Reviews (page 6 of 14)
The Headmaster Ritual is an insanely good opener. Morrissey’s vocals are so unique, and his writing style is seminal. The instrumentation is ahead of its time, such a beacon for soft rock and college intellectual pop of the 90s. I can think of more iconic singles released on future albums as far as guitar work, but god this is a good album from The Smiths.
Quand même chill, wtf la dernière toune
There’s not a full smiths album I like, this one’s probs the best of the ones I’ve heard
Was ok. Do like the Smiths. Not overly political this one
It's a Smiths album. There are the some singles that are great, and Morrissey's humour shows through, but the sort of etherial sound that is the trademark Smiths sounds sounds a bit tired on this album.
Bit old school rock
Мутотень редкостная, от силы 5,5 из 10. Не в моём вкусе.
Barbarism is a banger in a album that lacks other great Smiths songs. I'd do with The Queen Is Dead instead. Thanks.
Not sure why this one is on here, decent record, but really The Queen Is Dead is the one Smiths album that needs to be on the list.
I like the Smiths without really liking the Smiths all that much. But I listened all the way through and was rewarded. Several quality songs on this one, and by the end I could appreciate it. Favorite songs: "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore." "Well I Wonder" "Barbarism Begins at Home"
A gem of angsty, witty, and even farcical tunes by the most melodiously cynical crooner Manchester has ever produced. Morrissey is at his best with the Smiths, as they masterfully surround his rants with tight and memorable hooks and rhythms. I love this album, but the Smiths are mostly a singles band with their best album being their last in Strangeways, Here we Come. Still, I can't help but give them the five star nod.
I enjoyed this a lot more than the last Smiths album I got. However fuck Morrissey now and forever
Oh, and who hears when animals cry? ¡Un maraviloso disco!
I think I liked this in spite of Morrisey being a bit of a wanker. The music is really strong, and the lyrics good. The title track is turgid but the rest is easy on the ears.
*The Headmaster Ritual: love everything about this, it's so reverb heavy and spaced out. little bit gothy? *Rusholme Ruffians: really really like it. this sounds like so much music I already listen to I Want the One I Can't Have: vocals are a bit iffy at certain points but it doesn't ruin the song. I adore the way the guitars sound on this record, really easy on the ears What She Said: mix is weird on this one, the vocals are so forward you can barely hear what the instruments are doing. it sounds like an intentional choice but I don't like it personally. *That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore: the "kick em when they fall down part" goes crazy. melodramatic as hell. repetitive but it's effective, not annoying *Nowhere Fast: this song sounds sooo goooood. *Well I Wonder: most listened track on the album. seems to be for good reason, it's gorgeous and his vocals really shine here Barbarism Begins at Home: seven minute song, locking in. why is he barking??? pups against corporal punishment. no need for this to be as long as it is, there's probably four or five minutes of good song in here Meat is Murder: crazy intro, genuinely a bit unsettling. lyrics are so blunt and melodramatic that it borders parody. weird choice to throw this in at the end and then name the entire album after it but I respect a militant vegan __ SCORE: 7/10 ADDED TO PLAYLIST: The Headmaster Ritual, Rusholme Ruffians, That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore, Nowhere Fast, What I Wonder
Not even my favourite Smith's album but still a clear 5. RIP Andy Rourke - Barbarism Begins at Home is one of my favourite songs of all time, and it's because of the bass.
such a good album; nice and jaunty. maybe the best bass guitar album ever.
The Headmaster Ritual - 5/5 Rusholme Ruffians - 4/5 I Want the One I Can't Have - 4/5 What She Said - 3/5 That Joke Isn't Funny - 5/5 Nowhere Fast - 4/5 Well I Wonder - 4/5 Barbarism Begins at Home - 4/5 Meat Is Murder - 2/5 Average score: 3.9/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ i still think The Queen Is Dead is The Smiths at their peak, but this was okay. i think the preachiness of the last track knocked my rating down a bit more than i hoped
5/10
meh, British political rock. Kinda whiney
I never particually cared for smiths, still dont.
RANKING 1) Meat is Murder - 8.6 2) That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore - 8.3 3) What She Said - 8.25 4) Barbarism Begins At Home - 8.17 5) Well I Wonder - 8.15 6) I Want The One I Can't Have - 8.1 -------LIBRARY LINE--------------------- 7) Nowhere Fast - 7.95 8) Rushholme Ruffians - 7.6 9) The Headmaster Ritual - 7.4 CALCULATED RATING - 8.06 PERSONAL RATING - 7.45 Guitar was good, the folk singing (something I commonly do not like) was very prevalent and brought it down. Lyrics were a mixed bag. Didn't love it, didn't hate it.
GUESS WHOS BACK! And not a bad album to start off with. With "The Queen is Dead" prolly being my favourite album so far on this project, expectations coming into this were high. I don't think this disappointed. There wasn't a song on this that matched the quality of TQID but still a good album nonetheless.
Barbarism Begins at Home was awesome. The rest was okay, didn't love it, didn't hate it. I think my distaste for Morrissey as a person is tainting my appreciation of the album haha.
achei bem mid :( tem boas musicas mas eles têm álbuns melhores
Music is good, lyrics are clever but as usual Morrissey’s vocals are challenging. I find it distracting and unnecessary. Otherwise a good album.
Solid album. Pretty 80s though. The Smiths have a much softer sound than I imagined.
Not my favourite material by the Smiths, but still good.
I’ve lost track of how many Smiths/Morrisey albums I’ve had to endure from this list. Shit’s probably messing up my algorithm. Anyways, I don’t like Morrisey’s voice and not a big fan of the bands overall sound either. As for this album, no stand out tracks, it was all meh.
A third Morrissey album? I feel like that Michael Scott meme where he's screaming, "No! God, no! Why?!" To be fair, it wasn't as bad as I expected it to be. I find Morrissey's whiny crooning a bit unbearable at times but I love the guitar sound and can hear how The Smiths have been influential. And I even really like, not just tolerated some songs like "Well I Wonder" And I'm sure there will be people who read this review and just think I'm not giving The Smiths a chance because Morrissey is insufferable...I actually know little to nothing about his character, although I am aware people don't like him as a person. No prior knowledge made me dislike The Smiths; I was actually looking forward to the first album by them that I was assigned, but it turns out, after two Smiths albums and one Morrissey solo album, I do not like this music very much at all.
Doesn't hit the heights of Queen is Dead but still very good.
As an indie rock lover, it baffles me that it took me so long to listen to The Smiths. I thoroughly enjoyed this album and would listen to it again happily! This is the best vegan album I've ever listened to.
1001 Albums Generator 148 (10/25/2025) Some amazing guitar and bass work throughout. The end of the album is particularly fantastic, besides the meandering, weird title track. This album went so hard while I was eating a burger. 4/5. Favs: That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore Well I Wonder Barbarism Begins At Home Least Fav: Meat Is Murder
I like the Smiths, I do not like this album. Not sure why this is here ahead of The Smiths or The Queen Is Dead.
The iconic sounds of the Smiths is undeniable on this album - Marr’s guitar really shines through as always, for instance - but ultimate the song-writing and vocal delivery from Morrissey falls flat, leaving the album feeling pretty underwhelming. “Well I Wonder” is a particular high point, but the other tracks don’t leave much of an impression. It’s definitely the weakest Smith’s album I have come across to date.
Har sansen. Liker hele pakken. Dette albumet ble litt lite variert. Lander på en svak firer.
I forget sometimes what an original and awesome guitarist Johnny Marr is. Then I listen to an album like this and am instantly reminded. A really good album, but also could be the answer to "which album has the worst title track of all time?"
I hate vegan propaganda but I love the Smiths
First listen. Alright, so I have listened to The Queen Is Dead before, and I did really like that one. Similar to Surfer Rosa, I feel like this is a bit less fully developed than the album that would succeed it. It's still perfectly good; I very much enjoy the Smiths as a band overall, at least from what I've heard of them so far. Meat Is Murder opens really strong and ends really strong, as seems to be the case with a lot of albums, but the middle section is just fine, as far as I'm concerned. High 3, but not quite a 4, I guess. Fav. Track: Barbarism Begins at Home Reaction: 🙂
I love the Smiths, but I've never really been able to love Meat is Murder. Headmaster Ritual is great, but the rest of the album was a let down. There was one exception, however; Andy Rourke's playing thoughout the record was inspired. I don't think I'd really noticed the bass part much in other Smiths songs, but I was consistently blown away by Rourke on Meat is Murder.
Solid. Though all the songs all kinda sounded very same same.
Would not buy
The Headmaster - classic guitar intro - ooh the vocals ooh nannanana yayayy are real nice - repetitive, but i feel like its just opening the door to the rest of the album Rusholme Ruffians - ooh LOVE that riff - can definitely hear some of that "heaven knows i'm miserable now" in the way the singer plays with their vocals - outro is cool, like a mechanical switching of songs I Want the One I Can't Have - oh hell yea, sad beachy vibes for sure - beach vibes, car chase, probably my favorite track out of the 3 so far What She Said - nice rockin intro - vocals are such a contrast to the instrumentals; they're so upbeat and then you have the melancholic vocals, especially in this track. i can see why they have such a cult following! That Joke Isn't Funny - now theeeese are the instrumentals i'd expect with these kind of vocals, slower and moodier - oh whoah, just when the song i think is over it fades back in from the dead where it left off, really cool Nowhere Fast - doesn't stand out too much from the rest for me it feels like Well I Wonder - back to slower and sad - well, vocals are sad, instrumentals are chill and kinda soft/beachy in parts Barbarism Begins at Home - love the instrumentals - love the dog barks into the mic hahaha kinda unexpected but not unpleasant - my guy likes his drawn out outros - bass is dope at the end Meat is Murder - as a long time vegetarian; respect lol - like the distortion, sounds pretty different to anything else so far - COWS ? - first song i've heard that is so pro vegetarian, its cool - can't tell if its a kid, a woman or a pitched version of his vocals in the background but its giving me babe vibes which add to the vegetarianess of it all - dang this song came out of left field yet is the title track? maybe the rest of the album is what's out of left field despite being a tumblr kid of the 2010s, i've never listened to a smiths album back to back. i like the instrumentals a LOT, and the messaging and lyrics are dope too! however i don't think i jive well with the lead's vocals, which is too bad as i like the juxtaposition between the upbeat instrumentals and the sad vocals. there's just something thats like can "they put the mic away for a sec? i want to hear more of the isntruments!" all in all alright album, not a fave but don't hate it either.
Great freaking album. Morrissey? Annoying as hell. But his singing is the perfect accompaniment to Marr’s guitar. Loved this.
My God, everything about The Smiths is fantastic. If you don't like them, you're probably walking the wider path. 4.5/5 album. Timeless.
-1 star for the sanctimonious Johnny Marr.
So far this is the Smiths album that I have enjoyed the most. However, that does say much as the others were very low in their review.
For me the last great Smith’s album. The beginning of the end.
One of my growing up albums so I know the tracks like I know the lines on my own palm. I haven't listened to the entire album in ages though, and I still love it
For quite a while Spotify was trying to make me a Smiths fan and I kept resisting, I don't want to start this again so I did use a private session for Spotify. This album is pretty meh and that long song is unbearable.
Solid
I'd never really listened to the Smiths. I knew the name Morrissey. I hated this at first, but after a few songs his voice really started to resonate. After listening to the whole album, I was hooked. This is a masterpiece. The musicianship is outstanding.
It's not my favorite Smiths album but it's still The Smiths. Unique writing and lyrics that feel dreamlike to listen to, with pleasant instrumentals. Morrissey is still a piece of garbage, though.
Musically great. Guitar, bass and drums all top notch. But the sacral vocals aren't my favour. favourite: "Barbarism Begins At Home", "Rusholme Ruffians"
This was fine, maybe it was the only stuff that sounded like this in the 80s because I know the smiths are pretty popular. Nothing special to me though.
Great production and sound, varied songs, holds up very well.
Although it’s a little theatrical for my taste, I did really enjoy this album. It’s very obvious to see where the power and passion came from during this time.
Deeply not my thing but I get it now. I get it.
Probably the weakest Smiths album for me, but still very good.
really liked it. kind of boring in the middle though
I think The Smiths may be one of the few examples of a band where each subsequent album they released is better than the previous one. The debut has some great tracks but the production is tinny and horrid, then Meat is Murder has the band stretvhing itself more and better production, next The Queen Is Dead where Marr and Morrissey bring in more orchestration and nail the epic pop song with Bigmouth Strikes Again and There is a Light... and lastly, my personal favourite album of theirs and their swansong Strangeways. But listening to Meat is Murder again for the first time in years has got me questioning that narrative as I think it may be on a par with the more widely-lauded The Queen Is Dead which has a few clunkers. It's definitely Andy Rourke's best album with the group with some stellar and almost downright funky basslines. The three track run in the middle of the LP is amongst the best in their catalouge - What She Said, That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore, Nowhere Fast. The upward trajectory theory of the Smiths may be ruined but at least we still have the downward trajectory of Moz as a human being which shows no sign of being reversed.
Did you even try to be happy
Sound very much as I expected the smiths to sound after having heard Morrissey. Its the kind of music where I really enjoy 1-3 songs of an album and listen to them a lot but skip the rest. This album is no different. Not bad but nothing I will listen through from start to finish again.
Albums by The Smiths are always a bit tricky. Such an incomparably good singles band, but your tolerance for Moz will determine how well the albums play. Which is odd for me - I like several solo albums a great deal more than any Smiths album, but when Marr was locked into a sound, he was redefining or creating genres, sometimes several within the same song, such as The Headmaster Ritual. Unremarked upon by and large, the seeds of Morrissey’s future rockabilly fascination are already blooming here, although the way they function on Meat is Murder is more as filler. Meat is Murder also suffers (or triumphs) with 2 long songs, alongside 2 others that nearly crest 5 minutes. This is the Smiths albums challenge in a nutshell - their singles largely clock in at less than 3 minutes, get in, get out. Contemporaries - foes? - The Cure could crank out 70 minute albums and I wouldn’t want a second cut from any of those, likewise New Order’s remixes, but here...
The Smiths are one of those groups that "everyone" says you need to like. But you know what? I'm not everyone. The Smiths are garbage. Their music is boring and whiney. It's music for people who can't grow a pair and find a way to talk to someone they're attracted to, so they just sit in the corner of the bar and complain about how nobody comes and talks to their shallow, low self esteem self. Were they influential on subsequent rock, grunge, and alternative groups? Sure. That doesn't mean that I have to like their music though. "Everyone" else can have them, I'll be somewhere else listening to more enjoyable music that doesn't make me feel like I'm listening to my little sister's hipster ex-boyfriend whine about why she left him for someone more confident.
Not my favourite Smiths album, but there are some gems on here.
I want to hate The Smiths but I can’t. This is a great album that i didnt pay much attention to back in the day so it is a pleasant surprise. Morrissey is a good singer - his melody choice is often unusual and his timing surprising, which is refreshing, but his voice is distinctively his. The lyrics you might expect to be a bit angsty but they’re well written. But it is Johnny Marr’s guitar that defines the sound, very melodic and fit beautifully with the overall nicely composed songs. The guitar tracks are always restless and layered but never aound crowded or chaotic and its not just one dimensional jangly pop, crosses into a bit of country styling, despite the constant changes it sounds so smooth and flowing, basically sounds like someone who really knows their craft. Good solid backline for the style, makes the melancholy nice and dancey which is a good juxtaposition to the sometimes floaty vocals. I clearly didnt listen to the band too closely back when i was young because i dont recall the bass player being a standout but he is. The bass has a lively funk feel which is great in the context of the band. meat is Murder a bit heavyhanded but i admire Morrisseys passion and ability to turn a phrase in service of that passion at the very least. Some very well put together tracks.
Better than I remembered it. If only Morrissey wasn't singing.
In six years they published four great albums.
Not their best album, but still great and pivotal enough. I've always liked The Smiths and Morrissey, there's something in his voice. Maybe he's just unique enough to find loveable.
I do like The Smiths. I do hate Morrissey.
Never a big Smiths fan to begin with. Not terrible, just not my sound.
I once saw Morrissey at the Apollo Theater in NYC, and everyone there looked like Otho from Beetlejuice.
As a cool and epic meat eater I have to dislike this album on principle. Nah animal rights are based.
First listen...a couple good songs but nothing memorable. It felt like it was missing something
Maybe "How Soon is Now?" was on the cassette I had on that last night of the fair when this album created me, and it seems one star less without it. Otherwise, every squirmy teenager needs this record and the warning fable that is Morrissey today to keep a hand on the tiller.
Outside of the heavy-handed and dreary title track, this is fantastic, a showcase for what a great band The Smiths were. Johnny Marr and bassist Andy Rourke shine on the tight funk of “Barbarism Begins at Home” and the breakaway punk of “What She Said.” The version I listened to (from the band’s official YouTube channel) did not include the world-beating single “How Soon is Now?” that was included in U.S. versions of this release.
I'm sorry!
Morrissey is a Fascist. I'm not gonna listen to this trash.
I support "the Queen is dead" being on this list, but you really only need one Smiths record to get the idea. This one isnt the one you need, not only because the title track has aged poorly but because this was the turning point where Morrissey went from sanctimonious to insufferable.
A wonderful sounding album. The Smiths deserve their spot in music history.
A great, original record by a great original band. Too good to last.
Everyone needs a copy of this (and all other) The Smiths album.
Es un Smiths que desconocía, me agrado saber que es su esencia
This is a good album. The version I listened to did not include “How Soon is Now”. Which would have made it a great album.
5/10 I can hear the direction of travel that The Smiths are taking with this album, but for me they haven’t really quite hit on the winning formula that they’d reach on The Queen Is Dead the following year. All too often, Id’d find myself waiting for a hook or an engaging chorus to land and it never really arrived. The framework for things is there, but unfortunately there was rarely anything that really grabbed me and demanded my attention. I mention it in my track by track, but it often felt a little bit aimless, like they were searching for something they couldn’t quite find in the same way that I was as a listener. There were also places where the blend of the band and Morrissey’s vocal just didn’t gel all that well. It probably wasn’t helped by the mix, which typically placed a reverb-soaked Morrissey far too prominently and relegated the band to background artists, but when things don’t gel in the juxtaposed styles that The Smiths often have between band (jangly, staccato) and vocalist (more of a lazy drawl) it can feel quite jarring. I also found the frequent use of sampled material seems a bit strange, as they often just seem to be added for the sake of it rather than any specific purpose. They work well in places, but in others seem to stick out like a sore thumb. As is sometimes the case with albums by artists whose other work I know better, I found myself singing songs from a different album after this one was over. The sound got into my head, but none of the songs did, which is a shame. It was an ok sound on a fairly uninteresting album, and there’s not really any likelihood I’ll be hurrying back this way again. The Headmaster Ritual - A jangly little intro with some decent riffs thrown in for good measure. The opening of the vocal promises more than it delivers. They keep threatening to break into a hooky chorus, but it never arrives. It’s one of those ‘almost’ songs. Not bad, but also not very memorable. Rusholme Ruffians - A cool, upbeat bass line to kick things off. Morrissey’s voice is a bit odd against this instrumental, it doesn’t quite gel. The song doesn’t really vary much either, so it just feels a bit relentless and uninteresting. Even that cool little bass line just feels stale by about half way through. I Want The One I Can't Have - Some great guitar work here. This is a better song, there’s more variety between the sections and it’s got great pace. What She Said - This sounds like the band and Morrissey are almost playing a different song to each other. Morrissey is too loud and swamped in reverb, the band is playing some pretty driven stuff, but Morrissey is flouncing over the top. It all just feels a bit aimless. That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore - Things are much more aligned here between music and vocals. Things are a bit meandering though. I have no problem with soundscape type tracks, but there has to be something more to grab onto than there is here, and feel like the album as a whole at this point has been very thin on things to really connect with. Nowhere Fast - There’s a bit more verve to this and the verses are really great, but then there isn’t really a chorus, just some sort of bridge bits and instrumental sections. This could be a really great track if they’d bothered to write a chorus. The guitar lines in the verse sections are quality, and the vocal is solid and compliments it well, but it just doesn’t deliver on its promises again. Well I Wonder - This one’s quite nice. It’s got a good blend of tones from the instruments and a satisfyingly complete sound to it. There’s decent momentum and the bass keeps things rolling along. It doesn’t do anything vastly exciting, but it’s a nice listen and a good vibe. Barbarism Begins At Home - This is a great track with lots of movement to it and it feels very well balanced. There are some great little hooks from the instruments and vocals. The blend of almost frantic work from the guitars and the lazy drawl from Morrissey create that distinctively Smiths sound that is the backbone to their best work. Really nice bass work too. Meat Is Murder - This is pretty good. It’s a bit more meandering and plodding, but it has quite a nice sway to it. There are some good riffs and lines here too, but it all just drags on a bit too much without enough variation for my tastes. Not a terrible way to end the album, but it is pretty long and dreary.
If there was a fight between Strangeways, Here we Come and Meat is Murder, I think this one would win, and be crowned my favourite studio album by the Smiths. Their eponymous debut was a disappointment after those early singles - that stodgy production pulled the life out of some great songs, and The Queen is Dead, while obviously a great record, has a couple of tracks that I really need to be in the mood for. Meat is Murder sparkled production-wise - this is peak Smiths: the humour, the melodies, those guitars and THAT bass - I swear Andy Rourke is the unsung hero in the Smiths... Anyway, yes, five stars - a belter.
Off the cuff remark: feel like this has "generated" a lot of Morrissey of late... (3rd album in a fortnight??) but it is a fine album, tainted by his idiocy in more recent times. The music is still wonderful. Title track is disturbing still, as it should be. It IS a great album Standout track: apart from the title track That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore and Barbarism Begins at Home are on this album, do you need to know more? Revisit?: it is depressing to have a great body of work undermined by a tosser, but the power of the before will bring me back to the Smiths still.
good but often 1 note and the vegetarian anthem is kinda corny frankly
3/5
I respect writing an entire album around an issue you care deeply about, but this didn’t work for me, I became exhausted by the lyrics and by the last track having animals bleating it was just not enjoyable music anymore. Which is fine. Enjoyed that joke isn’t funny anymore + barbarism begins at home a ton!
Very good album with a nice sound to it. Barbarism Beings at Home has a excellent instrumental track and resonated very strongly.
peak
This is my second time listening to an entire Smith's project. This effort is earlier than The Queen is Dead, and I wonder if that's why I like it more. I feel the instrumentals are pretty here, meshing, in my opinion, better with the vocals than the slightly more angst gaze I'm more familiar with. Still not something I'd put on. Sounds like melancholia with a smirk. 2.8/5
Dece, not their best
Færste gang jeg hører The Smiths. Ikke det helt store. Har hørt det er nogle der gror på en og jeg hørte glimpse af gode sange. Så giver dem bogle flere chancer 5-6/10
Either my favorite or second favorite to The Queen is Dead. Perfect melancholy throughout
3 this was fine
Track 1 - enjoying so far, not really focusing, but giving smiths vibes. Which makes sense because uh, it is the smiths. OMG I LOVE A FADE OUT!! Track 2 - Very upbeat. This is not what I associate the smiths with. I really like the vibe though. Track 3 - I’d like to come back to this because the lyrics I’m picking up sound quite interesting. I’d like to understand the lyricism more. I’m just too tired rn. Track 4 - I love the music. It’s real music. I feel like modern music just doesn’t have the same artistic flair. Track 5 - oof this lyrics hit close to home. (See what I did there). It’s relatively simple, but still beautiful. It feels intentional. Not telling a story, conveying feelings. Repetition does this too Track 6 - Interesting, Oce had picked up again. I like the guitar in this. Immensely so. Final thoughts - definitely really enjoyed the sound, lyrics were interesting, made me want to re-listen already and take notes. 7.8/10
This album is a mixture of the sublime bass and guitar, and much of the composition, mixed with the bizarre and discordant sounds; i.e., this is a Smiths album. This album more than most Smiths album the musicians are let loose and you can sit back and enjoy it. Barbarism Begins at Home has such a strong beginning and almost every song has an instrument-focused interlude where the bass and/or Marr on guitar take you on a bit of a winding journey. However. The elephant in the room is old Morrissey and his role in all this. I have a love hate relationship with old Mozza. This isn’t one of his better albums as a lot of what you get is the whining/crooning vocalisations and the wordplay is missing. He almost becomes the backing instrument. It couldn’t be further from The Queen Is Dead that came a year later. Probably the most balanced song is Well I Wonder and you get the best of everything. Then on the flip side there is the title track, which has the archetypal Morrissey moral grandstanding with animal noises thrown in. Mostly on the strength of the instrumental aspects and a nod to the elements where it does get things right giving this a 4.
Fantastic album of contradictions and absrudity. The Smiths dont follow the norms and in a way shouldnt work. I dont really know anything about the band members but their brilliance is less so about them individually but about how well the concept is literally strung together. They must simply have an coherent artistic vision as it just works (Creates a warm space for the top lyrics). The record is wonderfully volatile, often pivoting into unexpected "micro-places" with a left-field energy. This morphing nature is clearest in tracks like "Barbarism Begins at Home," which features a repetitive, almost absurd rhythmic loop and those odd, barking sounds (who let the dogs out vibe)! Yet, the entire track is so impeccably well-crafted that its strangeness is not just forgiven, but celebrated as a key part of the genius. Unpredictability and emotional depth make this a rewarding, challenging and fun listen.
The Smiths produced some great albums. Johnny Marr is a great guitarist and his complex riffs are rumbling there under the surface of Morrissey's inspired lyricism and artistic wailings. I can see how this could get labelled as pretentious and Morrissey in particular as self indulgent. If you take this sort of artistic risk, it only works if you are good and the Smiths are really good. The songs have real depth with lyrics that will surprise you by lurching from profundity to hilarity. When Morrissey starts singing a line, you never quite know where he will take you with it and there is a satisfying juxtaposition between the upbeat, sometimes funky music in say "Barbarism Begins at Home" and the challenging lyrical themes. The Smiths are great, original, and influential, and, more importantly, if you remember not to take them too seriously they are great fun to listen to.
5.0 This isn't even my favorite (The Queen is Dead) or 2nd favorite (eponymous) or 3rd (Stangeways, Here we come) but still definitely 5.0. When I get to The Queen is Dead I am ranking it a 5.5 because it's the best album ever! Note - if TQisD isn't on this list. . . this project is OVER!
Music was good, I don't like Morrisey's voice (or his politics, and I'm guessing if I knew him personally, I wouldn't like his personality either)
Sort of just a meh album to me. I’ve tried getting into the smiths music before, and it just isn’t my thing. Title track on this album is not subtle and very whiny.
C'mon - 5!
Not bad, not interesting
Besides whatever personal/political reasons people don't like Morrissey (I haven't bothered to look into it), I just don't like his voice. On paper, this kind of post-punk new wave should be a big hit with me... except for that one important detail. If there is an album of instrumentals, or other bands covering all of these songs, I may be interested in those, but I just can't suffer Morrissey's whining for more than a few minutes without wanting to also start whining. My favorite part of the album is the last ~2min of "Barbarism Begins At Home", which is a fun, funky, bass-heavy instrumental jam. It's also followed by the 2 minute intro of "Meat Is Murder" which means you get almost 4 whole minutes without Morrissey singing. Who could ask for more?
It hurts my elder emo heart to say it but this is The Smiths’ only good album. I wish Morrissey wasn’t such a piece of shit so I could enjoy it more.
The singer’s voice is a vibe. Every song sounds the same and he sounds like he’s falling asleep on every track, but I still liked it and would listen again.
3.5
3.5
I'm sorry but Morrissey's vocal delivery absolutely bores the pants off of me.... So at this time I am sitting here in my underwear and a t-shirt giving *Meat Is Murder* a (6.5) ★★★
Not a big fan of The Smiths. Sound really generic. 3 stars
Gonna go 3.5 on this. Not my favorite Smiths album, but not my least favorite either. In general, I prefer side 1 to side 2. "Rusholme Ruffians" and "That Joke isn't Funny Anymore" are the standouts for me.
A pretty strong Smiths album, studio-wise prolly their second best and with really iconic artwork even though on the subject of helmet Morrissey is the biggest one by far. There are some magnificently maudlin highs to be found on The Headmaster Ritual, That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore and the totes funkerific Barbarism Begins At Home and it gets even more sublime if you include How Soon Is Now? It’s really thanks to the mad skillz of Marr and Rourke that these tracks are as intensely brilliant as they are. There is also one almightily shitastic low with the closing handwringing or should that be hoof-wringing title track and that is all thanks to Morrissey. About tuck into a succulent flat iron steak at a nice steakhouse as I’m writing this and will be festively slicing into some turkey once I get home even though it’s not quite the season yet and I’ll be be making an online order for as many lamb cutlets and chicken wings as I can. Might go out shooting for some deer and stamp on some snails as well.
Foarte bun, vibe-uri retro rock / punk / boho , clar de reascultat, cumparat chiar vinyl. O surpriza frumoasa.
É bom demais
A little interesting, good music but not 100% my speed. 5.1/10
fuck you steven morrissey. not even "The Headmaster Ritual" can save this one. most of this bullshit sounds the same and you sound like a whiny fucking prick, which incidentally, you are. okay fine, "Well I Wonder" has great instrumentation, but that's not your doing. also, what the fuck why would anyone want to listen to you bark at them in "Barbarism Begins at Home" and then 2-3 minutes at the end of "OOOOOOHAAAAAHHHOOHOAOHOAOHAAAOOOHOHOHOO" fuck you morrissey racist incel loser lmfao
The Smiths are one of those bands that are so universal, I thought I knew them. I did not, but I really enjoyed listening to this album. Some highlights for me were definitely: - Nowhere Fast - That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore - The general vibe It piqued my interest enough that I may just go into their other albums and see if they're someone I'd slip into the rotation. Hell yeah
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.
https://open.spotify.com/track/3YvIWQbOrEEAxCE1lktLpC?si=C_SadP1_R1ac1l_YyISl5Q Great follow up listen.
Another album that I felt really engaged with instrumentally but have to take points because of the vocals. This time, the difficulty comes from the direct diary reading of lyrics. The best songs on this album come when the listener gets to digest. Nowhere Fast, How Soon is Now?, What She Said, Well I Wonder, all give that room to let everything sink in. Whereas other albums I have issues with vocals, I feel this one it’s not a distraction - I just wish there was a little less of it. But this is always the shot taken at Morrissey - that he takes the spotlight far too often. I’m certainly not the first to discover this. Also why did they play with the volume like that in That Joke? Strange choice - but funny, considering it gave space for the band to breathe after it came back in. Did they also know?
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 love a jangly-jangly geetar
Quite impressive that one band can make a whole career around variations on the same one song.
Awesome sound but a bit same-ey?
The smiths just sound so aggressively like the smiths. I don’t know how else to explain it. This is solid and was easy to have on repeat but didn’t stand out enough to rate higher
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.
am I crazy or do all these songs sound exactly the same
i actually liked this one... the songs sound good and the vibes are on point. the biggest blemish on the record is the downer of a title track that you have to slog through to finish the album. morrissey is nothing if not incendiary and heavy-handed in his messaging, but it doesn't exactly get the party started. favorites: the headmaster ritual, nowhere fast, well i wonder, barbarism begins at home
A good album from end to end, though lacking enough sticking power to move itself higher for me
My first The Smiths album, and also my first contact with this band, as I don't think I've ever heard any song from them, and my expectations where kind of mixed when listening to this for the first time. On one hand, this band has a legendary status, and I was very curious to know why. On the other hand, I wasn't sure if I would like it considering Morrissey's opinions and controversies, that have keeping me away from his music. So, what was the conclusion? I liked it! (as anyone could see from the given score). I have to say, the thing that scared me the most was the one that I liked the best. Morrissey's voice is very smooth and pleasent to listen to, and his lyrics can be very touching and emotional, treating subjects of abuse ('The Headmaster Ritual') or depression ('That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore'). There's also the song 'Meat Is Murder', which talks about how any killing of animals is considered murder. Even though I don't totally agree with the message (I support vegetarianism and veganism, but I believe it is a natural thing to kill for food), the song may be one of the saddest in terms of how it sounds. When talking about the instrumentation, it is very vibrant, wonderful and very well produced (yeah, I don't really have much to say, as I was focused on the lyrics..) In conclusion, a very sad and great experience.
Winderful again. Brought memories of cold, rainy, indecisive days walking across campus.
“Meat is Murder” by The Smiths is one of the more inconspicuous albums suggested to me so far. I like the fresh, transparent sound and the powerful production, as well as Andy Rourke's concise bass playing. The songs go well with Morrisey's distinctive voice and contain a few nice ideas, but for my taste they tend to get lost in trivialities and lose momentum as they progress. That's probably the definition of a solid listen.
When a band has vocals like this it usually sets a depressing tone (still not over my 2-day streak of The Cure), but The Smiths bring an upbeat rhythm in every song that is catchy and lends an extra spring in your bounce. Hugely influential post punk work — just listen to those basslines and guitar strums. 3.5/5
Strong song writing produces a very distinct; polished and modern sound. Really admire the resulting new wave record that flows very well. Great song quality throughout. Not one track i would skip. It misses the one lp defining hit single tho for me.
i'm almost certain my girlfriend gave this a horrible score but 'what she said' is the anthem for smoking on a balcony in the rain at 3am knowing you have to go to work the next day and for that i cannot give this a low score
this is some folk white people shit. and i guess latinos too since they love this man. i was bored as hell and don't remember what i listened to 😭
No entiendo que se haya elegido este lp de ellos. Falta una canción incontestable.
Not my favourite Smiths album.
7/10
The Smiths sound is so tight,Johnny Marr's guitar and the rest of the crew but Morrisey's vocals could be better but then again this was their second studio album and in 85 ',punkish vocals gave you a sort of freedom to express more,sometimes in purpose (production shoutout) and i wish this was the case here. So, listening carefully I loved the following songs more: The Headmaster Ritual has a lot of ooh lalalalalala iey in it but it's FIRE, Nowhere Fast has an aligory,i mean the song is full of energy but the lyrics are sad almost suicidal and at the end that worked for me weirdly enough, (i had to listen to this twice to appreciate it but i think it worth it), Well I Wonder has a more dreamy feel with beautiful guitar,bass and drums,very melodic and even Morrissey's vocals really works here adding to the atmosphere,bliss,my favourite,ON REPEAT, That Joke isn't Funny Anymore is a dark,pessimistic song and i liked it for that,maybe too much,definately one of my favourites.ON REPEAT too, Barbarism Starts at Home has that fantastic funky disco rhythm and bass/guitar but it could have been half it's time(6:50!) but on second thought it probably was an attempt to those long extended disco funk numbers so it could maybe be played by djs in clubs but definately not in the radio stations. *I want the one I can't have could be a favourite but the vocals ruined this one for me, *RusholmeRuffians was my least favourite,it bored me to death, *Meat is Murder is a heavy requiem that adds to the concept and is the inspiration on this album and i find creative the cow sampling, i get it,i'm an animal lover myself but i won't go there,to the Vegetarian talk, this was too much for me. So with that said it's a 4/5 to me.
Gee, I wonder where the stereotype of sanctimonious vegans comes from? Lyrics from the titular song aside, this has some incredible guitar work on it. I was very pleasantly surprised to find myself getting into a couple songs. This feeling was fleeting, however. The vocals, vapid lyrics and literal barking kept taking me out of it.
I like the smiths but they don’t stand out
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.
I really liked the messages, even though they hurt. The use of cow sounds is painfully good. Feels a bit hypocritical at times (no veganism??) but things are of their time. Not a big relisten for me i think. Just didnt grab me. I dunno. Good to expand the ear. I can see why Hila loves them. THREE!
I think this time period is obviously the peak of the band, but I've never heard this one in full. I'm not sure I really need to explain why the Smiths are good, but you notice more and more how great the bass is as well as the guitars. Johnny Marr often imitates a synth on here with his guitar by giving it some attack, which is genius. The reverbs on here are also quite good, maybe a bit too much, but its the 80s what can you do? I love the somewhat disco inspiration on Barbarism begins at home, but it feels incredibly melodic with all the guitar layers. I've also always liked the subtle inclusion of pianos and keyboards on the earlier stuff, whereas later they got bit less subtle, which I guess is good too. This is probably better than the last album but a little worse than all the others. Meat IS murder. Favourite songs: all but Rusholme Ruffians. Overall around 8/10
Better than any other Smiths album I've heard but still not good
Great in the 80s. Original. A bit dated for me now, though
Never liked the smiths
Pure chore. Morrisey can’t even sing. I loathe the day when the other Smiths album comes.
It’s no “The Queen is Dead”
Jeff Buckley once said, the 80s were bullshit apart from The Smiths. This isn’t their best album but it’s still better than most of what was around at the time and the most relatable band for a working class Brit until Pulp arrived years later. That Joke isn’t funny any more is the strongest track here. Bass line on Barbarism is outstanding. Animal noises on Meat is Murder less so.
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.
The reviews I read were intermittently illuminating--the band was inventive and hot. The vocals and lyrics were, on my limited listening, less arresting. I could imagine albums I might find in the the guitarists' collections based on the shape of their licks and solos. Definitely a re-engineered "Paperback Writer" lick on "The Headmaster Ritual" and other influences apparent on many of the others, including (IMO) Buddy Holly. This album didn't grab me right away, but I'll come back to it again. I have other Smiths records that I like, but I hadn't encountered this one before.
Highlights: I Want The One I Can't Have, Nowhere Fast, Barbarism Begins At Home, How Soon Is Now. In a nutshell: what he said. Note: listened to the US release, which included HSIN. If Morrissey had reeled in his moaning interludes on some of the songs, we'd have a tidy record here. But restraint is not part of Moz's vocabulary. Fantastic bass, guitar and drums, especially Andy's bass on Barbarism. The title track is truly disturbing. Overall: 6/10
I love the Smiths and Morrissey. I’m also vegetarian. Sadly, I think the Smiths have multiple better albums.
Definitely not my favorite Smiths album, but it’s still got some bangers.
This was a lot goofier than I expected. I have a hard time taking Morrissey seriously. The playing is excellent throughout, even the echo-y 80s drums don't bother me that much here, but his voice... oof.
My least favorite Smiths LP. They can’t all be 5’s… right? (4.5)
Not my favorite Smiths album, but still a solid album.
Un altro album medio
Not my fave smiths album. Probably wouldn’t listen again.
very exotic, relaxing
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.
Se utiliza mucho el término "influyente" para definir discos, lo cual es estúpido porque los discos son buenos o malos, pero nadie compone "influyentemente". Sin embargo, a la larga, un disco puede terminar siendo influyente y este lo es. Y además de eso es un excelente disco con un sonido muy propio y unas canciones ejecutadas con gran talento.
Skiffle, but make it jangly
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…
It is ok
The Smiths are an acquired taste (I like them, though). Good album, but I still prefer Morrissey's lyricism over his voice. Some great bass guitar work too, especially that funky-as-hell riff on BBAH. Fav tracks: This Joke Isn't Funny Anymore, Well I Wonder, Barbarism Begins At Home
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!
More Mozza etal. How many more albums!
I unfortunately listened to this while eating a burger. Sorry heifer I do believe you were a beautiful creature.
Not for me. Morrisey lyrics and singing style bores me. I could barely pay attention. 4.0
I loved the last Smiths album I had. I was surprised, given how I've reacted to a lot of other British bands from the 80's to this point. This was no different than the last one for me. Just a really competently put-together album with catchy melodies, great instrumentation, and a driving rhythm section. And a sax, I think, on "What She Said." (Nothing in the personnel notes I can find indicates that it's a sax, but who knows). I never expected to give a Smiths album anything but 2 stars or fewer. I'm happy to have given one four stars and this one three stars. Who knew? One thing I also didn't expect was for the title track to be a literal protest song against the meat industry. I guess I thought they were a little more cheeky than to be so upfront about something. But hey good for them. Standout Tracks: The Headmaster Ritual, I Want the One I Can't Have, What She Said, Barbarism Begins at Home
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.
Les daré otra oportunidad, los errores pasan
Like the music! The little jam sessions at the end of some things is nice. The last song is so preachy and corny though lol. The cows mooing is really something lol. Not going to lie, didnt read too much of the other lyrics but hopefully not as preachy as that. Good thing its the last song so i can skip it. Other than that, the rest of the music is pretty good! Oddly not as political as i thought it would be, just very angsty lol. But honestly the music just really carries, pretty pulsating and good guitar work. 4/5 stars. 25/9/2025
этот альбом мне понравился очень сильно, до этого не обращала на the smiths так как сейчас.
Half the album is classic
Middle of the road The Smiths album for me. All the things I like about the smiths is present here, just isn’t my fav from them.
We have another The Smiths album! Their albums all sound the same to me, which is fine. You could probably just put all their songs on one album and nobody would know. I like The Smiths, so it's a pleasant listen. I'm of the opinion you only need one The Smiths album on this list, and that would cover it. Maybe this list should be 1001 Bands To Listen To Before You Die. 3
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.
I just can't quit you
Dont have much to say I liked it enough I guess. Keeping it the same rating as last time.
Smiths
This one is a bit strange as far as Smiths albums go. There isn't any standout songs when compared to the rest of their catalogue, but the album just works start to finish. More a vibe album perhaps. 4/5
The hell of listening to The Smiths is that it's got good instruments, right up my post-punk alley, but then: Morrissey. Three star ratings are dual purpose for me - it can either indicate indifference or conflicting feelings I can't resolve within the day of the listen. This album gets a VERY conflicted 3.
Basically every Smiths song sounds the same to me. No one song is bad but nothing is exciting. This is put on in the background of a mundane task and zone out music. You typically will not be surprised while listening to a Smiths song. Barbarism begins at home's bassline is solid and makes the song enjoyable. 7.78/10 I'd give it a 3.5/5
Ok
😔
Doesn’t make it to the masterpiece status of Queen is dead but it’s a somewhat close second and an amazing album, it has the best bass from any of the albums in my opinion with pretty much all of the songs, Johnny Marr doesn’t hold back also with the layered jangly guitars which have a kind of electronic synthy sound sometimes with that tone. Mike Joyce is as good as ever, the only thing that doesn’t stand out to the other albums is Morissey’s vocals which are maybe the weakest compared to the others mostly due to the production which make it sound like he’s singing in the shower sometimes as I saw someone else say but that is more of a nitpick as the vocals are usually fine throughout,. This album like TQID also has no skips which the others albums don’t have I think, rushholme ruffians a little bit of a weak link for me but it’s still a decent song, the title track I admit I didn’t appreciate much when I first heard it but it’s become a personal favourite not just due to its strong message, which is one of Morissey's only good takes, but the instrumental is haunting especially with the animal noises which despite maybe being a bit long definitely drive home the message. The disco like influence on Barbarism begins at home is great as well and has such a good bass line, Morissey matches the dance energy with his goofy monkey noises as well. Favourites: all. Overall, 9/10.
I suppose anytime a group has internal friction it's hard not to take sides, wch is what a lot of the reviews seem to do. But however you may feel about each individually, you can't really separate them musically -- and that can energize the music with a fruitful tension, or in the case of The Smiths, emotional contrast. Marr's energetic, often bright or effervescent guitar wants to be pop punk, but Morrissey wants to be a subculture troubadour, and together they stretch the canvas of each song across a broader range of emotion than they could if they were more in sync. For me, it's compelling and interesting even when a song doesn't quite take form, making them unavoidable regardless of how you feel about them.
I didn’t know it was possible to really like a band and their music while finding the lead singer “meh,” but not being so utterly distracting to take away from the music. This is the first Smiths album I’ve really engaged with fully and I found Johnny Marr’s guitar playing is what kept me engaged for the whole album. I can hear early REM even.
Not one of my favorite Smiths albums. Some gems ("Headmaster Ritual," "How Soon is Now" if we're counting it) but more misses than hits. Given how many Morrissey/Smiths albums there are on this list, this feels like an easy one to leave off.
It’s a Smiths album, has their classic guitar tone which I found oh so average. I don’t love The Smiths.
The Smiths have an unmistakable recognizability. I had never listened to a whole album. The intensity is high and the lyrics deserve listening to. So: not for all occasions. But upbeat, with lots of variation and smart. Definitely worth listening to, now and then.
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
It was ok in some places. Wouldn't willingly listen to it again.
Good
4/7
Annoying vocals, annoying songs, with hints of interesting musical bits hidden throughout. Overall, just can't stand the smiths
Eh.
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.
Pretty good.
I did not expect the yodelling in "The Headmaster Ritual"; it is rather... interesting. Seems rather repetetive. Not great singing. Merely the last song provided some much-needed variety (and a pretty weird intro), but that was it.
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.
Fucking good shit. He’s got a great voice and a lovely way with words. Just a good sound all round. Simpsons: Yes
Listened to this when I was tired and grumpy. Perfect.
Excepcional. Los odiaba. Ahora me caen bien.
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.
Genius of a band. Would love to have seen them in their pomp, having to settle for seeing Marr and Morrisey separately. I hope this list also contains other albums of theirs, especially The Smiths. Their Singles is one of the best compilation albums
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.
…sounds exactly like you’d expect the smiths to. favorite song: barbarism begins at home (love a prominent bass!)
I don't care for the Smiths, I don't like his voice.
Well, it all seems horribly Smiths-y. As in, more Smiths-y than you would expect even from the Janglers-in-Chief themselves. I can’t speak to all of the themes here on first listen alone, but I doubt the overarching (and in the case of the title track, explicit) references to the meat industry’s barbarism convinced many to stay away from processed meats any more than, say, Hitler’s status as a vegetarian did. The title track itself reminds me of Steely Dan’s The Royal Scam, a repetitive album-ender that doesn’t seem to be enjoyed by many but one where I may find a certain hypnotism in its rhythm. Far from the best here by any means (see the behemoth opener of The Headmaster Ritual and the seven-minute bass-centric whirlwind of Barbarism Begins at Home for those), but a fitting bookender and failsafe for anyone who didn’t get the message from, well, the album’s name. I’m not one to take advice from Morrissey, so I’ll continue to enjoy meat as long as he enjoys his odd and often conflicting political views.
Really got hipsters out here acting like the just-okayest band is some revelation.
Boring melancholic music, did not enjoy.
Damn 2 banger albums back to back!! Love it! Man, I don't know what it is about Morrissey's voice. I'll never forget when I first heard one of his songs from a mixed tape that David, Rob's brother made. It was a magic moment for me.
What she said is my favorite song by the Smiths! Finally an album I actually like a lot!
The instrumentals on this album were great, they were so well arranged and they had nice textures. What really kept me from properly enjoying this album was the pretentious lyrics and Morrisey's at times obnoxious singing. It's a real shame because I was really hoping I would enjoy this more.
Good album, Smiths are not totally my thing, but enjoyed it.
🎵 Album #52 / The Smiths – Meat Is Murder (1985) 🗯 Yeah… dunno. I like The Smiths, but this one doesn’t do it for me — never has. For all of Morrissey’s wit, this feels more like passive-aggressive moaning set to Johnny Marr’s jangly but strangely flat backdrops. It’s not unlistenable — far from it — but compared to the sharper edges of their debut or the brilliance of The Queen Is Dead, Meat Is Murder just comes off a bit toneless and uninteresting. Sure, That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore lands, and How Soon Is Now? is a classic (though technically tacked on later in some versions). But as a whole, it doesn’t bite the way it should. Verdict: Meh / Not for me (I love The Smiths, but not this one) For fans of: The Cure at their moodiest, Echo & The Bunnymen, Morrissey in martyr mode
Didn’t really listen to that much of it
An album with really high points, arguably The Smiths' highest (The Headmaster Ritual, That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore, Well I Wonder, Barbarism Begins at Home) held back slightly by a couple of duds (Rusholme Ruffians, the ending title track which is especially bad etc.) Marr's guitar work shines here - alternate tunings, jangly riffs, interesting use of the delay pedal on How Soon Is Now (unfortunately not featured on all releases, only US release IIRC), the acoustic guitar on That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore. It's not quite as good as The Queen is Dead, but it's pretty damn close!
Good album. Enjoy the Smiths. The Queen is Dead is better in my opinion. M
The Smiths are so weird because Johnny Marr's music is incredible and it feels so intentional while it feels like Morrissey is making up the words as he goes along.
Do people really like the smiths? I guess you had to be there.
Love the smiths just dont love this album
Hardly the best smith’s album
Cannot beat The Smiths. While certainly full of songs many will find depressing, and we all recognize Morrissey can be insufferable, it is just soothing and oh so familiar music that always delivers.
...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
My favorite Smiths album. Even the title track, which is the weakest, I’ve grown to enjoy and think it fits well closing the album. This is one of my favorite fall albums. Headmasters, rusholme, and barbarians are some of my favorites of theirs. Cover art is awesome as well. Johnny and Morrissey just kill it but it still feels wrong to leave out the rest of the band in the appreciation. Everyone’s at the top of their game. I get people hate Morrissey etc but after you’ve listened a bit I genuinely can’t think of anyone’s voice or words that would fit better. I’ve got a few singers whose voice *might* have a decent fit but even then they’d never think of the lyrics Morrissey wrote or put in the inflections he does. 20th perfect album, 786 albums in. What’s even crazier is this is my third perfect album in the last five days, I’m definitely on the best run of albums I’ll probably get on this entire project. Rating: 5.0
Starts and ends strong ('Barbarism begins at home' is an awesome jam). But the rest is a bit samey, struggled to pay attention during or remember afterwards. Sometimes these type of songs grow on me, like Dear Science, which I gave a 3 and would now consider a 5. So this might be a 5 ("good enough to download for my library"), but for now I can only give it a 4 ("played again at least once for pleasure").
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.
Not my favourite album by the smiths but def solid
Mmmmm, steak.
I really don't want to like The Smiths, 'cause Morrissey... you know, but I keep enjoying their music, sadly. This was a decent listen.
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.
I like the music but I am not a fan of the vocals - they make every song sound so similar.
Not the best Smiths album, but carried a cool vibe. 6/10
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
My least favourite Smiths album. Shouldn't be on the list- and I love this band.
Another example of album recorded as a political statement. Despite the fact that I consider this record talented (and individual tracks BRILLIANT), «Meat Is Murder» is so far the weakest album I've listened to from The Smiths. There is no enthusiasm of their debut album and there are not as many bangers as in «Queen Is Dead».
The Smiths are great, but Meat is Murder is one of their weaker albums. I prefer almost anything else they made over this one.
This one was pretty high energy. I feel like it got better near the end. Solid listen!
If meat is murder then my ex-wife must have been John Wayne Gacy
Largely uninteresting. I forgot it was playing at one point and then a track played that I thought ‘this is better’. Turned out the album had finished and it was playing Joy Division.
a 4.5 rounded up. very beautiful, i like the smiths a lot.
It’s alright, hard to get through
S'ok Smith's Morrissey Moaning. Enjoyed
Well fuck. I wrote a long, almost thoughtful review for this one and when I had to refresh the page it got lost. Fuck it, now you get two stars because I'm petty like that.
This was a pretty nice album. Lyrically strong, and vocals and music were good. The titular "Meat is Murder" track was a hard listen, but that is kind of the point. It's political, it's deep, and it has a darkness to it that carries across the whole of the album. Interesting listen. I can't say I disliked it, but it wasn't my favorite either.
Sounds like a made for tv version of a John Hughes movie soundtrack. Immature ramblings set to a cool guitar sound.
Incredible mix of basslines on the first track, definitely knocked me on my ass
Consistent catchiness and the kind of insights you’d expect of The Smiths, but nothing sticks w you once it’s all done.
Having multiple albums by the same artist or band when there is little or no drastic change in style or content confuses me. It makes me want to seek out the actual book to read the preface of what criteria went into the picks. Meat is Murder is a good album, but as an introduction to The Smiths, it’s The Queen is Dead every time for me. For me, if I am choosing albums for someone to listen to before they die, it is the album that best defines a particular band/artist. This is not much about Meat is Murder, but I just found myself ruminating on that as I listened.
Though not up to the level of "The Queen is Dead," this is a very good album. It starts out great with "The Headmaster Ritual" and Johnny Marr and company are in great form throughout. I will say that Morrissey is pretty insufferable on this one and the song "Meat is Murder" is not a convincing argument for vegetarianism and, in the words of the critic Robert Christgau, "begs for a belt in the chops." But, otherwise, a very good Smiths album.
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
Not the best Smiths album
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?
anything the smiths gets 5 stars.
What an amazing album even tho I hate the last song
Good fun, lively, memories of uni nights out
Oh yes, I'd forgotten how wonderful these songs are. I always say The Queen Is Dead is my favourite Smiths album and it's the one I've listened to in full the most but this really is just as good. Less polished, maybe more of an edge lyrically and musically. They are all on brilliant form, Marr and Rourke may never have sounded better together than here. Just listen to 'Barbarism...'. Loads of tracks are foot tapping in a fidgety way. Morrissey gets political in his own way and is often hilarious. Then there are the beautiful, yearning 'Well I Wonder' and 'That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore' which I know well but listened to twice, hearing those layers of acoustic guitars and the amazing electric background in the closing part, Marr creating such atmosphere The title track may divide opinion but who can argue with the truth? And he was saying this long before most.. All in all, pretty wonderful.
Solid album, doesn’t quite reach the heights of The Queen Is Dead, but still very good
I have rewritten this about 12 times. I love The Smiths, they're THE band of my childhood (explains a lot), and they'll always make me think of my dad (and the fact he still has This Charming Man as his ringtone, and has for over 10 years). Morrissey himself is making this album difficult to review, he's a big prick and unlikeable to his core, but alas we will continue. In Meat is Murder, The Smiths continue their important work of making existential despair and dread sound like a picnic on a sunny day (If that picnic featured an hour long guilt trip by a man who sounds like a sad Victorian ghost). Johnny Marr’s guitar playing is still the sonic equivalent of a perfectly cold pint, bright, smooth, and just enough bite to keep you awake. He layers arpeggios and harmonics so effortlessly that you start wondering if he even knows what a power chord is. (Spoiler, he does. He’s just morally opposed to them). The rhythm section—Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke—are the real unsung heroes here. Joyce’s drumming is tight but unshowy, like he’s trying not to interrupt Morrissey’s monologue about the horrors of a Sunday roast. Rourke’s bass playing is a masterclass in melodic counterpoint; he could probably play Bach if you handed him a Fender Precision and a pint. I love this album with my whole heart, regardless of the underlying guilt I feel for enjoying a medium rare steak. 4.8/5 (0.2 points because Moz is a wanker) - HF xo People have been separating music from the artist for years. James Brown's live album is one of my all time faves and he was not a good person (he don't make love good - he hit that lady). Bowie's racism inspired to the Clash-championed 'Rock Against Racism' in the late 70s. Gary Glitter had that one good instrumental tune. The Smiths are fine. What I've always loved about The Smiths is that in an era where you had to crawl through absolute simple-minded synth fuelled dirt to get to a decent tune, they never swayed from their formula. They stuck to it and used it to pump out consistently good music. Meat is Murder opens in a reassuring fashion for fans of the eponymous debut - sweet flowing guitar riff and Morrissey making weird Morrissey noises. They continue into something that at the time was probably very image-evoking for the teens - a trip to the fair. It was the 80s equivalent of the Streets writing about a fucking minging house party you come out of stinking of tabs and horror. A proper nice painting of nice lil' England (which was actually mostly a shithole at the time as there weren't any jobs for anyone). Morrissey's diary entries then take over the next few songs where he gets a bit sad - something which he never quite gets over and starts to blame everyone but him for (class man am I right Francey). The record peaks with 'Well I Wonder' which is a simple and beautiful piece of music. There aren't really any duds on this record, but to most modern Smiths fans they'd probably look at the track listing of Meat is Murder wondering where all the big hitters are. This is just an all-round good record. And I'm more of an LP guy than a singles guy. So, er... 4/5 JF Booted this album on this morning as I was making my breakfast (bacon sandwich, didn’t feel bad about it) and fair to say the opening track really sets up the rest of this album for a really good time. Morrisey generally likes to be sad about stupid things and blame it on normal people and if you don’t fuck with that then you’re probably not gonna fuck with the smiths, let alone this album. I will continue to calve the calf and eat the fuck out of it, and not out is spite of this album, but because it’s fucking lush with peppercorn sauce tomatoes and potatoes. Oh yeah and the music is good 👍 3.8/5
7/10
Meh
Get fucked.
Not a fan. Boring vocals and instruments. Not "catchy" hooks. No progress through the songs. Feels like a jam session with random moany vocals over top.
YAAASSSSSSSSSSS
There are nearly 1,100 albums on this list, so why do we need to cram so many Smiths ones in so early? This one is fine. And the song "Meat is Murder" offers a glimpse into the insufferable prig Moz became.
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.
Has a groove to it. Something I would describe like "nerd rock." Rusholme has a catchy jangle. Barbarism begins at Home is a solid track. I've heard other Morrissey stuff and didn't love it, but this album is pretty good. The whole vibe kind of comes together here. Also, I dig the base player. 4/5
Quanto mais velha sou, mais gosto e mais de identifico com as músicas dos The Smiths. Não conhecia bem as músicas deste álbum, mas existindo o The Queen is Dead, é impossível dar mais do que isto!
I didn't care for the vocals and the lyrics just didn't make much sense. Tracks to Track: That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore
Great 👍
The Smiths were a very fine band of the post-punk, Brit pop, New Wave of the early 80's and I actually enjoy their sound a whole lot. Meat is Murder is not my fav album from them, but still is one of the most reknowned and capable works of this band.
I really like sound of The Smiths, but admittedly, it's sort of a chore to sit through an entire album sometimes. It's like eating a really good dessert, but the flavor is so strong you can't eat all of it. Honestly, I think the too-strong flavor is Morrissey's vocals. Again, very good, but sometimes too much to enjoy in one sitting ⭐⭐⭐
How soon is now? - absolutely love this song
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.
A divisive album for me with some of their best ever songs in Barbarism, Headmaster ritual, what she said and that joke isn’t funny. The final song is horrendous in every way. Couldn’t be the five that the Queen is Dead gets, but the highlights are exceptional
Feel weaker of their bigger albums. Morrissey already starting to become grating. Enough on it for a 3
meat is murder thanks the smiths
Meat Is Murder manifiesta con sus letras crudas una mezcla de himpotencia y rabia. The Smiths, pese a su breve carrera, es uno de los mejores grupos de la historia y como prueba tenemos este disco. La voz única de Morrissey y la guitarra imposible de Marr se unen de nuevo en esta creación divina.
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.
Not an album to listen to before you die, more an album youd rather die than listen to again.
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.
I enjoyed the funky guitar and bass riffs. Not so much the whoo and hoot of Morrisey.
Not my taste
Another Smiths LP. Pretty good. But it all gets boring after a bit, not matter which album. 3.5/5