Reviews (page 8 of 14)
don't get me wrong i love the smiths but most of their songs sound the same 😬
taki w tle
Listened: putting washing out and in bed Stopped
3.5
A decent album, but I’m just not a big fan of Morrisey
Nicht das beste Smiths Album jedoch ist Meat is murder ein banger
Pretty solid album with a pretty solid album.
I like the sound of this album, it's the kind you can have on in the background and vibe to but also tune in occasionally and still enjoy. None of the songs really stood out to me in particular, so won't be saving any, but will be obtaining the album on disc to listen again.
Favourite track: Nowhere Fast
We get it your sad
music is very good. could live without the singer
Morrissey yodels, Johnny jangles, the songs meander. I'd like the Smiths a lot more if their songs were tighter, but you can't argue with that band.
its ok
5/10
3.5 The Smiths загалом напевно все ж не мій гурт, але не можу відмовити їм у стилі, а також у вмінні написати хіт.
i like a song here and there by the smiths but damn do they all sound the exact same
Kinda good, kinda boring
Song I Liked - Rusholme Ruffians - What She Said - Meat Is Murder
Not sure what happened, but there was a time where I liked this album a lot more. Occasionally interesting and pleasant but often found it pretty boring. Saved a song: N RYM: Y (#1,084)
I’m coming with a very bias and closed perspective - I don’t particularly like Morrisey or the smiths and have not been shown otherwise so far on this challenge. This looks like another confirmation to me. Same sound, some gait, same yawn. Nothing particularly bad about them but just really don’t do it for me. Grabs me a little more as the album goes on but just can’t escape the sound and content of his vocals, which is my main sticking point. Songs sounded pretty much the same but wasn’t giving it too much attention. Morrisey and the Smiths just not going to do it for me, I’m afraid although will say, some clever lyrics at times.
Alright album. Unsure on how to feel with Morrissey's voice but big fan of the guitar and instrumentals. Headmaster Ritual and Well I Wonder were highlights but the title track was a low, felt out of place.
I’ll preface this review by saying that I don’t like The Smiths. Morrissey as a person is a giant turd and I’ve always found their music pretentious and uninspiring. However, on that scale, this is the best I’ve heard of The Smiths. There’s more energy in these tunes, they’re more interestingly composed, and hell, it’s even catchier. It’s still The Smiths, they cannot be that but which they are, but for a Smiths album, this is really good. I can see how those who like this type of music would hold this up as an exemplar.
Listened to this one yesterday too. Going back for a second tour. Morrissey as a member of The Smiths is far more tolerable, but I still generally find his vocal style lacking in any depth. In fact it has a rare capability to suck the energy from otherwise interesting songs. E.g., Rusholme Ruffians is built around a fun bass line, but as soon as the vocals come in I stop caring. Well I Wonder is about the only song here that I actually enjoyed of him singing. Barbarism Begins at Home is fine too, but is mostly carried by the instrumentals. I can't shake the feeling that another vocalist could take these songs to the next level. For that I find this album into the bottom of the 3 range.
Glonky basslines in this one were continually catching my ear. Pretty dang tolerable for being Morrissey; if you could just get rid of the singer this would be a solid 4. I'll go high 3 for this one.
7th Smith/Morrissey album on here. This one is pretty status quo for Mr. Mo just pretty decent instrumental with his annoying singing at the forefront. Barbarism Begins at Home was really good though has a very tasty guitar riff and a gloopy bass outro. High 2/Low 3 border but we ill give this a bump for coming on a Friday. The end of this album with the cow noises made me want to go listen to Pink Floyd Animals, so I did.
very one-note to me. I’ve heard flashes from the smiths that I really liked before but not here.
Melhor álbum do mundo Segundo melhor álbum do smiths
The last track will haunt me forever. Cant say i like one song specifically but i liked the album as a whole
Decent album. 2.5 stars
Standout Songs: Rusholme Ruffians I Want the One I Can’t Have What She Said Not bad, i’m not huge on indie rock but this album is okay. So many british singers have no range in their voices
If only Morrissey wasn't a cunt, this would be a more enjoyable listening experience.
Never really got The Smiths. And still don't. The instrumental band is pretty amazing and I hadn't appreciated just how good they are. I find Morrisseys tunes a bit samey and struggle to relate to what he's on about. Maybe will try them again, guess there will be other Smiths albums on the list...
The stark contrast of downbeat lyrical delivery and guitar works for me
Honestly it was pretty forgettable, but I guess that means it wasn't actively annoying to listen to like some other albums.
Jag har aldrig lyssnat på the smiths men har en vän som tycker de är bra så jag hade nog en gnaska positiv förväntan, och den uppfylldes. That joke isn't funny anymore var riktigt bra och det slutade med att jag la till den i kön så jag fick höra den igen efter albumet.
Bekant med namnet, inte bandet. Gillar mixen. Har typ svårt att ta till mig skivan. Det är helt enkelt inte för mig, men jag tycker verkligen inte illa om den. Jag förstår att folk gillar denna platta.
Favorite track: The headmaster ritual other picks: barbarism begins at home, nowhere fast
This was good but not my favorite album by The Smiths
altern. rock, 1985 -> 3
Very generic. It's exactly what you'd expect from british indie rock and barely does anything unique. Mastering isn't that great and the vocalist drones.
Enjoyable album. Surf rock is easy listening.
A little repetitive and generally didn't fit my taste, but the smiths are pretty good overall and surprised me with some songs like Well I Wonder
The songs “Meat Is Murder,” said to have played a part in popularizing vegetarianism, and “The Headmaster Ritual,” featuring a delinquent's perspective rebelling against teachers, are apparently famous. Having listened to them myself, I liked those two songs the most.
Ok ok as much as I hate to say it, it grew on me.
Morrissey is a bit of a cunt from what I hear so I've mostly stayed away from the Smiths. I don't much care for his vocals either, honestly. He's alright on certain songs I guess. The band is super talented. Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke have great tone. There's not really much here that will likely stick with me, though. Music's good, Morrissey isn't for me. Ends up kinda middling.
Definetly an album that i think stands strong in its time. Its intresting to see a song about veganism made so early in its lifetime. I wouldnt say its an album i love but i think it was a pleasant listen and for indie rock fans that can appriciate the era i wouldnt mind recommening it so them. I did feel like some of the issues flew over my head due to it seeming to have refrences and critisms of back then that i dont understand however i think that also gives it its sharm. Overall not bad not amazing. Above average, would give it a 3.5
I am not a Smiths fan at all but I kind of like this. Why is Morrisey is so whiny? I like Johnny Marr and the rhythm section is great too. I wonder if Morrisey would be less insufferable if he ate a pork chop. The two standouts are That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore and Barbarism Begins At Home.
Andy Rourke’s bass playing is probably the standout for me. The album didn’t make me feel much for most of it. I feel like I’d like it more if I was in the mood for it. I like Morrissey randomly barking for no reason. 3/5
The last track earned this album an extra star.
The music is fine, I guess, but the overall pace and singing makes it more like easy listening.
Brit rock, much better than us rock
Were the Smiths a singles band? Caught midway between the dense, gothic fog of their debut and the lusher productions of later albums, MiM is a patchy affair. It contains some of Johnny Marr's best guitar work, and his Nile Rodgers/Bernie Edwards double act with Andy Rourke (particularly on Barbarism Begins at Home) is joyous. That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore is possibly their most languidly, achingly beautiful song, but too often pretty melodies and propulsive rhythms are blighted by Morrissey at his most tedious. Strange that one his most effective lyrical efforts is on this album (the dressed up Elvis rush of Rusholme Ruffians).
Typical 80s British rock sound. Nothing special, but not bad.
I honestly cannot take Morrisey seriously at all, he's a good singer but his voice constantly takes me out, the instrumentals however are great
I am sangry
Funky, largely fun, though I'm not sure too much jumped off the page. I'm in the camp of people who find Morrissey's voice a little hard to deal with. Not bad by any stretch, and definitely interesting, but doesn't involve me emotionally. The instrumentation is terrific, Johnny Marr an A+ guitarist, it's dancey in a lot of spots and oh so very nineteen-eighties. I don't know, this genre never quite does it for me. I prefer a more stripped down sound, but I can see the appeal. I'll avoid commenting too much on the enigma that is Morrissey, he's provocative here (see album title) though maybe a little basic lyrically. So it goes with the majority of political lyrics. One place they struggle with is being fun. To draw a parallel to punk (another political genre) good punk music makes being punk sound really fun! Morrissey is more of a scold, and an especially dour one at that. Not fun, regardless of where you stand with the messaging.
Sounds like the Smiths.
I know this is not a fresh take but I just cannot get on with Morrisey's voice. I like almost all of the melodies, instrumentals etc. on this album and then he starts singing and it's just so grating.
I think I like this one more than The Queen is Dead, but not by much. I just don’t think I’ll ever be able to enjoy Morrissey’s voice.
Most artists have that one album that I think is kind of overrated, and for The Smiths it's this one. Not saying it's particularly bad, but very uneven. It's also a bit confusing to me that some of the more acclaimed songs (This Joke Isn't Funny Anymore, Well I Wonder) don't really do much to me, while songs like I Want The One I Can't Have or Nowhere Fast that are a bit underrated strike me as much punchier and catchier. The melodies on this album feel a bit underwhelming and underdevelopped in general, they are much better on their other albums. That also makes songs like the title track drag on heavily. Rusholme Ruffians also has a bit of a country twang which doesn't come off as that good. The album has some amazing highlights too, the opener is stellar and Barbarianism Begins At Home is one of my fav Smiths songs and one of the best basslines ever. Also love the theme of how the education system oppresses young people. It's certainly way better than the title track which kinda reads like a twitter rant on vegetarianism. Every band has got to have a weakest album, and for me with The Smiths it's this one. However, for a weakest album it's still not too bad.
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
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.
Мутотень редкостная, от силы 5,5 из 10. Не в моём вкусе.
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 enjoyed this a lot more than the last Smiths album I got. However fuck Morrissey now and forever
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.
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.
Doesn't hit the heights of Queen is Dead but still very good.
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.
Would not buy
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.
Solid
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.
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.
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.
Not my favourite Smiths album, but there are some gems on here.
Better than I remembered it. If only Morrissey wasn't singing.
I do like The Smiths. I do hate Morrissey.
Never a big Smiths fan to begin with. Not terrible, just not my sound.
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
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.
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.
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!
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
3 this was fine
Not bad, not interesting
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.
É bom demais
A little interesting, good music but not 100% my speed. 5.1/10
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 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
am I crazy or do all these songs sound exactly the same
A good album from end to end, though lacking enough sticking power to move itself higher for me
“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
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
No entiendo que se haya elegido este lp de ellos. Falta una canción incontestable.
Not my favourite Smiths album.
7/10
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
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!
It’s no “The Queen is Dead”
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.
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.
Un altro album medio
Not my fave smiths album. Probably wouldn’t listen again.
It is ok
More Mozza etal. How many more albums!
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
Les daré otra oportunidad, los errores pasan
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
Smiths
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.
Ok
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.
Good
Excepcional. Los odiaba. Ahora me caen bien.
…sounds exactly like you’d expect the smiths to. favorite song: barbarism begins at home (love a prominent bass!)
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.
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
Good album. Enjoy the Smiths. The Queen is Dead is better in my opinion. M
Mmmmm, steak.
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
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.
It’s alright, hard to get through
S'ok Smith's Morrissey Moaning. Enjoyed
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.
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.
Not the best Smiths album
7/10
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.
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 ⭐⭐⭐
Feel weaker of their bigger albums. Morrissey already starting to become grating. Enough on it for a 3
I enjoyed the funky guitar and bass riffs. Not so much the whoo and hoot of Morrisey.
Another Smiths LP. Pretty good. But it all gets boring after a bit, not matter which album. 3.5/5
It was fine. Classic Dad Rock.
Not the best smiths album. However the guitar work from Marr is sublime. Hints of disco, classical and 60's Beatles throughout. Couple of real bangers in this album though
Pretty good, not my favorite.
I have mixed feelings about it, I really enjoyed some songs and thought that I would listen again but in general it felt a little more boring than the previous album
Music is great but then there is Morrissey - maybe I should just call him Steven. That will irritate him as much as his voice irritates me. Some Smiths songs are really good in spite of Steven but this album (the UK version without "How Soon Is Now?") was just OK. If I would have heard the the earlier US release with this song on then maybe, just maybe it would have gotten 4 stars. But that didn't happen so it just is an OK album for me. Sorry Steven - just don't be too sad now!
Sigh...more Smiths. Alright, here we go! Track 1 is a straight-forward complaint of the British school system. It's well done. Track 2 is downright jaunty. I had to make sure I didn't mess up playing the album straight through. I really like this one. As a whole, this album has more energy than I've heard from a Smiths album. It makes me enjoy the music tenfold. 3.4/5
Love The Smiths, but this is my least favorite album of theirs.
Good stories can only carry that singing so far
I liked the lyrics (4). Musically a 3.few stars. I also liked the Album's title track. And the depness "That joke isn't funny anymore" (close to home?). However, I am not sure I would re-listen this album (maybe if in a depressing mood). Not a fan of the style neither of singing, but at least is quite unique. This would be a 3 stars album.
Kurant. Ikke helt mitt syltetøy. Barbarism-låta er nødt til å ha inspirert Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine. Klink lik basslinje.
If meat is murder, what is plant?
3.5 stars. I like it a lot, until Morrissey just doesn’t stop and then I’m ready for it to be over.
First song had me intrigued, the rest was pretty mid
I didn't hate it, but the meandering vocals grated on me. And boy, do I dislike the 80s recording style where every instrument sounds like it is recorded in an isolated soundproof room, then mixed together to form a semblance of a performance.
Nothing really stood out, but enjoyable.
I’m okay with the smiths, can’t say I’d seek this album out again though
Solid album but I never get as excited about the Smiths as I think I am going to. The album was interesting and easy to listen to but lacked a little bit of energy and the stand out tracks that I would want to give it a higher rating. 3.5 but going to round down.
I never really loved Morrisey, at all, and he still annoys me, but this album helps me see why people REALLY REALLLLLLY dig him.
Idk why Morrissey started barking in the second to last song. Liked the general vibe but disliked the more experimental songs. 7/10
Excellent Album but not one of my favorites of the smiths
Another one that's hard to listen to. Maybe it just feels like a forerunner of much better indie rock? The title track could be heard as innovative, maybe, or it could just be droning and didactic.
Not impressing. Does not worth being on the list
Liked that a bit more than I expected. I figured it would be more of the doom and gloom I’ve come to expect, but it was a bit more jangly and pop- oriented - almost pleasant at times. The title track was not so much fun.
Wasn’t expecting to like this as I don’t like Morrisey and the other Smiths album I’ve listened to so far didn’t impress much. However, there were a few good tracks on here. Lots of variation as well, which was nice. Meat is Murder was odd though.
never had these guys really grab me
Johnny Marr's excellent guitar work saves this album from the only two vocal melodies Morrissey seems to know. 3.5/5
i like some songs by the smiths and want to love this album but morrissey’s voice kind of reminds me of a muppet highlights: Barbarism Begins at Home
Like the vibes and instrumental, but sometimes his voice is too unique for me to like.
Good album. Liked more as a kid now I can see all songs are way too similar and became boring after the 5th song. Good writting and vocals
I know What She Said about this album, but That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore.
As uncompromising and provocative as ever, The Smiths' second album lays it all out on the table. Interesting that one of their most well-known & beloved songs "How Soon Is Now?" was only included on the US release and not the UK version.
Ja the Smiths. Anfänge der Goth / Emo Bewegung. Viel Teenage-Angst in den Texten, dazu lustige Rhythmen und Musik. Hat mich an Wasps Nest erinnert.
A strange entry. As at least a peripheral Smiths fan I have always considered this both their weakest album and the point at which it became clear that Morrissey was pompous tool. Nevertheless the Smiths don’t really have a bad album, and I take its inclusion to mean there are more Smiths albums to come …
I hate Morrisey’s voice. Music is ok though.
Senti rebeldia nesse álbum, é como um big bang para o punk, bastante agressivo melodicamente mas com guitarra e bateria equilibrada, achei tudo muito bem feito, mas pra mim o ponto destaque é o lirismo.
My least favorite Smiths album, but still a solid showing. And it is not my least favorite because I eat meat, the vibes are just a bit to slow and whiney to me, more so than most of their music. They can and usually do have great tempo and Morrissey has more rhythm to his voice, this album is a bit of a drag comparatively. With several other Smiths albums on this list, this one feels like the editor's reaching for a favorite band situation, it does not belong on this list. Again, I still like it, but I own several Smith records, this one is not one of them though. 6.5/10 106/1001
The Smiths: Meat Is Murder: Its good, but I wouldn't say that I love it. The instrumentation is nice, but the album kinda blends together and the vocals are just alright. I liked every song, but I don't see myself going out of my way to relisten to anything. 7/10
little too weird
Didn’t love this one. Early alt kinda whiney maybe original emo stuff. Give me the cure over this any day.
It's OK. Some good songs but not packed with classics like I thought it would be...
Not as good as the other Smith albums on the list.
He may be really racist but at least he doesn't eat meat 👍
meridiano de greenwich
This was a pretty good album! I hadn't heard it before, but I did really enjoy it! I like the Smiths too, haven't listened to much of them but I do like them!
It was good noise, but nothing really stood out to me
If meat is murder then I am the Son of Sam
An interesting mix of mild music and powerful lyrics 3.5/5
Not the best smths record
Not bad. I like their sound. Some good songs.
The cover doesn't match the vibe. The music is good though.
great guitar rifts, questionable lyrics, unsettling end
A bit meh, bla bla bla
This is another 3.5 album for me. Never wanted to skip tracks, but it didn't really stand out, either. Interesting that I had one of Morrisey's solo albums a couple days ago. This Smiths album was notably better.
Tengo un conflicto con este grupo de música que es lo mucho que me gusta musicalmente y lo poco que me gusta escuchar cantar a Morrissey. Además de eso reconozco que este disco suena a The Smiths pero no me ha descubierto nada nuevo. Aunque algunas líneas de bajo como la de Barbarism begins at home son buenísimas.
This album is ok at best. Morrissey has always been ok with a couple of good songs. This album is average at best...
I dont like morrisseys voice
me ha gustado mucho, viva el veganismo
Smiths are great, honestly usually too mellow for me, especially lately. Lovely music, not in a hurry to re-listen
Opinion time: I think this is the weakest Smiths album. The score is maybe harsh, because I'm judging it on that basis. Meat Is Murder, for me Clive, doesn't really have any standout tracks. It's still good, because it's still Morrissey and Marr in great form, but compared to The Queen Is Dead or Strangeways, it's just not quite there.
Hmm love Smiths, didnt love this, perhaps their weakest album. Its not that I hated it but didnt really appreciate it as much as I would do.
There is some solid music here. But Morrissey is seriously insufferable.
Worst smiths record queen is dead is way better
Might break my vegetarianism after listening to this. Thought I liked it after listening the second time but really it's the instrumentals I enjoy.
What bothers me about the Smiths is not Morrisey’s voice or his general shitheadery. What bothers me is that when he sings he sounds like a kid making up his homework on the spot. The 10 seconds of every song without vocals is some of the best music I've ever heard. The Smiths are maybe the objectively best band that I hate. Gonna think about who else fits that category. Probably other Tylore-core bands.
3.5
It's too bad, if Morrissey wasn't such a cunt I might actually enjoy the Smiths. Musically some great stuff going on but as soon as Moz opens his mouth it takes on this disgusting slimy feel.
the first song was a banger and the guitars kind of reminded me of the cure (yes, i said it). but it went off a cliff after that 😆 ‘that joke isn’t funny anymore’ was decent. ‘well i wonder’ was quite nice. ‘barbarism begins at home’ - yeah, i like this, it slapped and it was a bit funky too.
It's fine. I don't love it, and I don't hate it. I might listen to some of the songs again in a mix playlist, but i don't think I'd listen to it as full album again.
Barbarism begins at home is a bop
The Smiths don't really do it for me. Nothing offensive here, but nothing too captivating either
That's not my taste in music - But ok
Cover: 6 This had some decent songs. Title track is the best. Overall, mostly ok songs.
My least favorite Smiths album
Johnny Marr is great Morrissey is not
I like the funky base on the 2nd last track Edit Apr 15 2026: 4 --> 3
fine to listen to but not nearly a standout or as good as the other Smiths albums we've had so far (or their other ones that I enjoy)
Overall good. Great cleaning album. I like 'Meat is Murder' and 'Rusholme Ruffians'. Not my faaaavorite.
SO WHINY, GREAT INSTRUMENTAL, LEAD SINGER DOESNT NEED TO MAKE HIS VOICE SOUND LIKE THAT, SO FORCED
Bit of a zzzz
My head cannon conspiracy theory is that PETA paid The Smiths to write the the title track of this album. It has all the hallmarks of PETA's rhetoric after all. If I wasn't already vegetarian, I feel like that song may have been the one to make me.
Barbarism Begins at Home is a great song. Well I wonder is a good song too 3/5
I love The Smiths, but sadly their legacy is a bit tainted by Morrissey’s antics. Favourite tracks: The Headmaster Ritual, Rusholme Ruffians.
Music is good, vocals are annoying. I liked this a lot less than I thought I would.
A few bangers, but plenty of whiny songs
3/5
ts was ok 4.5/10
Sumisu
I liked the music in this album. I'm a big fan of the lead singers voice, and the bass guitar in "Barbarism begins at home".
I'ma savor that flavor, gat damnit. Ok, despite this being their most successful album (I can read Wikipedia articles, hooray!), none of the songs I think of when I think of this band are on this one. Good on them for taking a stand on a principle, and the music definitely sounds The Smiths, which if they're your thing should suffice to round out your fandom.
Okay, so I have to say there’s way too much Morrissey on this list. Setting that aside: Good album, and and important one for The Smiths. I liked it way more than Strangeways, but less than The Queen is Dead
Meat is delish
I wanted to like this one more, but it wasn't meat to be.
Morrissey must have some dirt on the author of this list for there to be so many of his albums on here.
- Once again, unoffended but also unimpressed. - The Smiths' unwillingness to ever shift rhythms or tones when a song starts irks me. They just hit a pattern and it does not change until the next song starts. - "Well I Wonder" was a welcome change due to its more solid bass. I also appreciated the opening bravado and important message of "The Headmaster Ritual." - Appreciate the sentiment of "Meat Is Murder," but it is heavy-handed and not exactly an enjoyable listen.
Morrissey warbling like a distraught ghost.
118/1089 - All I know about this band is that the lead singer is an annoying vegan. After listening: not bad! Kinda reminds me of the Cranberries lead singer for some reason. I think the melody notes stay on the same pitch too much throughout all the songs, making them directionless at times. Also all of the songs blend into each other (except for the funk one near the end, but that's mainly the bass player adding variety) and don't really stand out.
The Smiths are always mmmmmm... okay
Stor kulturel influence. Med til at inspirere mange indenfor britisk indie musik. Det er bla oasis, blur, radiohead osv. Det var det første the smiths album til at være nummer 1 i UK. taler for animal rights.
S erste und s letzte Lied sind recht cool, alles dezwüschet het mich ned vom hocker ghaue
Der erste Song gefällt mit sehr gut: Macht gute Laune, ist aber nicht langweilig. Die Stimme des Sängers gefällt mir: Er singt klar, ist aber auch wandelbar zu etwas luftigerem Klang, und seine Stimme ist sehr beweglich und flink. Rusholme Ruffians etwas zu viel übereifriger Country für meinen Geschmack. In I want the one I can‘t have gefällt mir seine Stimme gar nicht mehr, er singt einfach falsch, ich glaube er ist generell zu hoch von der Intonation her, was ich erstaunlich finde. What she said: Irgendwie wird das Album je länger es geht, etwas mülliger.. Der Refrain gefällt mir aber relativ gut, sie machen irgendwas, das hittet jedes Mal, wenn er what she said singt. That Joke isn‘t funny anymore: Ein bisschen langweilig. Nowhere Fast und Well I Wonder: Noch cool. Barbarism Begins at Home: Hier gefällt mir der Bass - und der Song auch recht gut. Meat is Murder: Sehr gute Message der Lyrics! Ich liebe auch die Kuh am Anfang des Songs. Generell eine starke Drei, vor allem der erste und die letzten beiden Songs gefallen mir:)
This album was constantly floating between three and four stars for me. The vibes were nice for my spring evening walk, but nothing really grabbed me except the last song. As an album it is just ordinary, but it feels a bit dated.
3 stars Starts off great but peters out towards the end.
I’ve only enjoyed a few songs from The Smiths. while i still enjoyed the album, i wouldn’t say any song really stood out.
Being a younger Gen X, I'm fully aware of the person who is obsessed with The Smiths. I've never really gotten what magical hold they seemed to have over some people. They were fine. I like maybe one song of their's "How Soon is Now" and I'm not crazy about it. I'm sure there will be one more The Smiths album on this list. I will likely think it's just OK as well.
why did he bark
I like the Smiths or a least the “hits” however some of the songs on here are awful!
In the middle. I love the style but it’s a little too relaxing.
Some really great guitar parts, a good rhythm section, but I dont particularly like Morrisseys voice, and the songs dont stick for me.
This sounds like a long car ride late a night falling asleep sprawled out in the back of Grandma's car in the 1980s
Decent album, wasn't hooked, though. 6/10.
A few bangers, but a lot of filler. Oh, and the obligatory mention that Morrissey is an insufferable prick.
Only three stars because I’d feel bad putting two. There are some good tracks, but it all feels like one huge song that’s just kinda ok.
An ok album. Handful of great songs but few standouts
I enjoyed this album because there was more of a mix in style, however this is not my favorite kind of music.
Favorite: Barbarism Begins at Home
Morrissey is a prick. And Meat is Murder the song is especially cringy in light of him as a person. The music is good enough. Johnny Marr on guitar is pretty memorabe. And I like Morrissey's voice. Overall, the album is fine. For some reason 'How Soon is Now' is not included on the Spotify version (I know it's only on certain versions of the album). This is clearly the most famous Smiths song and really the only thing on this album that stands out to me.
Fine album but I can't stand Morrissey.
Morrissey is a cunt - it says a lot for this album that I can give it 3 stars
Enjoyable
Aucune chanson ne m'a vraiment marqué, la voix du chanteur reste "iconique"
At the time it came out I liked it but now when I listen I think what a whiner.
mid
Heard it before. I know for lots of people this is their favourite Smiths album but it's my least fave </3 Still, it's The Smiths and Barbarism Begins At Home is on this album so I can't complain 3/5
Morrissey is a twat. Now thats out the way, this is a good album musically, Johnny Marr is inspired and the rhythm section of Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce are tight, but Morrissey is still a twat...
prefer other smith albums but of course love “i want the one i can’t have”
Oh look, the second Smiths album that's popped up for me this week on this website. The author must really have a hard-on for Morrissey. It's good. Or is it great? Or somewhere in between... fuck if I know. I was a twinkle in my mother's eye in the mid-80s, not listening to 80s Britpop doing mountains of coke in the club while questioning the meaning of my life.
Good stuff. Feel similarly to other smiths albums. They’re a song band not an album band. When I listen to too much of their stuff together it begins to blur. So unfortunately not my fav but has some really incredible songs.
Another solid album from a shit person. Still don't know how people think this is better than the Cure. 6/10
'Belligerent ghouls run Manchester schools / Spineless bastards all'; 'On the day that your mentality / catches up w/ your biology'; 'Happening in mine, happening in mine.' Only the final song, which is an experimental gem, has anything to do with vegetarianism, but the themes of cruelty and empathy run powerfully thru the entire record. It's not an album that I look forward to returning to, however, even tho Marr is incredible on 'What She Said,' and Morrissey's lyrics are no less impactful. It may be that it's too dark, too despairing in the end, not joyfully cynical. W/ the exception of 'Barbarism Begins at Home,' which vigorously bears witness to the catch-22 of a vicious school system, no track here properly gets me going.
Ste, Ste, Ste. Ste, we get it - you were subjected to corporal punishment at school and didn’t like it. A lot of people were, and I’m going to say most of them didn’t like it either. You aren’t special. I quite like a The Smiths, but I have to admit it’s in an Alan Partridge-esque “Very Best of The Smiths” kind of way. Give me the good tunes, filter out the filler - I think the fact that only ‘That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore’ is regularly anthologised in best ofs kind of sets out where I stand on this. No better than ok, the self-titled debut and The Queen Is Dead are both far superior.
The Smiths always kinda bring me down but there's nothing wrong with them. Just not my cup of tea
Decent
En terme des Smiths, c'est pas le pire. J'ai toujours de la misère avec la voix du chanteur, mais il me gosse moins que les premières fois. Bref, c'est du post-punk, jsuis pas la bonne personne pour en faire l'éloge malheureusement