The Queen Is Dead

Morrissey has kind of an atonal quality to his singing where he often sounds flat. In an odd way it works for him as well as against him. I didn't love this and didn't hate it but I doubt I'd seek this out again on my own.

Jaime: 4 Nuria :2/4. La famosa famosa me gustó pero bueno no sé.

The Smiths es un meh, pero que suenan bien y hacen letras de linda depresión. The Queen is Dead es bueno, y Bigmouth Strikes Again el único tema que me gustó mucho. Nota: 2.9 pero pongo 3.

Nettes Gedudel was man im Hintergrund hören konnte, aber werd glaubsch kein Fan von denen. 3 Sterne

langsam aber sicher bin ich fan von The Smiths .. melodiös , gitarren und der doch spezielle gesang von Morrissey. Finde jedoch dieses album eher etwas schwächer als Meat is Murder, daher nur drei Sterne.

Die Platte ist hörenswert aber für mich ohne grosse Highlights.

3.8/5 Great tunes … bigmouth strikes again, there is a light that never goes out A few weaker tunes

I am so curious to know the story behind Vicar in a Tutu! It was a fun song on an album I hadn’t listened to previously from a band I never put a lot of stock in. True, I was really young when this album came out but the Smiths were described to me a a depressed Cure, which says a lot. I was mistaken, as this album was pretty good, though thematically it does appeal to a specific demographic. There is a Light… feels like it was a movie soundtrack at some point, while Cemetery Gates was surprisingly upbeat. I could listen to this album again, and probably will soon.

I always thought the Smiths was a downer band just through stereotypes. This album was more jaunty and slightly more upbeat than I expected. I could see how people got into this. I think if I let this one soak in for several listens I could become a fan. It is weird how these albums and listens hit different than if I lived the experience directly and listened to this when it was new and exciting. It definitely still has musical value but I would feel a lot more affinity for this music because I was part of the original experience. Not all bands are constrained to this, some can overcome this divide more easily (I'm thinking the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Nirvana). Anyway, just a random observation while listening to this one. Need to listen again.

If you don’t like The Smiths then there’s something wrong with you.

Maybe I just don’t like the Smiths nearly as much as I thought.

This sounds like a guy who really wants to be a big ballad singer. Nice enough, but nothing exciting.

Fine

Yeah ok, better than I was expecting. Songs I knew from my youth and have heard on the radio. The ones I didn't know weren't too bad.

The Smiths get old fast, but the first listen back in a few months was quite enjoyable. Won’t be in rotation though

There’s a lot of hype around the Smiths and this album in particular, and I’m mostly on board with some of the songs melodically, however, most of them sound identical when it comes to the “texture” of the song - including both the instruments used and Morrissey’s voice (the sound of which I can’t seem to get on board with in any case) - not a lot of contrast throughout individual songs or between each song, and with contrast comes anticipation, which I was lacking. But other than that, it’s a pleasant enough album.

Same as what Grace said

Eu conhecia algumas músicas, mas algumas músicas me surpreenderam. É bem The Smiths mesmo. Mas além de Bigmouth Strikes Again e There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, eu gostei de Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others e The Boy With The Thorn In His Side.

eu quero dar 3,5 que odio de não ter meia estrela nesse app

I think I "get" the Smiths at this point since we've had three albums worth and other than a few songs, this may be the worst of their albums. The title track and "Cemetry Gates" are the best ones - the others are either seemingly wacky (Frankly Mister Shankly, Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others) or cursed by that Morrissey maneuver of cramming a bunch of extra words in to a sentence to make it sound like rambling. At this point I know it must be intentional. I wouldnt' say this was bad, but I really only enjoyed the first track, like something I would listen to again. The rest can stay on one play.

кажется я перешел в стадию, когда просто ставлю троечки за нормик альбомы...

Not their best, in my view. I loved their first album and Meat Is Murder but truthfully it was getting a bit blah by this time. I know it's revered, but apart from a couple of great singles I'm not mad on this one.

Good album but middle of the road for me musically. Also can't listen with fan due to name + lyrics

Not their best album, but still good. Fuck Morrissey.

12/9/24. I have a good idea of The Smiths and Morrissey at this point, it's always an enjoyable listening experience. Well-crafted pop-like songs that you can revisit again and again.

probably the strongest Smiths album here but I need to relisten

Kinda pretentious lyrics, good melodies and riffs all around. Not super easy listening but easy enough to do on a walk. Highlight is definitely the instrumentals but it did feel too old for its time

Not familiar with this band at all. Pretty unique feel, no real distortion on the guitars, pretty groovy basslines, and the singer's voice is pretty nice. Slapback delay on all vocals gets old. Kinda new-wavy, but without any electronics. Overall pleasant, but nothing standout.

Nothing special, just sounded like every other British post-punk band of the time.

I wish I could get more into this album, because it has one of my favorite songs of all time on it (“Bigmouth Strikes Again”), but I generally find the record to be just fine. Morrisey occasionally has a great lyric, but just as often he sounds annoying and overly whiny.

Pretty good

some of the songs are undeniably exquisite but there really is, in general, a distinct lack of melody

Listening to this album made me feel like I was right back in high school, when this album first arrived on the scene. That alone makes me biased in any review because the music of those years always holds a special place in my heart. There is clearly a lot of talent in the way the sum of the lyrics, music, vocals, production somehow add up to more than what they should. But for whatever reason, I never really feel like I "get it" when I listen to the Smiths.

Generally solid music, but Morissey can sometimes be too Whitney or trying too hard. I wished he grooved with the music more. A couple of these songs I love, eg “Bigmouth Strikes Again” but I can’t recommend the album as a whole.

Would be 4 stars, except for Morrisey

Not a fan. I am a kid of the 80s but this was not my jam.

Not bad

I knew one of the songs and I kept thinking "it's this one" all the time because all of them sound fucking identical. Stand-out: Bigmouth Strikes Again

I have a complicated story with The Smiths. I used to listen to them a lot during my dark days in high school, specially this album which I have on CD (it was a gift from a friend), yet I can't remember anything about it besides I Know It's Over and There is a Light. I despise Morrissey and I refuse to listen to anything with his name attached to it, The Smiths being exceptions. I don't even listen to The Smiths anymore because there's a sort of stigma related to their fanbase which I don't want to be associated with, and because they make me remember of those dark days. With that out of the way, the album is very mid and Morrissey's voice is annoying. The exceptions being I Know It's Over, Bigmouth, and There is a Light. I can't believe that the same people who love this shit slander Robbie Williams' Rudebox, and objectively superior album Go fuck yourselves.

Good The Smiths album

Not my kind of music at all. But, I kind of like the lead vocals so I'm being generous with the stars. Not sure why I like the vocals, but I do.

I don't really understand why this is so polarising. To me it sounds alright but I probably won't listen to it very much.

Haven't listened for some years and this has horribly dated. Twee, Lloyd Cole clones. If it doesn't age well it isn't a classic

The hits are huge, the filler tracks step into novelty at times.

A band I have never really listened to much. I gave this album a number of listens over the space of the day and it grew on me each time. Whatever may be said of Misery, he has a great voice and Johnny Marr’s guitar work is fantastic. Overall, deserves to be on the list and a must listen to album by the Smiths

I’ve never liked this band, but this album was better than I thought it was going to be. Just don’t like the singer.

My first time listening to The Smiths. I really quite enjoyed it. Might even listen to it again…

Decent. They sure do got a signature sound

Was interested to hear this and research them - was Morressy part of the smiths? Where did they start, how many records etc. Well I don’t really care. Boring record, not my favorite production. Second half was certainly better. Not sure why I see this record on so many best of lists. I had higher expectations.

Ugh. I wanted to love this album since I have always loved the song about being hit by a double decker bus. That song is a 6/5. The rest of the album didn't really do it for me. A couple funny lyrics but it was just the same sound the entire time.

Typical 80’s alt

It wasn't offensive. Morressey is still annoying sometimes.

Melodically and rhythmically entertaining meets lyrically and vocally deficient. I wanted to like this album with its musical strengths but the monotone vocals and depressing and often just plain stupid lyrics got in the way. “Some girls are bigger than others … some girls mothers are bigger than other girls mothers“ is just plain stupid.

US=REM UK=The Smiths

I didn't like them when I first heard them and I don't like em now. They seem a little full of themselves.

Melodramatic british folky rock. It's fairly forgettable, but "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" is pretty good

I hate morrissey

I'm not a massive fan of any of the individual Smiths albums, and if I was in the mood to listen to the Smiths this isn't the album I would select. Not bad or anything, just very middle of the road.

Not my kind of music

A pegada melancólica desse álbum é muito boa.

sorry sean, i kinda like the smiths

Cemetary gates y Bigmouth strikes againe han gustado mucho, pero las otras no tanto, han sido más meh

Great album, witty songs beautifully played and arranged great album.

Still some playfulness in the band, a sense of mischief, and "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" is wonderful.

Hate Morrisey, music is okay though, 3/5

It was fine. A lot of songs had a similar sound to them

2.5 pyöristyi tänään ylöspäin, vaikka edelleenkään en nauti Morrisseyn laulusta.

Nothing great about this one

dont care for this

It's fine, but I agree with some other reviewers - it's too melancholy for my taste.

The Smiths passed me by when they were around, so i don't have any real teenage nostalgia for the songs. The album is absolutely fine, but not noticeably incredible. best track - Bigmouth.

Morrissey is a mood. I like the guitar work. I didn't love it, but appreciated it.

I really disliked Meat Is Murder. This is… better? Somewhat? More tolerable, I suppose. My issue with Morrissey and The Smiths is that most of their songs are overdone, overindulgent, and whiney. Plus Morrissey as a human is so repugnant that I have a hard time even attempting to enjoy anything he’s done. This is probably the best it’ll get for me with The Smiths. I actually enjoyed a few of the songs on the album - “The Queen Is Dead,” “Cemetry Gates,” and “The Boy With The Thorn In His Side.” I’d like to give this a 2.5, but I’m rounding up against my better judgment.

So we've reviewed another Smiths album and a Morrissey album. I can't say that any of it felt more than luke warm to me. Nothing terrible but nothing but a few hits that stood out. This album seemed a bit better than the other 2 but not by a lot. The singing didn't become tedious and showed a bit more range than in the others. I came up with REM as a comp only not as interesting or catchy. I gave the Morrissey a 3; should have been 2.6. This is a 3

another british vocalist. but this time i only find the vocals mildly irritating. the best part about the smiths was always the drums and the bass, they really pull the band together. anyway i didn't listen to this album too much anymore cos morrissey is one of the few artists were i struggle to seperate the art from the artist cos he's so fucking prolific in every project he was in. tried not to let that influence the rating tho cos the music is still pretty good listening.

First off; Is that a motherfucking big mouth reference!? Look overall this was fine, sure there are some stinkers like the skankly song. Rest are not too bad, knew a couple songs from here and there, like the instrumentals more than the voice thats for sure but I don't hate this. Tbh when i saw Marko preping to get crucified for his love of these guys i was like damn they must truly suck ass. But Its fine so idk. Didn't really stand out to me on a deeper level either was just 80s synth rock kinda beat which i don't mind but think i have heard better from the genre. 3/5

Not bad

good vocals, as always with Morrissey.

3 - Some tracks hit: Cemetry Gates, I know It's Over, second half of There Is a Light That Never Goes Out. Despite this, many are very forgettable or just mid. The harsh transitions between tracks can be jarring. I was mostly impressed that the album kept me mostly engaged throughout the run. It definitely benefits from being a short listen.

The struggle is real. The Smiths in general make albums that sound like one long song. That’s not to say I don’t like them! My wife with a Morrissey voice is a hilarious way to enjoy a weekend afternoon. Their music is good. Their vibe is solid. This isn’t a 4 star album. Peace be with you.

This will be a tough one, I HATE Morrisey or however you spell his name. I do enough of The Smiths to believe that I may like them. I guess that’s a good thing because this is NOT the album you want to listen to if you are curious about them. Maybe this is their sound and it doesn’t get any better. I really like How Soon is Now? Which isn’t on this album. Shame. I can’t give this a 2 star because it is instrumentally pleasing, it’s just not catchy . It’s not experimental or storytelling to me either so I’m not just sticking to one preference. It’s not even that gloomy and I thought the Smiths were supposed to be one of the kings of gloom. Whatever, I will give them another listen one day. This just didn’t make the cut above mediocrity. Choice cut: Big Mouth Strikes Again

This is good, especially the 3 singles, but not as good as Meat is Murder, the lp before this one.

I liked this more than I thought I would. More uptempo than I assumed the album would be. Still not my favorite style of music but I enjoyed this. 3.5/5 Might listen again

Мелодичный. Спокойный. Прогулка одному. Не зацепил.

actually enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would

I liked it, would listen again

Cool record and band except for Morrissey. I find him to be the most annoying musician so it's hard for me to give this 4 or 5 stars. He's just so whiney. No thank you.

Fuck Morrissey

Sadhappy

Good album, didn't stick with me.

It was decent

Not bad but not very memorable

There is so much Morrissey on this list and it's like being forced to visit your racist uncle on a regular basis. At least at this point he was still married to Auntie Jonny Marr who is supremely talented and bakes you guitar based cookies of the highest quality. I'm so glad they got divorced so Auntie can go off and live his best life and uncle goes down a YouTube rabbit hole and becomes a sad old man that shouts at clouds and black people. 3 stars out of respect for Jonny

morisey luumukurkku luumukurkku luumukurkku luumukurkku luumukurkku luumukurkku luumukurkku luumukurkku luumukurkku luumukurkku luumukurkku luumukurkku luumukurkku luumukurkku luumukurkku luumukurkku luumukurkku luumukurkku luumukurkku luumukurkku -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.- the quen is dead

This was fine for what it is. 2.8

i liked the big song on here! the rest was just okay.

Frankly Mr. Shankly The Boy with the Thorn In His Side Was a chill album. Easy to listen too and get lost in but I’m not in awe and need to listen again. One was enough. The sound is kind of a magical aura feeling.

They have such a distinct sound. I actually enjoy it...for about half an album then it starts to get old. But at least now I know that some girls are bigger than others I guess.

Same review as the last one, I suck. Remember not being particularly wowed though by something with as much esteem as this album gets.

Also liked this more than the other Smiths album we had. Morrissey has an interesting voice and I don’t love it, but it’s growing on me

I didn't know this album at all. It has the same kind of sad-80's vibe as The Cure, though less goth. I kind of got into Bigmouth, but on the whole the album didn't especially hook me.

A couple of 5-star songs, but most songs are 3-star dragging it to a 4-star album. Then -1 Star for Morissey being Vegan Ted Nugent these days.

If you can't include compilations/best of albums like Louder than Bombs, than Strangeways is definitely a better album. I still liked the songs I remember liking (Big Mouth, There is a Light That Never Goes Out), but the rest mostly drifted into the angst-y whinining I know the Smiths is know for but come on (I Know It's Over, Never Had No One Ever) or jangly attempts at rockabilly that don't quite land (Vicar in a Tutu).

Better than I remembered it.

The same Smiths. Enjoyable but repetitive.

A lot of nostalgia listening to this album. I was never a huge fan of the Smiths in the 80s but they were mixed in with the new wave stuff I was listening to at the time. I used to think they were depressing and whiny, but now I found the lyrics hilarious and the guitar relaxing. Not sure about the whole album, but there are three songs that resonate - Bigmouth Strikes Again, The Boy with the Thorn in His Side, and There is a Light That Never Goes Out. Ironically, one of these songs is on a Viridian Spotify Playlist.

Solid...not great.

I hate you Morrissey.

Moderately entertaining.

I would like The Smiths a lot more if Morrisey wasn't so irritating. Last time we were made to listen to a The Smiths album, I think I reluctantly enjoyed it and was saying it was a shame Mr M. turned out to be such a prick. This time I was reminded I also find his voice and the whole twirling-a-bunch-of-flowers-whilst-wearing-a-diaphanous-shirt thing annoying. I actually like the music. Having said that, this album has more filler than hits. But some classic songs. The Smiths fall into the "Love the hits, the rest is shit" category for me. 3 stars

Standouts: I Know It's Over, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out Overall a really chill album. I'm not too sure what the meanings behind some of the songs were as they did seem quite odd from the occasional glances I gave towards the lyrics. However, just listening to how it sounded, it was really pleasant. I think my favorite was "I know It's Over" and I will definitely listen to that song more.

Still pretty good, although I don't really listen to The Smiths now Morrissey is out as a horrible racist. Best tracks? Cemetry Gates, Bigmouth, There Is A Light.

High school me would have loved this. I'm not quite as emo anymore but still a fun listen.

it's ok

I liked this album. The music is upbeat and I liked the vocals. A nice voice. None of the songs jumped out at me as being fantastic, though.

Classic the smiths. Good album.

The Smiths are an excellent band and very easy listening. Enjoyed listening to this album over the weekend while doing yard work.

Obligatory “fuck Morrissey” but I honestly didn’t hate this.

Words are clear and can be understood, story-like telling album.

Bigmouth Strikes Again is an amazing song. Musically the rest of the album is great, but Morrissey's blase singing takes away from quite a few of the tracks.

- Not sure I have ever heard a Smiths track, well enough a whole album. Not surprised that this is what Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel are fans of in "500 Days of Summer." - Not a fan of britpop, which this apparently influenced, so not a shocker that I felt this was fine. The sound is fine. The tones are fine. I would not turn it off, but I would never seek it out either. - Marr's jangly guitar is fine. Morrisey's vocals are take or leave. - "Cemetary Gates" is clearly the best track, though somebof the backing on "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" is interesting.

🤡

Typically a highly rated album on most critic’s list but I just feel like this album alright. A moody Morrissey is heartbroken. Lyrically and musically this album doesn’t seem to push any boundaries.

I still enjoy Strangeways, Here We Come more than this album, but there’s some great songs on here. Stand outs for me are “The Queen Is Dead”, “Never Had No One Ever”, “Bigmouth Strikes Again”, and my favorite on the album “There is a Light That Never Goes Out”. All the songs here are great and I wouldn’t skip any, except maybe “Vicar in a Tutu”. The first three Smiths albums have a rawness to them that I can completely understand why people might favor them but for me I love how they refined their songwriting, performances and production for their final album Strangeways. For that reason I give this one a 3.5.

Hey look, another The Smiths album! No need to repeat what I have already said about them. There is a Light That Never Goes Out is my favorite on this one. I look forward to listening to the rest of their albums in the coming weeks, lol.

I feel like this album and the first one we'd listened to were pretty similar. I really like the guitar sounds on this one as well, and Morrissey sounds like Morrissey. Some singers can morph and sound a bit different from record to record while still maintaining their vibe....Scott Weiland, Anthony Kiedis, Chino,.... Morrissey so far just does his thing,.sounding like himself. Again nice vocal tones, but I still feel like there could be some more variation given all the cool backing parts he is being given. I feel like the guitar parts on these Smiths albums really jump out at me and are really the core of the band. They really set the tone for everything else, and it's like Morrissey is almost a co pilot to the guitars rather than standing out front of them. I feel the same way with how Maynard fits into some Tool songs. This seems like an album where one would have to be in a certain mood to reach for it. The standouts to me are Frankly Mr. Shankly, Cemetery Gates and Big Mouth Strikes Again.

The Queen is Dead isn't a bad album by any means. Johnny Marr's guitar work shines, especially on tracks like "The Boy With the Thorn in His Side" and "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out." These songs are catchy and beautifully melancholic, capturing that classic Smiths vibe. However, Morrissey's lyrics can be a slog to get through. His signature mopey persona gets old after a while, and there's a pretentiousness that wears thin. Frankly, Morrissey sucks the joy out of some of these songs with his constant negativity. So, it's a mixed bag. Great music, bummer lyrics. For that, The Queen is Dead gets a decent 3 out of 5 stars.

80s British Rock album with no hits. Fine.

Ah, time for the Smiths debate (and I suspect this won’t be the only album on this list). So, Morrisey himself is obvs a massive bellend, but he is a wonderful singer and lyricist and for me is everything good about The Smiths. Without him I think they would be utterly middle of the road forgettable 80s indie and no-one would ever have heard of Jonny Marr (genuinely don’t understand why he is rated at all), let’s face it the music itself isn’t really very interesting. Given this I’m not a massive fan other than the more well known numbers. This album only seems to have a couple of those on it. Bigmouth Strikes Again is quality so I’ll give this album a generous 3.

Not much on today and this album didn't prompt me to get going either. Bigmouth Strikes again has an oddly tiktok-y nightcore voice going on which was entertaining. I enjoyed it but not as much as Adam would approve of oops

Good album.

its fine, nothing special. also fuck Morrissey

This was OK moody 80s synth-pop. My first full listen to anything by them.

Je pense sincèrement que The Smith, avec leur cousin consanguin The Cure, sont les bands britanniques les plus overrated ever.

Good effort 3.4

6/10. Beginning of the album was boring and not my thing. Was leaning 3-4 at the beginning of the album but it picked up. Enjoyed some of the later songs that were higher paced and slightly different singing style.

morbid, and sometimes samey, but i liked the songs i knew

Always a classic love the smiths, I know their discography well but had never listened to it unskipped.

It’s like a album composed of many different versions of a song

3.5 *

Pleasantly surprised by this album. Morissey still sucks though

Some songs I really liked, and others I really didn't. 3/5

The first Smiths record I’ve actually liked. Good hooks and clever songwriting with a reach that doesn’t exceed its grasp.

Titel en jaartal lieten me al in elkaar duiken toen ik het eerste nummer opzette, maar... mwah, dit is eigenlijk nog best te trekken. Jarentachtigmuziek, lijzige zang, maar toch wel met enige muzikaliteit gemaakt. En sommige meiden zijn nou eenmaal groter dan andere.

We hebben het hier vaak over jengelende Britse zeurstemmen. Morrissey is er daar een van. Wat een ongelooflijke zeiksnor is die gast, met zijn jankerige stem. Het overheerst compleet de muziek, waar op zichzelf niks mis mee is. The Smiths is zo'n band waar je het beste de verzamelaar van kan luisteren denk ik. Ze hebben prima hitjes namelijk, maar de overige liedjes op de albums zijn over het algemeen maar opvulling, niemendalletjes, vergeetbaar. En als we het over vergeetbare muziek hebben, dan komen we vaak op een vergeetbare 3 uit. Dat komt wel voornamelijk door het tweede gedeelte, want daar zitten dus wat hitjes, die het zeer matige eerste deel compenseren.

Not for me

ni me acuerdo de este album pero al voz del vocalista siempre va a ser un embole

Some really great tracks on here (“I Know It’s Over,” “Never Had No One Ever,” “Cemetery Gates,” and “There is a Light That Never Goes Out”), but some of the others were meh (“Vicar in a Tutu” “Frankly, Mr. Shankly”).

"There is a light that never goes out" is one of my favorite songs to come out of the 80s. Perfectly captures the air of desperation and despair that can be a backdrop for love and friendship. To me it carries the album and what a heavy load because unless you are a Smiths fan, the rest of it can sound pretentious, flat, and unremarkable.

Standard disclaimer that I can't stand Morrissey - however, he and the rest seem to be taking themselves less seriously on this album. The result makes it better than the rest of the Smiths/Morrissey output that I've been subject to on this list so far.

-I love the smith - sorry ? - i said I love the smith Bah Tom mon grand ton album est chouette mais de la a avoir le coup de foudre bof Pardon mais on en parle de ''some girls are bigger than others'' ?? C'est ça le lyrical prodigy ??

I just don’t know I can’t get into the smiths

3.5 Okay, The Smiths might have grown on me since Meat is Murder. Much more enjoyable album and Morissey's vocals didn't annoy me as much here. Should listen again but wouldn't come back to The Smiths outside of this project

Mid city

This grew on me. Liked it more than I expected. The drums were awesome in the first song.

Thought this was much better than it was. Saw them with my sister in the mid-80’s in Massachusetts. Maybe it was another of their albums I quite liked. This was decent, just nothing spectacular. Sold my copy of this in July of 2017 for $40.

good vibes but every song sounds the same

Not terrible, but quite monotonous and jangly. best I can do is 3 stars and probably won't listen again.

- the queen is dead is i don’t remember/10 so probably smth like 5.5/10 - frankly, mr shanklybwas decidely unpleasant 3/10 - i know its over is 7/10 everything after that was an average of 6.5/10 giving a total of something like 6.1/10 which is 3/5 stars

Going to be a bit of a hater here but not really for me it was alright but not really my sort of jam and i didnt really enjoy it to much overall id give it a 6/10. I know a lot of people like this one but its just not really for me which is a shame. Ill try and come back to this at some point it may grow on me. Sorry joe

Another album that was more enjoyable than I thought it would be. Vocals can be pretty whiny Brit-pop at times but a solid and unique album. 6/10 (3/5)

I really like the Smiths. I feel like when I think of the 80s I think of this band. This album was super short and sweet. All the songs are fun and move along pretty quickly. I wouldn't say it's anything revolutionary for me, but it still was great. Favorite track was Bigmouth Strike Again. Did not add to my Spotify library.

All 80s British rock sounds the same to me. The tune itself is generally upbeat but the lyrics are them complaining about how the Duke of Canterbury sneezed or something. The Smiths made some of the better 80s British rock. I prefer when morrisey went solo. Solid move to end the album on a song about fat chicks and their moms. Favorite Song - There is a light that never goes out Least Favorite Song- some girls are bigger then others

Not a massive smiths fan but it was a solid album. Can always get into that guys singing voice. I jsut need a smiths gf to my Radiohead bf

At the age of 27, Morrissey discovered that women vary in both height and weight. The Smiths always have this weird jittery sad energy in their songs, and for the most part I enjoy it. Usually have some pretty interesting melodies and this album is no different. Shoutout to Andy Rourke, the bass player, some really cool things happening there. Highlights: Frankly Mr. Shankly Never had No One Ever Cemetery Gates Vicar in a Tutu

A light that never goes ours is memorable of course and fine otherwise. I wonder how brits reacted to the album title

Bigmouth and there is a light are rly good songs The rest is pretty good but not gr8 7/10

Album was so short that I gave it a 2nd listen and while I’ve struggled to connect with The Smiths in the past, this is a pretty solid album. It won’t make my favorite rotation but I did enjoy the dark humor that is throughout. My favorites were “Bigmouth Strikes Again”, “Frankly, Mr Shankly”, and “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out”.

The Smiths weren't really all that great, but they were definitely considered that by some in their time. A bit too challenging to be a pure pop band, but they did fill a temporal void in alternative music between post-punk and grunge. For me, Morrisey pushes his poetic self-reflections too far. AndI realize that while it's part of the campiness, his vocal affectations obscure the songs' musical soul. Like putting too much mustard on a great sandwich. No matter how good all the other elements of the sandwich are, all you remember is that it was mustard. With the Smiths, you have to like mustard A LOT.

If you like Indie-Pop you're right here.

Like the lyrics

only saved a few songs but good listen, enjoyed this album more than strangeways, here we come.

Not a big fan of Morrissey as a vocalist. But I can hear and respect the influence they had on other bands of their era, and those to come after.

I mean, it's good if you like Morrissey's singing. I can only handle so much of it.

Eh, ok

Really looking forward to listening to this album. Never listened to a The Smiths album all the way through. Just know how legendary they are and Morrissey is. Not really my kind of music. Definitely respect him and the Smiths, just not my style.

E h Don’t like morriseys vocals. Maybe a bit repetitive and boring at times, but at the time of release it was probably ahead of its time

intereting

Lizzie's in a box best album 2022 Expected Lorenzo Rating: 2

one song is good, but too similar.

It might have been something in the 80s, but now I can imagine it being playing in the background at a department store. Forgettable.

A classic. Self-conscious melodrama; fundamentally silly, bouncy, fun.

This was pretty fun I enjoyed their unique sound. My favorite was “Bigmouth Strikes Again.”

Not quite my tempo

I've definitely heard the smiths, but never 'listened' to them. I not surprisingly, really enjoyed the album as a whole; it was a fun listen through. I feel like I can hear how they've influenced certain bands, and though it feels dated, I see why this album made the list.

knew a lot of these songs and thought i'd enjoy listening to all of them together more. morrissey just seems like such a drag. you gotta be in the right mood i guess

I enjoyed the guitar playing and respect the album's place in the pantheon of RnR, but the vocal style wasn't for me. I won't be spinning this one on repeat, just not my flavor.

Although a very popular band - I really only like a few songs.

Frankly, Mr Shankly

Some pretty good smooth listening

The Smiths delineate a departure from synth-dominated 80's new wave, and a return to guitar-focused British rock. Their simple yet effects-tinged guitar sit nicely on top of a classic indie rock rhythm section, with bright bass and brisk drums, foreshadowing the genre but not quite defining it. The lyrics on the album are a real standout, mixing dry British humor with achingly profound statements, often in the same breath. The vocal melodies are a little lackluster, and tend to wander without firm doubling or emphasis, resulting in a blurring across the album. Ultimately, I enjoyed and appreciated the record, but it's genre-transitional timing and nature place it in the huge shadows of artists before and after. Stand out tracks include "Frankly, Mr. Shankly", "I Know It's Over", and "Cemetery Gates".

Not a very memorable album. Felt very much like I was being rick rolled the whole time.

Highlights: Frankly Mr Shankley, There's A Light That Never Goes Out, Vicar In A Tutu, The Queen is Dead. In a nutshell: Morrissey (and co) Lyrics are great, but I can barely hear the guitar on this album, even after switching headphones. Sometimes bass, definitely drums. I dream of the day where a remastered edition of all the Smiths albums are released. And instead of Morrissey being the loudest, a fairer mix of Johnny, Andy and Mike are heard. Overall: 6/10

This is decent, not a huge fan.

Solidno

Solid but not remarkable.

Pretty good. Another situation of great artists, possibly terrible person? When I listened to this last week I can’t remember if I decided on three or four stars for this one. Since I can’t recall I guess I’ll go with three.

Nice album

When I grew up in the 80s, the Smiths (and adjacent bands like the Cure) were cool girl bands. In fact - quick anecdote - in 9th grade, this cool girl got all the other girls to join together and vote for this album for the high school’s best albums of all time poll. This album made it to #2 on the list. My choice didn’t even rate. If I had a brain cell in the 9th grade I would have listened to this back then. But no, I have to listen to them now, when it does me no good and Morrissey’s reputation is in tatters now. Let’s jump into this thing. The Queen Is Dead - nice intro. Like Johnny Marr’s guitar work. 4/5 Frankly, Mr Shankly - Wild, circus music. I see Morrissey in clown shoes and a vaudeville outfit. Cool guitar sound. Was Mr. Shankly a record ex? 3/5 I Know It’s Over - this song wormed its way into my heart. 3/5 Never Had No One Ever - this song completely left my brain pan 2/5 Cemetry Gates - My wife said I’m being too dramatic. I told her I was listening to the Smiths. 2/5 Bigmouth Strikes Again - Joan of Arc strikes again! Walkman melt! Oh this is a hoot. I’m sure I’ve heard this before. 4/5 The Boy with the Thorn in His Side - I do love how these songs really depend on Morrissey’s voice, like he’s a crucial instrument in the song. I just can’t imagine them without them. 3/5 Vicar in a Tutu - another vaudeville number. Really I would have loved a Beach-boing-bingo movie with Morissey in clown shoes. 2/5 There Is A Light That Never Goes Out - this song has been on my pre-teen daughter’s playlist for months now. Another amusing, overly dramatic death song for teenagers. 4/5 Some Girls are Bigger Than Others - I had a Morrissey album with a song about an entertainingly rotund female. I wonder what the obsession was. Never mind I know what the obsession was. 2/5 This album holds together really well. It’s probably the best version of Morrissey I’ve heard (I really like Your Arsenal though) I think if I was the target audience I would have given this a 4/5 or even 5/5, but instead I’m mildly amused with a 3/5.

always made fun, but never really listened. It's good. Can hear how groups like Belle and Sebastian were influenced.

Definitely did not give this one a fair listen but also didn't catch my attention.

The first song “Queen is Dead” was probably a banger at the time. Mr Shankly was bleh. I’m sure this album was real big at the time, very 80s.

Easier to listen to in the 80s, when angst and hormones flowed freer. Still not a bad album for dark winter days spent alone contemplating a breakup or for general wallowing.

Solid album

Sounds like 80s music. Very eclectic, the style seems to bounce all of the place. Doesn’t stick with me but I don’t hate it so whatever.

Good drummer. Good beat

Good album smith hate page

I dislike Morristown but I gotta admit The Smith are pretty awesome. I’d rate this a 4 but I think 3.5 is more appropriate so it gets a 3.

It feels like I should like it more than I do, but something doesn't fully click for me on this one. It's still very good. Will I listen to again: 35%

Un long truc monotone où très les chansons se ressemblent

A little repetitive especially lyrics

3.5 I’ve never listened to The Smiths and I truly cannot decide if I like Morrissey's voice. It took a second listen to hear much of anything else and a third to realize how bizarrely dark the lyrics are. I love the music either way.

"Fame, fame, fatal fame, it can play hideous tricks on the brain. But still I'd rather be famous than righteous or holy." Das fasst Morrisseys Charakter eigentlich ganz gut zusammen. Auch hier habe ich ein ähnliches Problem wie zuvor bei The Police - ich finde ein anderes Album viel besser (Hatful of Hollow) und kenne die bekannten Songs, aber es hat oftmals einen Grund, warum die die bekanntesten sind. Die ersten beiden Songs (Titelsong & Frankly, Mr. Shabby) und "There is a light that never goes out" gefallen mir am besten. Bei "Bigmouth strikes again" bin ich unschlüssig, was ich davon halten soll - Tendenz geht zu "Uff nee, ganz schlimm". Ähnlich geht es mir bei "Vicar in a tutu", wobei mir das minimal besser gefällt. Den Rest kann man gut in der Badewanne hören.

I'm not super familiar with the Smiths but it's good quality pop/post-punk/indie rock from the '80s. Morrissey can sing that's for sure (even though sometimes he is whining a bit too much), and Marr knows how to play even though there is no technical demonstrations (no solo, nothing particularly fancy but it's well written and interpreted and the melodies are all potential earworms). The production of the album is a bit too dated, you instantly know you're listening to an album from the '80s. All in all it's ok but not so memorable for me. And Morrissey is a racist prick now, it doesn't help

I think this is an OK The Smiths album, but not more. 'There Is a Light That Nevewr Goes Out' is a good song, and 'Frankly, Mr. Shankly' is a quirky but interesting song that could've fitted in well on the first Pink Floyd's 'The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn' album. Other than that it feels quite bland to me.

The singer of this band has a lot of control over his voice and a nice resonant tone. The instrumental is good, and there were times in the album I thought were great but I didn't find anything too special. It isn't the music I'd usually listen to but I have fun listening to it.

Great but still don't see the recent The Smiths hype. Might have to give it another go with more focus but not too impressed.

A vibe

Never been a Smiths or Morrissey fan outside of "How Soon Is Now", but I'm gonna have to check out some more of their work. Enjoyed this.

The album was ok. Interesting vocals and the band was tight.

Good.

Honestly not bad, 6/10

Definitely 80s - moody, great melodies. I was too young to appreciate this at the time. Definitely influenced The Sundays. Can also see why people find Morrisey insufferable - loves singing about how lonely and unloved he is despite being so smart and good looking. Will go back to listen more

I haven't listened to much of The Smiths and this felt like a good intro. I really liked Big Mouth Strikes Again, and then afterwards I listened to The Cure for an hour.

I was impressed with the stark contrasts between songs on this album while all still retaining distinct Smiths-like characteristics. For example, the desperation of The Queen Is Dead compared with the upbeat, slightly comical Frankly Mr. Shankly. This was my second Smiths record and it's certainly the better of the two.

Enjoyable 80s vibes. Great for background listening at work. Some lyrics are pretty stupid, though.

Easy listening. Familiar with their sound and recognized a few songs. Not my favorite, but good background music.

Not my favorite, but solid album for its time

The queen is dead : 5/10 Frankly, Mr. Shankly : 7/10 I know it's over : 5.5/10 Never had no one ever : 5/10 Cemetery gates : 5/10 Bigmouth Strikes again : 7/10 The boy with the Thorns in his side : 6.5/10 Vicar in a Tutu : 4/10 There is a light that never goes out : 6.5/10 Some girls are bigger than others : 4.5/10 The album is nice to hear, but a bit repetitive. Vocals from Morrissey are really nice on some songs. Highlights on Frankly, Mr Shankly and Bigmouth Strikes again Averaged grade : 5.6/10

It was ok, but not something I would normally listen to. I found the music a little depressing.

Ahhhhh the smiths. Kenne halt scho s ganz album aber vlt chani etze mal probiere andersch z lose? Morrissey isch halt schwierigs thema oder und d frag vo separate art from artist chunnt halt da au wieder uf….wobii bi dem album ischer ja no de toll morrissey gsi wo sochli eh stimm für die geh hett wos am meiste brucht hend… so is that okay? Idk. Aber susch mega sympathisch, recht herzige sound! Iwie tönt mit de ziit alles chli gliich aber joa

yes smiths time yes. Byebye queen de ihm. frankly mr shankly isch chli meh silly goofy time aber auno guet. gitarre töned mega schön. bigmouth strikes again riiese banger. die höche stimme huere geil vicar in a tutu au wieder goofy song time, bitz graceland type song? sochli country? some girls are bigger than others?? okö jo i guess? hardi chords, instrumentale teil seeehr geil.

Ich finde es Album ok. Ich kann es mir anhören, aber die bis The Smiths haben mich irgendwie immer noch nicht so gekriegt.

Die ersten beiden Lieder überspringen!

The best way I can describe this album is that it "feels" like it should be critically acclaimed. In my book though, it feels like another page in the English rock book. Many of the songs blend together, aside from a few highlights and lowlights. I guess I could see why some people adore it though. Highlight: Frankly, Mr. Shankly Lowlight: Never Had No One Ever Surprise Hit: n/a

enjoyed it. not my style but I totally see how it could be someone else’s

I went heavy into Smiths circa 2005? I listened so much I had to delete off all from Apple Music. Great songs maybe will revisit in 10 years

Liked it more than I thought I would. Very 80s. Some interesting songs.

3.4

Me gusta mucho la melodía de sus canciones. El diseño de tapa de disco es hermoso!

Decent album, and The Smiths definitely have their own unique sound, but a number of tracks were just kind of there… not too many grabbed me.

I'm surprised that I didn't hate this as much as I thought I would.

pretty enjoyable. The smiths vocals arent my favorite but generally enjoyable enough

Not my jam, per se, but a fun listen nonetheless 😀

Throw enough shit and some of it sticks; I've had them pushed on me for a while and resisted and even listened to some of the other albums, not for me, this one sticks a little.

Excellent although moz is a cunt.

7/10

close to a 4 but not quite. Cemetry Gates and Some Girls are both awesome classic tracks - the rest is good but not wonderful. Perhaps I'm missing the nostalgia effect and also this 'style' of music (post-punky new-wavey english-pixies vibe) is not particularly my thing.... still pretty great overall.

Very 80s and very British. The songs kind of blended together and none was particularly memorable, but Never Had No One Ever and Bigmouth Strikes Again were pretty nice. 2.5/5, rounding up because I feel like it deserves a pass

The best Smiths album, but I've always failed to understand its overwhelming acclaim. There are some great songs on here (namely the title track and bigmouth), but to me it lacks cohesiveness and has too many weak tracks.

I thought I liked this album but it turns out I only like There Is a Light That Never Goes Out

Did not know the smiths. Nice 80s sound, 3.5 start. I will listen again :)

27NOV23 Album 1 Tight rhythm. Johnny Marr. Bigmouth Strikes Again.

Edgy lyrics, but I like the vibe of the music

80's mod, emo, look at me I am so sad regurgitation. Not terrible, not great, just meh. I used to really be into them. My silly young self.

I can't tell if I love or just like this album. I. Enjoyed most of the songwriting, most of the music. I thought without Patrick on vocals maybe some of these songs wouldn't be as memorable. But at the same time I can't think of a single track I outright didn't Like. Very conflicting.

Not bad, kinda emo I think.

Same as morrisye

Kevyttä poprockia. Tykkäsin kyllä melodioista. Vähän ehkä punkmaista

It was good! I think I'd get obsessed if I did an in-depth dig into the lyrics. But on first pass, nice boppy flow, easy to listen to.

I love the lyrics, just not the style i like

Acclaimed to be the Smiths best album.... but meh.... nah, defo not the best output from them in my wee humble opinion. This album is a clear contrast in sides, the A side is meh... OK... its Morissey expressing drama... nothing that grabs you. The B side, opens well with Big Mouth and continues with a run of trademark Smiths classics. So for me, I'd only play half the album.

The man is an arse but he writes good songs.

Not a big Smiths fan

Not my favourite Smiths album, but some good tracks in there.

A few of the songs were catchy. There wasn’t really anything that stood out in this album. Pretty average

I never liked Morrissey’s personality or voice and I still don’t. The song “The Queen is Dead” is cooler than I thought.

Decent album but not my thing

I don't get the references or half of the lyrics. Not a fan of the wobbly, drawn-out vocal stylings. The music was pretty cool overall though. Fav tracks: Cemetry Gates, There Is a Light That Never Goes Out, The Queen Is Dead

Every song is essentially the same. But when every song is really good, maybe sounding the same isn't a bad thing. It's definitely a vibe.

testing notes 2

Was never too much excited about the smiths

Didn’t know this album but thought it was pretty good. Boy With the Thorn was a highlight

Frankly mr shankly rocks. the rest were kinda repetitive.

3 star, repetitive but alright with some good beats

3.5

Pretty fun album, very unique vocals though sometimes I was like is he out of tune or is that just his vibe haha Standout for me was “There is a light that never goes out”

Not my favourite. Didn't finish it.

3/5

I feel like I'm in a B movie from the late 90s. 🐰 3/5

Not bad. Not as soft as I thought. Has a little edge. Can tell the influence it had. 3.5

Просто фоном послушать норм. Не зацепило ничего. С другой стороны, ничего не раздражало. Но переслушивать не хочется. Не верится, что КИНО вдохновлялись этой группой: во-первых, стили разные, во-вторых, КИНО поинтереснее будут.

Iconic vocals and sounds that The Smiths emit. Legendary.

I've come to the conclusion that idgaf about The Smiths. Not enough to listen to this album from start to finish again anyway. Morrissey as a concept gets old quickly and is fatiguing at times. When he's on fire he's fantastic, but he's not God. I already had favourites like Bigmouth, Cemetery Gates, and Some Girls. But I knew that when I was 14. And at 27 I still can't really get into this as much. It makes me feel that bands like Prefab Sprout were and are criminally underrated by comparison. Their album Steve McQueen is lightyears ahead of this and it's from 1985. Obviously, the bangers are bangers, but Morissey makes it harder to appreciate the rest of them and the band themselves. The songs also just feel like they're in a big hurry for him to shut up. I'd rather listen to Jonny Marr as a solo artist. A+ for effort. D- and Boo to Morissey for wailing in and out of key. 3/5 stars

I mean sure this is a classic, but nearly 40 years on it wears thin. While Morrisey's pretentiousness doesn't get to the full self importance of his current work, you see the seeds of what he will become. Of course the band creates these beautiful sonic landscapes in which we can float around partially ignoring Morrisey's lyrics, which is good thing.

Very British

I didn't grow up listen to much 80s music so I've had to discover most of it as an adult. A few years ago I decided to finally give the 4 albums by The Smiths a listen to see what all the fuss was about. I remember being kind of indifferent but I guess it didn't make enough of an impact to stick in my brain. By contrast, some 80s music made me fall in love immediately. Anyway I'm listening to their 3rd album (The Queen is Dead" again for this group activity. I listened to the 2011 remaster that doesn't include extra songs. I appreciate the name. I'll always enjoy British music poking fun of the ridiculous monarchy. The good news: Some Girls are Bigger than Others is pretty fun (and it's the only one that stayed with me after finishing the album). The bad news: I had to listen to the rest of the album before getting to the last song. Come to think of it, this is one of the rare albums I can recall where the back half is more interesting than the front. I was indifferent to mostly of the songs but one of them I actually hated. I think it was track 2 or 3. I can't bring myself to listen again to clarify though. After listening to the album yesterday, I looked at the Critical Reception section on Wikipedia and I can't help thinking either fans are listening to something else than I am, or maybe whatever subgenre this is just isn't for me. I don't always find myself in agreement with near-universal acclaim and this is definitely one of those times. Morissey's vocals are off-putting to me. Several songs in the first half veered between "drunken 50s lounge singer" and funeral dirge. I can get past vocals I don't love if the instrumentation pulls me in. However this is another area where I feel confused by the rave reviews. I feel that the instrumentation is underutilized on many of the songs. Halfway through I was surprised to hear some punchy drums for a change, because for most of the songs I had trouble hearing the band buried under the crooning. Maybe the overall sound is intentional but it just isn't very fun for me. But I think the melodies are pretty decent actually. If it was played and recorded differently I think I'd like it much more. For personal enjoyment I'd give it 2 stars. However I noticed some humorous lyrics that made it more interesting, and taking the piss out of the royal family is a bonus too. So I'll bump it up to 3 stars total.

Not a favourite, but easy listening

Les plus : White Queen (As It Began) : sitar, grandiose, prog-rock, transition avec Some Day One Day et son explosivité. Les moins : ventre mou fin de face A / début de face B, manque de ce petit truc qui fait d’un album de Queen un album de Queen. Freddie timide, qui se cherche, dans les prémices du grandiose à venir. A un poil du classique. Les 4 premiers sons mettent en jambe et sont très plaisants à écouter, milieu un peu mou par la suite. Mais les titres s’embriquent et se suivent divinement bien. Un véritable opéra-rock. N’oublions pas qu’il ne s’agit là que de leur second album ! Des précurseurs. Quels génies de la composition. The March Of The Black Queen est un exemple parfait du style typique de Queen. L’album fini en trombe avec l’hypnotisante Funny How Love Is et l’explosif Seven Seas Of Rhye. Globalement, on a ici un album savamment construit, très intelligent, audacieux et sombre dans la gaieté. Un léger manque de maturité qui viendra plus tard dans la discographie du groupe.

Morrissey is annoying

I can see how influential it was without ever needing another listen. I Know It's Over will likely remind me of a specific time of life, though.

Decent album, nice on a rainy day.

Morrissey whines like a little bitch for a half hour. If you have to play the Smiths, this is certainly their most listenable project. James Walsh tells me they were pretty groundbreaking and important for future whiney little bitches to feel comfortable crying openly on records. I will concede that there are certainly times when you need some music that just leaves it all out there, emotionally speaking. I'll tip my hat to them for this and considering the soundscape of popular music in the mid-eighties this deserves an A for originality. Never Had No One Ever is the one. Morissey flexes his vocal range on you and the instrumentation just...works for the subject matter and the general mood that the Smiths more or less hang on to for the entirety of the album. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out is the track people will tell you to listen to. Ugh. I struggle to move past the cringe of the lyrics to appreciate this song in any capacity. If you want to die in a car crash with someone this may be your jam, but this is next level bitch-made nonsense. This album is worth listening to for an avid music fan, but is unlikely to receive a fuzzy embrace in a casual setting. It lacks the rage and anger I appreciate as a contrast for music that relies so heavily on hoping you can empathise with a broken man. I can...but I want to be pissed off for him. Not just cry...like a little bitch.

It’s kinda concerning how many songs I knew off this album first go

Musically it deserves a 5. Morrisey makes it a 3

Listened to it multiple times today, that’s gotta be a good sign, right? It had some good songs, had some ok songs. Decent album.

Did not pay attention to the lyrics, but a definite positive vibe to the music. Excellent for a soundtrack to making Sunday morning breakfast (which I was doing)

Not a fan of Morrissey's pompous singing style, maybe I just don't like his accent. Probably skewed by his image. The album grew on me as I progressed. Favourite song "I Know It's Over"

Not bad not my speed in terms of 80’s synth

Really good and an iconic sound. Kinda short however. (71%)