Marr's guitar is fucking awesome though

Mom was right. Every song sounds the same. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Meh. That's all I have to say about that.

Not for me

I don't hate the Smiths, but this one is somehow disturbing.