The Queen Is Dead

absolutely a 5/5 musically. docking a point for morissey being a dick.

Probably my favorite of all the smiths albums i’ve listened to so far

By far, one of my favorite smiths albums. Love almost all the songs on the album.

"The Cure make you want to kill yourself. The Smiths make you wish you'd never been born." Removal of one star because Morrissey is such a wanker.

This isn't my favourite Smiths album, although there are a lot of standout tracks. Some of the songs are fairly mean spirited / the humour is misdirected

My favorite album of theirs. Still incredible.

It's all good, but There Is a Light That Never Goes Out blows the rest of the songs out of the water.

I always heard people talk about The Smiths with reverence and after we got our first Smiths album, I was like eh I don’t get it. We just got the wrong one first, this album was really good

I never went all in with the Smiths, always suspected he might be a nazi and possibly responsible for the cardigan craze of my youth. However this has four genuine classics, great for a mix tape and always had time for marr's jingly jangly riffs. Some dross on here though that can't be excused.

As a follow up to Meat is Murder and Hatful of Hollow (which are kind of the same but different) The Queen is Dead hits all the right notes. You have Johnny Marr's jangly guitars turned up plus Morrissey's morose whining tuned down. Some songs, such as Cemetary Gates and Frankly Mr. Shankly, are downright upbeat. Even the sadder or angrier songs, such as Bigmouth Strikes Again or The Boy with the Thorn in His Side, are fine tunes. While there is no giant of a song like How Soon is Now?, it is full of great songs and better production. Definitely an album any Smiths fan, 80s fan, or music lover should have.

I’m not a fan- but it’s still good.

Not exactly what I was wanting on a bright and sunshine-filled Friday morning - dreary moody emo rock from Morrissey and The Smiths - but I enjoyed this much more than I was expecting to.

Every song had a way to pull you back in before changing it. At times this felt like a 3 while others it felt like a 5.

Surprisingly upbeat at times with the classic Morrissey/Marr sound.

Great album, found the lyrics to be hilarious at times and the musicianship top-notch. The Smiths aren’t the best band that ever came out of Manchester (that would be The Fall) but they are pretty damn good.

the cure may be the better band, but this is the best project between the two. morrissey's best vocals and songwriting coincide on this album, coming together to create a whole bigger than its parts. however, the album does lack consistency, with some of the songs not nearly reaching the highs of tracks like there is a light that never goes out or i know its over, enforcing the smiths' reputation as a singles band. also, crazy that the queen is actually dead now.

Jangly guitar in all its glory. Great melodic bass lines. But Morrisey's lyrics are the star here. Sometimes he's clever, sometimes he's a petulant child, usually he's moody as all hell, but always he's compelling. "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" laps at the shores of genius.

She sure is!

Generally good songwriting. Some good melodies that stick. Interesting production. Not a huge fan of the vocals. But I get why people like it.

Morrissey is quite the cunt, but it’s not bad.

Suprised myself by actually quite liking this. Good voice and lyrics though pretty depressing and despite Morrisey being an arse

dude is just moanin & groanin every song. nice.

I don’t dislike this album but, between The Smiths and Morrissey’s solo projects, this is the fourth time for him to come up. I think I’ve got it; we can move on.

I like the smiths better than anything else Morrisey has touched but that’s not saying much. Moody pop masquerading as mod.

I'm a big fan of Bigmouth Strikes Again. A cool song and a cool fella but more importantly the album was a solid listen. Some of the track had the same formula to to it but it was still fun to listen to. Top 3 Fav: Bigmouth Strikes Again, There is A Light That Never Goes Away, and The Boy With The Thorn In His Side Top 3 Worst: no bad songs 3.50/5

Short but was very enjoyable.

Not my thing but love Johnny Marr

Reminds me of High School and the kids who loved dockers and rolled up jeans. The Smiths are very good clearly maybe not exactly for me. This is still a good album clearly.

Grew on me. First few tracks were dull but by Cemetary Gates I was in

I don’t hate this album as much as I used to, even if morissey is still way too whiney. This probably hit super hard if you were a British teen back then. The instrumental composition is really good. The fact that this got a 3 out of me is saying a lot. It just makes me want to listen to Brand New. Similar amounts of whiney crooning

It’s too bad morrisey is a piece of shit

Thank god for whoever worked on that remaster, because the original mix was so flat and tinny that it was unbearable. Now, I can finally ignore Morrissey's cringe lyrics and deep self-importance to listen to some relatively decent backing tracks in peace.

The amount of irritating headlines I've read about Morrissey is higher than the number of The Smiths songs I have heard. It's a shame because some of this is quite good, particularly the sad songs for sad boys and girls. The rest are okay, bordering on mediocre though. Such is life when an artist is hyped up as much as these guys. Maybe I'll listen to the title track and Cemetry Gates to help drown out all the insane things Morrissey says

British emo

I liked the production and grooves. The really unique delivery of the singer often sounds like singsong narration rather than melody. Sometimes that's cool, but it's a little much for a long listen, even on this short-ish album. The lyrics are also really literal and expository rather than esoteric and poetical. It's strange feeling: to be surprised, by the thought, that this is unusual!

Reveals how much Smiths songs need a gimmick, not to mention a kick up the arse. The evidence is I Know It's Over, Never Had No One Ever and The Boy with the Thorn in His Side, which slump too comfortably into their favourite armchair. But everywhere else, they land on something unusual to give the elliptical storytelling, bummed-out vocals and chipper guitar the lift they need. That's a win for form. As for content, only time will tell if I can find any sort of emotional communion with Morrisey. For now, I'm happy to chuckle at his prickly phrasemaking.

I Cannot Fucking Wait Til Morrissey Dies [FLAC, 2018] (5/10, quite tame)

A sad, forlorn, and frankly delivered album from the mid-80's that is just as catchy as it is critical of humanity. Must be The Smiths.

I used to hate the Smiths, mainly because I'm not a fan of Morrissey's maudlin vocal stylings, but I've grown to appreciate them over the years. Still not a huge fan of the vocals but I liked the music on this quite a bit. 3 stars.

Fun little jingle jangle songs that sound happy, lyrically sad, but all in good humor. Not quite my style, but I do appreciate the sound they create. Good for a melancholy mood that needs to be fixed.

Morrissey's crooning is so over the top, and his lyrics toe the line between cheeky and earnestly cheesy. But it all somehow works. Favorite Smiths album for me.

Never listened to a full smiths albums, just random songs here and there. In general, I get why. I feel like the Smiths are a band made for the compilation. Good songs, album is ok? IDK.

I understand why "There Is A Light..." is so appreciated, it's a fine song. But nothing superlative as far as I'm concerned. Anyway, the sonic landscape is consistently good, a little melancholy but still pop. The pitch-shifting is fun.

Some decent stuff by Johnny Marr, but just can't stand Morrissey's whingy, monotone voice and (some) appalling lyrics! Really fail to see what the appeal is. Another one for the 1001 albums not to listen to again before I die.

I once knew this guy who was whiny and soft and I didn’t like him and he loved the Smiths and now when I listen to the Smiths I can’t tell if I don’t like them because they remind me of him or if it’s because I just don’t like them but I think it’s because I just don’t like them because they too are whiny and soft.

I don't like the Smiths.

Ok. Don't like the voice or vocal effects

I’m no monarchist, but The Queen is Dead has me reconsidering that stance. Surely, a benevolent dictator, unfettered by democracy, wouldn’t allow an enterprise as soul-draining and limp as The Smiths to run amok in their kingdom, would they? Johnny Marr’s guitar is The Smiths’ only saving grace in my book and it’s great here. The rhythm section is ok and the production is a typical 80’s mix. Everything about Morrissey sucks. Hard. He easily ranks amongst the 10 most insufferable people on the planet, and that was before revealing himself to be a Grade A bigot. If you like songs about how it would be great to be run over by a bus and killed, this is the album for you. Usually after I finish one of these records, I either listen to it again or listen to something similar in my collection for the sake of comparison. Today, I took off my headphones, unable and unwilling to do either. This record has (at least temporarily) made me hate music.

It's only getting an extra point because the queen finally fucking died.

not bad! i agree with the "sad music for sad people" review

Watching the one video from this album (The Boy With The Thorns In His Side), I remember why I don't like The Smiths: Morrissey is just a whiny little s**t. He just... tries to hold himself like he doesn't know what to do with his arms. He is no Jim Morrison, I can tell you that. And that whole jangle-y guitar. Gah. Just... irritating. Next.

I never dislike the Smiths, but it does all run together for me. Fairly clever lyrics, and I certainly see the impact on alternative music.

Meh.

I wish a double decker bus had crashed into me while listening to this shite 1 ⭐️

Can't stand his voice, whining lyrics and boohoo songs.

Hard to get over my intense dislike of Morrissey.

Get this out of my ears

Entering this with a strongly negative prior opinion. Let's see how it goes. At least it is relatively short at under 40 minutes. (Also a coincidental album title for the 9th of September 2022, maybe a little bit in bad taste). By the third track Morrissey's whinging voice is becoming almost intolerable, which is a shame because apart from the vocals the music is actually OK. Track seven and it is becoming physically painful listening to Morrissey, still only three more to go after this. I think I am strong enough. Well I survived to the end, and unfortunately my prior opinion was overwhelmingly confirmed. I detest Morrissey's voice to such a degree that it makes it impossible to really evaluate the rest of the band. It would be interesting to hear covers of some of these songs, perhaps that would help, but as it is I can't give this anything other than 1 star (I would prefer 0)

Got served this on the morning of September 9th, the day after Queen Elizabeth II (I of Scotland) passed away. So much for randomisation. Anyway, this is shite. Shite singer, shite songs, shite production, shite lyrics. The guy sings like he has been kicked in the plums, but I don't think we are that lucky. Turns out he is a nazi too, so fuck him. Would give it zero, or even less than that if I could. Absolutely pish

I'd rather chew on aluminum foil than listen to morrissey.

Morrissey is an insufferable twat.

Didn’t need to listen

God I hate The Smiths.

Garbage

The Queen Is Dead starts out strong. The backbeat on the title cut is overly insistent, but the dense web of Johnny Marr's guitars makes this tune compelling, if overlong, and Morrisey's vocal is at least not offkey. Things swiftly go downhill from there. The ghastly oompah-pah beat of Frankly Mr. Shankly dooms it out of the gate. I Know It's Over is an update of 50s doowop, a nothing composition with a with a melodramatic delivery by Morrisey; he's constantly threatening to go out of tune; it's fucking awful. But what really sinks The Queen Is Dead is the uncreative songwriting; it's a compendium of cliches without a wrinkle of originality to be found anywhere, at least musically speaking. I didn't really pay attention to the lyrics. It didn't take me long to start to really resent Morrisey's melodies, though. They cycle through similar strategies. In particular, he's fond of endlessly arpeggiating between the tonic and the third of the song's key. Every song's melody is approached in this modal fashion. It's beyond boring. On Bigmouth Strikes Again, The Smiths find a new way to be annoying; the harmonies are sped up to sound like the Chipmunks. On the evidence of this album, it's a mystery why The Smiths had any sort of career. Wait, that's right, it was the 80s, possibly the biggest nadir of popular culture in the last 60 years. They fit right in. Other than my praise of the title cut, the only nice thing I can say is that the awful synthesizers are kept in the back of the mix and the production doesn't stink of the late 80s.

Despite the Morrissey-shaped elephant in the room, this is just a damn good set of tracks. 4.5 bumped up to 5.

I’m at a 5. As always, Morrissey's a dickhead. You know it, I know it; no need to say anything more. Johnny Marr, however, fucking rules, and the combination of the two here feels especially potent. The unsung third hero of this album, and one who unlocks both Marr & Morrissey further, is Mike Joyce, who puts in some unbelievably strong percussion work on all of these tracks. There’s a hell of a pulse that comes from the drums that breathes some extra life into the album, and between that drum work, Johnny Marr’s guitars & yes, Morrissey’s vocals, it’s just an unstoppably captivating album (at least until the last track, but we’ll get there). Morrissey, by this point, has begun bitching about the world. Not everything about the world, but the self-aware savior complex prick version of him with a desire for a spotlight on his plight is slowly coming to life on this album. However, unlike the bitter solo version of himself trying to prove misguided points about the world after the Smiths’ breakup, this version of Morrissey has enough tact to add lots of wit that keeps these from being too bitchy. There’s enough self-awareness here to wink to the room & induce a little bit more empathy than disagreement, and it helps that the songwriting is relatable in broader strokes. “The Queen is Dead”, for example, is a pretty strong case for the monarchy losing its cultural staying power & becoming just more cogs in the machine of life. “Frankly, Mr. Shankly” is just a desire to be known & make an impact (and to get paid, as most people want). “I Know It’s Over” is drab & dreary, comparing beds to coffins & contemplating suicide after being rocked to the core by an especially hard breakup. It’s dramatically overdone, yes, but in the broadest strokes possible, there’s something innately relatable to that initial wave of sadness & mourning if you’ve ever felt it at a deeper level. The same goes for “Never Had No One Ever”, especially if your hometown reminds you of any kind of loneliness in your formative years. This album sets its lyrical tone in the first four tracks before instrumentally switching it up for the last 6 tracks, as everything from “Cemetry Gates” onward just sounds a lot brighter & more energetic, with the composition & production work lifting up an energy that’s just infectious to the ears. This is where the drums shine pretty brightly (and a bit loudly), & it’s where Johnny Marr’s guitar work hits a higher level. Morrissey’s vocal delivery switches to glide on both more easily, and he finds a natural flow that really works. All of the wit is still there (“Some dizzy whore, 1804” is a pretty funny line, come on), & while both “Bigmouth Strikes Again” & “The Boy with the Thorn in His Side” are the most bitchy-feeling tracks on the album, they’re at least complaints centered around himself & not societal issues at large, so they’re nowhere near as annoying as they could be. “Vicar in a Tutu” is odd, but at least it’s a positive note for the outcasts of the world to live life in ways that makes them feel happy without judgement. “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out” is THE monster hit here, & I see why it has over a billion plays on Spotify. The instrumentation is fantastic, and the dual interpretations of the track both work in my mind. It’s either a desire to maintain vicarious ecstasy brought upon from love even at the most mortal cost, or a desire to end it all in a place where he can at least feel good about dying next to someone he loves. Regardless of either interpretation, it’s a track that’s deeply centered around a desire to feel something, and I think there’s just an innately human quality behind it that’s relatable. While I may never quite know what the light truly represents, I do think it’s the best track here, & a great closer to a great alb- Oh, right, sorry. Yeah, “Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others” is just kinda there. You could try to sell me on the timeless nature of male fascination with the female body as the driving thing that makes the track work, but there’s just not enough lyrical potency to make that point feel more compelling. I think it’s fantastic instrumentation that just doesn’t flesh out its thoughts on the flesh enough. It’s not a *bad* track, but frankly, it’s a really weak closer after such a timeless high. It’s unfortunate. It honestly could've been fine earlier in the album. Hence, a 5. It could’ve been a little higher, but the last track just kinda pulls it down. Regardless, it’s an album that earns a lot of its acclaim, at least to my ears. The floor here is a 3.5, bare minimum, as the musical talent at hand here is undeniably alluring, even if it’s solely from everyone who’s not Morrissey. I think everything comes together here really nicely. For our last Smiths album on the list, it’s a good way to go out, as it naturally lifts up from “Meat is Murder” & fills in some of my minor nitpicks from “Strangeways, Here We Come”. It is probably the best Smiths album here from top to not quite bottom, and I’m glad it lived up to the hype. It’s a 5. I am so fucking ready to be free of Morrissey.

Listened 8/25/2026 (a relisten of course).

Best album I've heard from this website so far

Absolutely stunning wonderful and beautiful in every way. 10s across the board

I thought I didn't like The Smiths because they were too depressing and boring for me (which at the time was ironic if you knew some of the other things I was listening to at the time). Accordingly, I forgot about The Smiths for many years. A few years ago a friend suggested I revisit a couple of songs on this album. Now I like The Smiths. I consider "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" to be one of the great love songs of all time.

Remember when white people used to make music like this?

The Smiths were arguably the best group of the 80s. Morrisey and Marr are musical gods. Morrisey writes sharp ironic while Marr arranges the music. The Queen is Dead is their best album Let’s do a song by song analysis of the album. The Queen is Dead: Morrisey pokes fun at the Royals, the Queen and Prince Charles. Frankly Mr. Shanty: Morrisey writes about his disgust of his record company President. I would feel more fulfilled writing Christmas cards for the mentally ill. I know it’s over: it’s so easy to laugh,so easy to hate, it takes strength to be gentle and kind. Never had no one ever: self explanatory. Cementary Gates: nice arrangement by Marr. Morrisey talks about how interesting and fun it is to walk through a cemetery. Bigmouth strikes again: I’d like to smash every tooth in your face. Great guitar by Marr.. There is a light that never goes out: Smiths’ anthem. Song of existential angst. Will be played at my celebration of life. Some girls are bigger than others: Morrisey writes about his obsession with big girls. All these songs are beautifully arranged by Johnny Marr. An amazing album. Five big stars.

Fuck Morrissey

The top two reviews don't even comment on the album; they are simply anti-Morrissey. Have you bothered to read that he's only 1/4th of the Smiths? That Johnny Marr composed all of these songs? And that Rourke and Joyce are simply a killer rhythm section? I honestly feel that reviews that blatantly bash artists/bands just for the sake of it should be removed on this site. Otherwise, why am I and others putting in all the effort to listen to these albums and learn about them, and provide a constructive critique? I've never been a Smiths die-hard fan. But I have always loved this album, even going as far to learn how to play many of these songs and sing along to them - which is frankly difficult to do. These are not simple structures and chord changes, though they seem as such at a first listen. With influences varying from punk, folk, chamber music, Phil Spector-style pop, and more, Marr truly dwelled into very melancholy, moody melodies here. I love how dark and intimate the songs and themes are as a result. Say what you will about Morrissey today, at the time he was at the top of his game, vocally and lyrically speaking. After all these years, I find myself smirking and chuckling at a lot of his very dark imagery and sardonic observations: "I say, Charles, don't you ever crave To appear on the front of the Daily Mail Dressed in your mother's bridal veil?" "Oh, I didn't realise that you wrote poetry I didn't realise you wrote such bloody awful poetry, Mr Shankley" "If you're so very entertaining Then why are you on your own tonight? If you're so very good-looking Why do you sleep alone tonight? I know, 'cause tonight is like any other night" "All those people, all those lives Where are they now? With-a loves and hates and passions just like mine They were born, and then they lived And then they died Seems so unfair, I want to cry" "Sweetness, I was only joking when I said By rights you should be bludgeoned in your bed" There are others, such as the chorus on "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out", but overall these are seriously SMART and often FUNNY lyrics sung in a very idiosyncratic, swooning style that elevates the heavily chorused, reverbed, atmospheric sound. Especially on "I Know It's Over" and "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side" - those vocals! The percussion and bass is busy and bouncy, and the jangly guitar lines allow the songs to remain listenable and accessible in spite of the dark themes and experimental mix. It's truly sad that this band wouldn't go on for much longer - Morrissey and Marr were simply at odds with each other in terms of wresting control, but here, they beautifully compliment each other, sound-wise and lyrically-speaking. This is an all-time classic of indie rock and post punk, maybe pop music in general. We owe so much to it.

My way of "separating the art from the artist" is to cancel in life but forgive in death (assuming I'm otherwise inclined to fuck with that person's work, like I don't really feel like throwing on a Burzum record regardless what side of the grave Varg Vikernes turns up on on any given day). Mostly this has been fine, occasionally I feel a lackness, like with Kanye, but the only one that really hurts is Stephen Patrick Fucking Morrissey, whose weird trajectory from sad fop to vegan fop to Victorian racist to 21st-century far-right ghoul (so easy to imagine him around a table with Peter Thiel and Nick Fuentes and "Mencius Moldbug," outwardly reticent but inwardly salivating at the decadent homosocial blandishments of these alt-White iconoclasts) is, like, exhibit 1 for the dangers of believing, just because someone's words hit us like a lapel lily to the heart, that they see the world the way we do. Like ... "It's so easy to laugh, it's so easy to hate / It takes strength to be gentle and kind" – what depths of irony???!!! "If a double-decker bus crashes into us / To die by your side / What a heavenly way to die" – that song was a precarious rope bridge, for me and a certain other beautiful soul who I'll always cherish, to something like a grownup version of love – or, like, the cloak of melodrama that made something simpler and plainer and better (regardless how it ended, things end, people grow and fail and grieve) possible. And songs like "Cemetery Gates," that just simply make me happy. Today I'm listening to The Queen Is Dead for my 1001 albums project; tomorrow it'll go back to being dead to me until Morrissey finds his spot with Keats and Yeats (if they'll have him), except when it comes on at a coffeeshop or the like and I linger for a minute for a taste of that lost feeling. Makes it hard to know how to rate it – people always say like "I still love the Smiths for Johnny Marr," and sure, but it's not like you can syphon "Moz" (once nickname-beloved for millions! Pale bisexuals, Chicano tough guys with a teardrop tattoo, poor ol' Mark Simpson who wrote a whole horny book called "Saint Morrissey") from this music. Seems to make more sense to separate the music not only from the artist but also from my own maybe eccentric listening practice, grant it the 5/5 it undeniably has in my heart, and go back to not playing it, return it to the silence of irreconcilability.

Missed this the first time through. Always wanted to listen to it, too. It doesn’t disappoint.

I can't think of another band with lyrics like, "If a 10 ton truck kills the both of us, to die by your side well, the pleasure, the privilege is mine" that are set more beautifully to music.

Great

Loved The Smiths as a teen, they're even better than I remember. 5/5.

There were a number of songs that I remembered from a previous listen of the album with my favourite on this listen through being “Frankly, Mr. Shankley”. I thought the best song on the entire album though was “Cemetry Gates”. While there are really good songs on this album that I could listen to on their own, this album is a good example of the whole being greater than its parts. The songs together build on one another and create a quite enjoyable listening experience

An classic indie (? Alternative?) album. The songs are different, they have an exciting production, there’s a variety in each of the songs’ sounds while remaining cohesive. My favs are Bigmouth and the title track.

Je me rappelle exactement le moment où les Smiths se sont engouffrés dans ma vie. J'étais adolescent, enfermé dans une chambre trop petite, le cerveau asphyxié par les hormones, le spleen anglais et cette sensation poignante que personne sur cette terre ne pouvait me comprendre. Et puis, la voix de Morrissey est arrivée. Ce crooner dramatique, sarcastique, drapé dans un romantisme morbide et une ironie tranchante comme une lame de rasoir. Depuis ce jour-là, Morrissey et la guitare magique de Johnny Marr ne m'ont plus jamais quitté. Ils ont été là lors de mes premiers chagrins d'amour dévastateurs, mes errances sous la pluie, mes cuites mélancoliques et mes remises en question existentielles. Ils ont été les témoins et les complices de toutes les étapes de ma vie. Alors, s'attaquer aujourd'hui à The Queen Is Dead, c'est un peu comme ouvrir le livre de mes propres souvenirs. C'est l'album culte par excellence, le monument de l'indie-pop britannique, le disque que tout le monde vénère sur un autel. Et soyons clairs d'entrée de jeu : c'est un chef-d'œuvre absolu de bout en bout. Dès le morceau-titre qui ouvre l'album, l'attaque est frontale, irrévérencieuse, presque sauvage. Ça commence par un extrait sonore de Take Me Back to Dear Old Blighty avant d'exploser dans un maelström de larsen, de batterie pilonnée par Mike Joyce et de basse vrombissante signée Andy Rourke. Et là-dessus, Morrissey débarque avec son venin le plus pur, s'en prenant directement à la monarchie, à la Reine, au Prince de Galles et à l'establishment britannique tout entier. « Is the World ah so foul that we're standing on the edge of a brutal war? I'm with the H-bomb... » C'est violent, c'est drôle, c'est d'une insolence rare. Marr fait hurler sa guitare avec une pédale wah-wah furieuse. En quatre minutes, les Smiths balayent la mièvrerie ambiante et rappellent qu'ils sont le groupe le plus important et le plus dangereux du Royaume-Uni. Ce qui fait la force inégalable de cet album, c'est l'alchimie parfaite entre le désespoir le plus noir et un humour noir totalement décapant. Morrissey n'est pas juste un type triste qui pleure sur son sort ; c'est un auteur cynique, acerbe, d'une intelligence diabolique. Prenez Frankly, Mr. Shankly. En deux minutes d'une pop bondissante et faussement naïve, le duo règle ses comptes avec le patron de leur label Rough Trade, Geoff Travis. C'est une lettre de démission mise en musique, remplie d'insultes poétiques et de sarcasmes désopilants sur l'industrie musicale. Puis, sans transition, l'album vous enfonce la tête sous l'eau avec I Know It's Over et c'est ici que le disque touche au sacré. Morrissey y livre une performance vocale d'une vulnérabilité terrifiante, hurlant sa solitude face à un amour impossible. Quand la guitare de Marr s'élève doucement sur le final et que Morrissey répète en boucle « I can feel the soil falling over my head », j'ai encore des frissons qui me traversent l'échine, exactement comme la première fois que je l'ai entendu à seize ans. Et comme si le groupe voulait nous empêcher de nous taillader les veines, ils enchaînent avec Cemetry Gates. Une balade acoustique lumineuse où Morrissey se moque des plagiaires, cite Keats, Yeats et Oscar Wilde, tout en se promenant joyeusement dans un cimetière. Ce contraste permanent entre la lumière de la musique de Johnny Marr et l'ombre des textes de Morrissey est tout simplement génial. Si la première face est une démonstration de force, la seconde moitié de l'album enfonce le clou sans la moindre baisse de régime. On y retrouve l'hymne auto-dérisoire Bigmouth Strikes Again, où Morrissey se compare à Jeanne d'Arc sur son bûcher parce qu'il a encore sorti une connerie de trop. La guitare de Marr y est d'une précision chirurgicale, un galop effréné de cordes en acier qui a inspiré des générations entières de guitaristes indie. On croise aussi la beauté pure de The Boy with the Thorn in His Side, une chanson pop aérienne, brillante, où la voix de Morrissey part dans des vocalises improbables qui devraient être ridicules mais qui s'avèrent magistrales. Et puis... il y a There Is a Light That Never Goes Out. Que dire sur ce morceau qui n'a pas déjà été dit mille fois ? C'est tout simplement l'une des plus belles chansons pop jamais écrites dans l'histoire de la musique moderne. Ce fantasme romantique d'un adolescent prêt à mourir percuté par un bus à double étage plutôt que de rentrer chez lui, porté par des arrangements de cordes synthétiques sublimes, c'est de la poésie pure. C'est l'essence même de ce que sont les Smiths : la beauté trouvée dans le désastre, le romantisme absolu niché dans le désespoir le plus complet. Arrivé à ce stade de ma chronique, vous vous dites sûrement : « Bon, il leur a mis 5 sur 5, il vient de passer dix paragraphes à expliquer à quel point ce disque est un monument, l'affaire est pliée. » Eh bien non, et c'est ici qu'intervient mon avis de fan absolu, celui qui écoute les Smiths depuis des décennies. The Queen Is Dead est un album parfait de bout en bout. Il n'y a pas une seule fausse note, pas un seul morceau à jeter (même le sautillant et absurde Vicar in a Tutu ou le très étrange Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others ont leur place exacte dans cette dynamique). C'est leur album le plus iconique, le plus équilibré, le plus populaire. Mais à mes yeux, ce n'est pas encore la perfection absolue. Car la perfection absolue, le sommet inégalable de leur carrière, le chef-d'œuvre ultime où le groupe a touché le divin avant de se désintégrer à jamais, ce sera sur l'album suivant : Strangeways, Here We Come. Là où The Queen Is Dead est l'apogée de leur formule classique indie-pop/rock, Strangeways est une œuvre sombre, complexe, orchestrale, tragique et expérimentale. Sur Strangeways, Marr explore des sonorités plus denses, des pianos hantés, des ambiances crépusculaires (Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me, A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours). The Queen Is Dead est l'album de la maturité triomphante ; Strangeways est le chant du cygne sublime d'un groupe au bord du gouffre. Mais ne nous trompons pas de débat : dire que The Queen Is Dead est légèrement inférieur à Strangeways, c'est comme dire que la cathédrale de Notre-Dame est légèrement moins impressionnante que le Taj Mahal. On discute ici au niveau des dieux. The Queen Is Dead méritera toujours sa place au panthéon des plus grands disques de tous les temps. C'est un album que l'on peut réécouter cent fois, mille fois, et y trouver à chaque fois une nouvelle subtilité dans le jeu de guitare de Marr, une nouvelle nuance d'ironie dans le chant de Morrissey, ou simplement se laisser porter par cette vague de nostalgie magnifique. Si vous ne l'avez jamais écouté (ce qui serait un crime passible de la correctionnelle pour tout amateur de rock), jetez-vous dessus. Et si, comme moi, vous avez grandi avec ce disque gravé dans votre ADN, remettez-le sur votre platine. Laissez la guitare de Marr ouvrir le bal, fermez les yeux, et rappelez-vous l'époque où quatre gamins de Manchester ont réussi à faire croire à toute une génération que la mélancolie pouvait être la plus belle chose au monde. Une note finale indiscutable : 5 / 5.

a lil bit short, but it's an amazing albom

The Smiths is ALWAYS a 5 stars. I had this one in vinyl so I listened to it on my vinyl deck/turntable.

Наконец-то альбом, которому я могу поставить пять звёзд. Одна из моих самых любимых пластинок. Настоящий шедевр

Inversely proportional to Morrissey’s twattery

Morrissey is the Salvador Dali of music, a contrarian fascist whose work is admired in spite of his worldview. The difference is The Smiths had Johnny Marr to thank for the brilliant melodies. Morrissey wrote some cracking lyrics and performed brilliantly on some tracks, but fucking ruined others. This is a fucking brilliant album. But I still hate Morrissey.

Banger.

Now see, this is where I get really hypocritical with this project. Are there individual songs I would add to my library and therefore influence my rating? Well, no. Because this album is already in my library. Is Morrissey a huge asshole? No doubt. But this album and a few others from the same time period had a huge effect on my musical tastes that stay on to this day. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go sit somewhere and look moody. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

15 year old me would never forgive me if I gave this less than 5 stars. Nearly 20 years after hearing it for the first time this still holds up as an incredible work of art. Lyrics that range from hilarious (Frankly Mr Shankly, Bigmouth Strikes Again) to the equivalent of a sucker punch to the heart (I Know It's Over, There is a Light That Never Goes Out) to hard to decipher but still pretty cool (The Queen is Dead). The instrumentation is of course second to none. Johnny Marr one of the best musical writers out there. I feel the since Andy Rourke has died I have appreciated his bass playing more, the interplay with Marr's guitar(s) is excellent. The best band of the 80s bar none.

Amazingly untouchable.

Insane peak

I feel like this somehow sounds even better now that she is

Beautifully weird and dark record. An all time classic

It's interesting listening to this album knowing how much friction there is now between the previous bandmates. Given the amount of bands that have had this happen, it makes you wonder if that contributes to these amazing albums. The combination of music and Morrisey's crooning made for some of the most memorable, timeless songs. My teenager and I both sing along to Bigmouth Strikes Again.

Mükemmel albüm inanılmaz vokaller

WHAT ARE THE ODDS?! I just got my last Morrissey album and now I get my last Smiths album? HOW?! I can't believe this! Actually insane coincidence right there. Now, I may not have cared about that Morrissey album from yesterday, like, at all, but The Queen Is Dead? Fuck, this album is good. Really good, actually. This thing is phenomenal. Listening to this so soon after a Morrissey solo album really made me realize just how talented the instrumentalists of the Smiths really are. Like, Morrissey is still an excellent singer and occasionally an excellent lyricist, especially on The Queen Is Dead, but I really did miss the other Smiths. Johnny Marr's musical compositions on here are some of the finest of his whole career. This album has really made me realize just how underrated of a bassist Andy Rourke is. His basslines are some of my favorite parts of many of these songs. Mike Joyce's drumming also gets its time to shine on here, which is great! This album really is just every member of the Smiths at their absolute best in every conceivable way. And that's not even getting into the songs themselves, which are some of the best in the band's discography. The title track is a cool opener. This is one of those points where Mike Joyce's drumming really shines. It's pretty awesome, if you ask me. "I Know It's Over" has some of Morrissey's best vocal work laid over one of the band's loveliest instrumentals. "Cemetry Gates" does an amazing job contrasting a darker lyrical theme with an upbeat sound. "Bigmouth Strikes Again" and "The Boy with the Thorn In His Side" are just really great in general. These were the only two singles released around the time of the album's release and I can see why. But of course, there is still one other single for the album that actually wasn't released as a single until 1992. Quite frankly, I can't believe it wasn't released as a single sooner, because it is easily the best song on the album. That song, of course, is "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out." I don't say this lightly or hesitantly, so believe me when I say that this is one of the greatest songs ever written. The gorgeous musical composition is highlighted wonderfully by the strings starting in the first chorus, though the song already hooks you with the band's standard instruments. The writing has some of the heaviest-hitting lines I've heard in a love song. There's something so simple yet so powerful about a line like "To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die" that can relate to just about anyone. These lines are made all the more emotional by Morrissey's outstanding vocal performance. It really is a perfect song. As for the album? It's not quite perfect, but it's pretty close. Everything here just works, and I have no problems calling this the best Smiths album and the best album that Morrissey ever had a hand in making. It's a classic for a reason, okay? 5/5.

My first experience with the smiths although I’ve known of them for a long long time. I knew I was going to like this given all the other bands I like that reference the smiths and the people whose global music tastes align with my own but holy smokes it was great. That second last track was the high point for me and if you know what I love in an album it’s a penultimate track high point.

Before seeing this album today, I was thinking about what I would say about The Smiths when one of their albums came up. The title track is one of the all time best opening tracks on any album, with, perhaps the funniest line ever in a song: "She says, 'Eh, I know you and you cannot sing.'/ I said, 'That's nothing you should hear me play piano.'" It gets me every time. Morrissey took his gift for sardonic lyricism, and his inimitable vocal style and decided to become a world class crank in his old age. While his lyrics capture the maudlin misanthropy of many a youth, Morrissey has chosen to not grow up. But in not growing up, he's not an athlete failing to realize the game has passed him by, but a poet obsessed with holding everyone in judgment of not being worthy of his time or consideration. He judges everyone for failing to live up to his standards, without acknowledging that the problem is him. But, Johnny Marr. Johny Marr. Has there ever been a guitar player with a better sense of melody? His chord changes are exquisite: so understated, so flash-less and so in service to the songs. The music of these songs is where the magic starts. The lyrics make the music come alive and make the Smiths one of the most idiosyncratic bands ever.

Cemetery Gates, Frankly Mr Shankly, Big Mouth Strikes Again, There is A Light That Never Goes Out 🌟

Oh good another one. This is my favourite of theirs. Again it’s got a very British tongue in cheek music hall feel which is tempered by the beauty of There is a Light that Never Goes Out - in my opinion their best song. Wonderful album.

the smiths is my favorite

Probably the best album from the Smiths, absute classic

#188/1001 🇬🇧🟩 This record blows me away just as much as the first time i heard it 35 years ago. Undoubtedly in my top 10 of all time. This is the perfect album in my eyes, both musically and lyrically. Sadness, humour, drama and nostalgia despite stiĺl sounding fresh and urgent now. Best Tracks: The Queen is Dead, I Know its Over, Cemetery Gates, Bigmouth Strikes Again, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out.

Exceptional album. Perfect 10/10

Charming, love-sick, dramatic, whip-smart, romantic, just silly; The Smiths contained multitudes. This is their defining moment. From front to back, The Queen is Dead is incredibly consistent in how good it is. This is where you start with The Smiths. The marriage of Johnny Marr's jangly guitar to Morrissey's silky voice and dramatic lyrics of love and longing will forever strike a chord with anyone who has ever yearned for another person, or has experienced being an awkward teenager. The music is very much post-punk, but with dreamy qualities, vaguely funky tendencies, and somehow matches and, yet, defies, the dramatic melancholy of Morrissey

morrissey is such a terrible person it’s too bad that has 20-50 amazing songs

The Smiths are usually talked about in terms of Morrisey's lyrics, performance, and vocals and of Marr's excellence on lead guitar. However, this album again reminded me of the brilliant rhythm section with Andy Rourke (RIP) on bass and Mike Joyce on drums. That holds it all together so well. Flashes of post punk on here added to the jangly indie guitar rock. This is a possible desert island top 10 album for me. 10 perfect songs combining humour, despair, absurdity, violence and everything in between here coming in at the ideal album length of around 37 minutes. 5 stars.

Alright, I got an album that I’ve already acquainted myself with. Going in, I’d already listened to this whole album and I definitely enjoyed it, and after doing my re-listen, my opinion on this album has not changed, I still believe it to be one of the best alternative rock albums of the 80s. A lot of it comes down to Morrissey’s lyrics and delivery. Even though the guy is a huge prick and I don’t condone any of the nasty stuff he’s said, his songwriting on this album is one of its strongest assets. The range of emotions the songs go through is aided by his lyrics, as they can go from being melancholy on songs like I Know It’s Over, to self deprecating on songs like Bigmouth Strikes Again, both of which are standout tracks. The other main appeal of this album is Johnny Marr’s guitar playing, which is unlike any other band of this time. It really helps songs like There Is A Light That Never Goes Out or Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others shine, but in different ways, in the former, he uses a lot of shimmery chords, while the latter utilizes a cool riff. Although these two really make the album shine, the rest of the band have their moments, such as the drum fill that opens the title track. Overall, this is definitely one of the great new wave/alternative rock albums of the 80s, and I would highly recommend checking it out.

Siitä ei ole vielä viikkoakaan, kun kuuntelin The Smithsiä viimeksi tämän haasteen merkeissä. The Queen is Dead on yhtyeen magnum opus ja se mainitaan syystäkin usein, kun listataan kaikkien aikojen parhaimpia ja merkittävimpiä musiikkilevyjä. Kymmenestä kappaleesta kaikki paitsi Never Had No One Ever ja Vicar in a Tutu kuuluvat bändin parhaimpiin, eikä noissa kahdessa mainitsemassani kappaleessa mitään hävettävää ole. Myös "track list" on järjestetty hyvin, eikä kuuntelijan mielenkiinto pääse lopahtamaan missään vaiheessa. Morrisseyn lyriikat vaihtelevat murheellisesta ja romanttisesta haikailusta piikikkääseen ivaan, jonka kohteeksi ovat joutuneet ainakin Englannin kuningasperhe ja levy-yhtiön johtoporras. Myöskin Johnny Marr tarjoaa parasta osaamistaan helisevine kitaroineen, eikä sovi unohtaa basisti Andy Rourken ja rumpali Mike Joycen tärkeää panosta.

Despite the controversy surrounding their former lead singer these days, I must say that some of the most witty lyrics and coolest guitar riffs I’ve heard in a while come from this album. The second five star album for me on this project, and one I hadn’t heard prior!

Love it!

genuinely might not be possible for me to do justice to how much Johnny Marr's work on this album opened up my world. the guitar break on "Frankly Mr. Shankly" is transportive and magical. and yet the MVP of the album might be Andy Rourke! "Cemetry Gates" is so gorgeous and pretty. it makes it omega embarrassing that this album is like ground zero for a certain strain of male manipulator but that's my cross to bear i guess. "Bigmouth Strikes Again" is funny as hell.

A true classic

Very good.

Fantastic. Nearly flawless.

RIP the Queen dude

had it in the background so not a thorough listen, but i did enjoy it

Great

The odd track that doesn't quite do it. But when it works, it's majestic. Morrissey's soaring tenor and brilliant (never bettered by him?) lyrics rise gloriously above Marr's beautiful guitar. A generational band. 5*

An all time classic. So much variety on here - so many classics. Morrissey’s finest moment

Every country has their Legião Urbana.

One of the easiest fives. No words, pure art.

terrible time to listen to i know its over. still, one of the greatest ones.

Yeah, i love the smiths 🥰 and all… But i don’t think it’s a flawless record. Love the sound, and i have a shitty memory in general, but there’s no way in hell I fould ever forget There’s a light that never goes out. It’s just an emotional connection. So low 5

(Light 9/10) Very good indeed. The instrumentals all rock in their own jangly way, and Morrisey actually delivers wonderful lyricism and snarky humor mixed with tasteful pop and rock melodies. It's pretty fantastic.

it took me a long time to warm to the smiths. i first came to morrissey with "you are the quarry". push to shove, i might prefer his solo work over the smiths, but that's a different discussion. this album is great. the guitar playing, bass and drums are tight. morrissey is a depressed, crooning bitch, which is when he's at his best, to his own detriment as he has made a career of insipid hot takes for the media he claims to abhor. some of the best tunes of their careers: "i know it's over", "bigmouth strikes again", "the boy with the thorn in his side", "there is a light that never goes out". perfect tunes.

The Queen Is Dead es una obra de arte atemporal del rock alternativo y la cumbre indiscutible del catálogo de Manchester, un disco que ha envejecido bien como el retrato definitivo de la melancolía urbana. Desde una perspectiva formal, el diseño de ensamble es una genialidad absoluta; las guitarras tintineantes, el bajo melódico y las percusiones se entretejen muy bien bajo una producción nítida que dota al álbum de una claridad instrumental brillante y un dinamismo contagioso. El viaje sonoro está marcado por una total nostalgia que se vuelve inmediata al encontrarse con tracks inolvidables como el ingenio rítmico de "Bigmouth Strikes Again" y la belleza trágica de "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out". La interpretación vocal de Morrissey, en perfecta simbiosis con la arquitectura sónica de Johnny Marr, proyecta una fuerza y calidez que transmiten autenticidad desarmante, otorgando a la banda una autoridad superior para cantar desde el margen. Bajo su superficie de pop sofisticado y humor negro, el disco opera como un potente llamado a la conciencia sobre la alienación social y el desamor; un trabajo profundamente humano, conmovedor, crudo y real cuya impecable sensación de paz y fluidez rítmica lo vuelve extraordinario para múltiples usos diarios, destacando para acompañar el ejercicio, las caminatas o como fondo idóneo para el trabajo creativo.

It does not feature the greatest tracks by The Smiths “This Charming Man”, “Panic”, “Shoplifters” and “How Soon Is Now” it is however their greatest album!

Amazing but didn't that day's vibe

Okay I didn’t listen. But obviously this is an incredible album

This is by far my favorite Smiths album. Usually The Smiths give me a large amount of listening fatigue but this album never gets dull. Starting off somber with The Queen Is Dead and instantly launching into Frankly Mr. Shankly is an incredible tone shift. This album is the best representation of The Smiths that there is. Near perfection, 4.75 (5) stars.

So, crazy thing happened to me on the way to the stereo… I have five of these projects running. I know. That’s a lot. Do I really want to listen to 5 albums a day? Well, not on weekends. But on the average workaday, yep, absolutely. This is album 60 on my “main” project. So I have been at this for about two months. Two projects running 7 days a week. The other three are weekdays only. Now, I have had albums come up twice fairly frequently, as one might imagine. But even so, I think I have covered about 1/5 of the book so far, which isn’t bad for two months listening! Also, the double albums have been good opportunities to re-listen and re-evaluate. I HAVE changed my rating a couple of times. I really haven’t had to re-listen to something I hated, yet, so… we’ll see. The only time I didn’t re-listen was Ella Fitzgerald doing the whole damn Gershwin song book. Sorry, but my feeling on that was, did it once, did it forever. Maybe I will do it again… next year. Definitely not tomorrow. Anyway… Album 60 and this is the first time an album has come up 3 times. No other Smiths, yet. Crazy. One solo Morrissey. There are four (4) of those and… I. Don’t. Look. Forward. That one offering was pretty painful. But this right here is an example of where my rating changed. First time I gave it a 4. Really that because historically I have felt the earlier albums were better. The second time, I had been listening to a lot more of the albums on the list and, well, I love this album. Truth. So it got a 5. Today, third! Time through for the project- the 5 stands. Marr is such a genius! Frankly Mr. Shankly, I Know it’s Over, Bigmouth Strikes Again, There is a Light, Some Girls - all these work the way they do because of HIS music. Without his music, Morrissey’s lyrics, their irony and biting humor would be flat. How do I know? Listen to his solo work. We have ample opportunity. 5 Boolean: True

You can listen to this album and enjoy most of it. That should earn it a five on this list of albums, which are generally horrible. But I’m writing it against all albums so for listenability and fine traditional English rock songs that focus on English life.

I love the smiths

Love this wlbum

Probably the most even of the Smiths LPs. Humorous and morose, often at the same time, Morrissey and Marr combine forces to make the soundtrack to your dreary little life. Peak 80s English culture. 5 double decker busses.

"im a morrissey hater. always have been. cant stand him. the only thing i could ever get into was like the 4 smiths records and the first 3 solo records + some non album singles and a handful of songs after that and also bona drag but that's it. (...) cant give him more than 80 all time classics"

On my multiple projects this is the second time this album has come up. The first time I gave it a 4. It was at the beginning of my engagement with this exercise, and I did so because I don’t think it’s their best. Now, after many albums and a solo work by Morrissey that I have found out is one of FOUR (4)… yeah, this gets a 5. It’s awesome. All the way through. The Smiths were awesome. Morrissey is f*ing almost unbearable without Marr. It’s amazing to me. The team of those two men was MAGIC. No one can convince me otherwise. Marr is in top form here. His arrangements are MASTERFUL- end to end. The first three songs are a powerhouse that work because Morrissey’s biting lyrics are highlighted so well by Marr. And then two songs that I have always adored, from the very first time I heard them, Bigmouth Strikes Again and Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others- ONLY work because of Marr’s incredible innovation. Without the music both songs are silly at best and possibly annoying. 5- Love The Smiths/ Morrissey can stick it Boolean: TRUE- in fact I plan on listening to it many more times before I die

she’s dead indeed…

Best album ever

(100/100)

I will pick Tne Smiths over Morrissey's solo work 100% of the time and this is my favorite Smiths album.

What an opener song. 6 minutes to throw you in you almost feel like yourve already been listening for 30min - in a very good way - you just zone right in vibing.

This was the second album I ever bought with my own money. I think I heard Bigmouth on CFNY, which clinched the deal. A lot of lawn mowing went into this. Still own the wax. And ya know what? It's still great. Morrissey the twat can get fucked. But to this day I cannot for the life of me figure out what the hell Marr did on those jangly guitars. It's like he listened to Chet Atkins and thought 'fuck I can make this alternative'. I still to this day can't play half the licks on this album, but that may say more about my shite guitar skills. Anyhow, nostalgia alone makes this five stars. I have a fantasy about doing Smiths karaoke, which would be worst case scenario for all involved.

A great album with some really interesting production work and fantastic hooks. It is so melancholy and really captures the feeling of the decade.

I’ll need time to truly justify this 5, but I feel like it’s the right choice. I love the lyrics, they can be kind of stupid, kind of smart, kind of funny, and Morissey’s performance sells it perfectly, even if he’s not the best singer ever. There’s not a skip here, and I’m sure I’ll be able to talk about and appreciate the smaller and better details that make me love this album as time goes on.

i already had this on my list, actually! very good album, very groovy, i like his voice alot. i recognised bigmouth strikes again and there is a light that never goes out. i liked it.

Peak

10/10

love the smiths!!!❤️

The best Smiths album. The perfect fusion of Marr’s jangly and unique guitar playing and Morrissey’s brilliantly ironic lyrics and vocalizations.

The Queen is dead, boys - and it's so lonely on a limb! Oh mother! I can feel! The soil falling over my head! And if a double decker bus, crashes into us - to die by your side, is such a heavenly way to die! This album is full of all-timers. I love it. Probably my favorite Smiths album front to back? "Some Girls are Bigger Than Others" is an unfortunate closer, but man - this record is just stacked with great songs. FIVE STARS

Orgasmo em 40 minutos, masterpiece

I love The Smiths

Classic album full of great lyrics, guitar work and bass playing. There is a light… is a particularly good song.

Anyone who doesn't have a core memory with There Is a Light That Never Goes Out playing should make one. I'd give this record six stars if I could.

Very unique and recognisable. May be their best album. Fav track: „I know it’s over“. Low 5 but still

I loved this album in high school and still love it now.

Absolutely brilliant. Easy 5. Also glad that I got to see Johnny Marr a few years back, but not Morrissey. Dizzy Whore, 1804.

The Boy With The Thorn In His Side and There Is a Light That Never Goes Out would get this five stars on their own.

Yeah, its like one of the best albums ever. Fun fact, had my first threesome listening to this on vinyl. Morrisey is a dickhead, but this shit is stacked. Standout Tracks: The Queen is Dead, I Know Its Over, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out 4.7

Minus one star for Morrissey being a tool, which brings it down from 6/5 to 5/5

Good album only listen through a few times but definitely an album I’d come back to.

This album is an absolute work of art that stands out from anything else Morrissey or The Smiths have ever done. The over-the-top sardonic vocals/lyrics really hit when they're backed by actual incredible guitar and songwriting.

i have listened to this album a bunch. i think it's the smiths at their best. very dense with songs that are just weird and cool and stupid and beautiful. i have something lovely to say about pretty much every track. favorite song is I Know It's Over

what an album to receive on Mother's Day. excellent, unfortunately.

Life is very long When you're lonely

-mwah. one of the greatest -even before listening, just looking at the tracklist, fills me with so much emotion. -"the queen is dead" is an immortal opening track, gets overshadowed by the other tunes on this album, but man is it good. "i was shocked and shamed to discover that i'm the 18th pale descendant of some old queen or another" + "love and law and poverty / these are the things that kill me". brilliant to kick open the door to the album with an overtly political song (the queen is dead, boys!) and still end the song on the melancholy note of "life is very long when you're lonely" UGH!!! kills me. -impossible for me to listen to this album without hanging onto every word morrissey sings. -"frankly mr shankly" is such a fun song. beautiful lyricism. "i want to catch something that i might be ashamed of" it's life affirming! ending on a "uhh give us money!" he's funny! -"i know it's over" what is there to say even. one of the most beautiful songs ever written. at times painfully soft and gentle, at times feels like getting punched in the gut, at times an unforgiving look in the mirror, at times feels like someone indulging his cruel impulses. but then we get to "it's so easy to laugh, it's so easy to hate / it takes guts to be gentle and kind / over and over and over" ohhh i know i'm gonna be repeating myself dumbly a lot here but it's so beautiful and so tender hearted. -"never had no one ever" just one thing after the other innit. "when you walk without ease / on these streets where you were raised / i had a really bad dream / it lasted twenty years, seven months, and twenty seven days". morrissey's vocals are incredible on this one. the instrumental part at the end feels like being shot off into the stratosphere. always feeling the tweet that's like morrissey? i hate that guy! can't stand him! can't give him more than 80 all time classics! -albums that make u say man i love music! i love music more than anything else on the planet! i'm glad i'm not overreacting! -"cemetry gates" is a popular smiths song that i don't even like that much but the relief after being stabbed repeatedly by "i know it's over" + "never had no one ever" is very needed. also another funny song by known plagiarist morrissey. for a long time i thought he sang "weird lover wilde" which i thought was cool and cute but of course because this is steven morrissey he was in fact fatshaming oscar wilde. -"bigmouth strikes again" WHAT is there to say even. i didn't intend to go through this track by track but you know. this one just makes u wanna get up and dance, doesn't it. people love saying morrissey didn't know how joan of arc felt but i strongly disagree, i think if ANYONE alive knows how joan of arc felt it would actually be him. i'm half joking but not really. johnny marr's playing on this is some of the best. -i think i remember liam gallagher saying "the boy with the thorn in his side" is his favourite smiths song... very loveable imo. -can't talk about "there is a light that never goes out" because words feel insufficient. just know that it's one of my favourite songs ever written, one of the saddest, one of the most beautiful, one of the gentlest. -i love "some girls are bigger than others" a lot. the music fading in and out at the beginning ... the guitar (one of the best smiths riffs imo, and that's saying something) ... the lyrics get memed a lot but i think it's perfect to end this album on a somewhat lighthearted song.

Iconic (obligatory fuck Morrissey!)

I'll be honest, the first time I heard this album was on a long car ride where I fell asleep in the backseat...I have no idea how because this is great. I still love listening to the Smiths, but in a yearning way, in a "I like seeing morrisey miserable" kind of way.

I said I love The Smiths.

Currently listening to this with a huge existential crisis as I finish a final project. 10/10 will revisit again

Yes, I do listen to the Smiths. But i do not wear a blouse :) Never had no one ever, I know it’s over and bigmouth strikes again were the top 3, but there were many other very good tracks, surprising even that it had a big percentage of the album I enjoyed. Win through consistency

I mean cmon

One of the best albums ever

I would give this a 5 just for "Bigmouth Strikes Again," which I am singing along with as I type this. As I said about the other Smiths record I reviewed here, I love the contrast between the superb music and the clever, often sarcastic lyrics. I don't like all of their stuff equally, but this is another 5-star album.

One of the best albums of the 1980s. Like it ends with a one-two punch of "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" into "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others". Honestly brilliant.

Love

First I was thinking of a 3. Than I was thinking of a 4. But when "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" played, I have to give it a 5.

Morrissey said the Queen was dead and then she died a mere 30 something years later. Prophetic. The Simpsons could never. There’s some quite funny lyrics and also some peak sad boi-ness. And it’s all catchy!

I listened to this album 2 songs at a time over a few hours because morrissey can get boring after a while. But there were no fillers on here; nothing that i would consider to be subpar. Which is why I’m giving The Queen Is Dead 5 stars.

Classic, not a every day listen for me but I must appreciate it’s greatness. One of the best albums of all time.

Apesar do Morrissey ser um cuzão, ele tem uma voz angelical. O baixo é sacanagem e eu queria muito saber qual o pedal que usam pra guitarra fazer esse som absurdo.

Fabulous album - love it, thx !

The funnest, dark songs ever. I sang along to most of these

I love The Smiths. I said I love The Smiths.

I already know I’m gonna give the suburbs by arcade fire a 5/5, so I’m not gonna be a hypocrite and dock Morrissey here even though he’s obviously a dick. For better or worse, I am Zooey Deschanel from 500 Days Of Summer, I just hope I’m less twee about it. If this wasn’t a 5 star album already, the Kieran Culkin bus meme would put it straight over the edge.

Keats and Yates are on your side is such an amazing line I need to listen to this several more times

I was surprised to find that I quite liked this. This is third Smiths album I've encountered, I liked one and hated one. There is something to be said for the partnership that Marr and Morrisey have. It is melancholic but punctuated with moments of light.

Morrissey deserves praise as the ultimate pretentious douchebag. No one else does it like The Smiths. Not a weak song on here, flys by. The opening bass pluck of Cemetry Gates might be the apex of recorded music history.

SUCH A FUCKING BANGER I LOVE IT MATE

An album that I've only come to in the last decade and has become one of my most listened to albums since. The band are at the height of their powers here.. although given their entire output spanned just 4 years you could argue that the whole lot is peak! Morrissey has never sounded better vocally, lyrically it's full of the acerbic wit mixed with the melancholy that he's known for, whilst Marr brings a musical vitality, full of hooks and memorable moments, all held down by a fantastic rhythm section; special shout out to Andy Rourke whose prominent basslines often form the backbone of these songs. Literally lightning in a bottle!

Through everything that has happened outside of the band and with the members, this album completely holds up and still gets to me. It's a culmination of precision and abandon, of melodrama and careful craft. Gladiolas for everyone!

In addition to the world-beating single “How Soon is Now?”, this is the Smiths release to play to persuade anyone who harbors any doubts about the band and its place in the English pop/alternative rock canons. Sure, Morrissey was always an acquired taste and a self-absorbed drama queen (let’s leave aside his more recent decline into far-right politics), but The Queen is Dead proves he was an incredible lyricist and vocalist with a poetic sense of phrasing, and the band isn’t bad either. The death of Andy Rourke a few years ago has made me re-appreciate his sturdy bass playing, while no one needs convincing of Johnny Marr’s talent on guitar. So many bangers on this, one of my top 10 albums of the ‘80s.

I hate you Morrissey.

Great album. Lots of great songs. Probably Smiths best.

Peak album. Thought i wouldn't like it but now every song is in my liked songs.

if sad why so catchy? morrisey has a voice that exudes a deep sadness. also way too short, i accidentally listened to it twice thinking i hadn’t finished it — it goes by quick (that’s a good thing). i know it’s over!!!!

Jangling all the way to deep depression and liking it

Morrissey is still a twat but this is still good music. High 4

Probably their most popular album, possibly their best. I think I prefer their self-entitled album "The Smiths". This is still a great one none-the-less.

Perfect.

I love all the songs in this album so so so very much. Anyways "If you're so funny, then why're you on your own tonight If you're so clever, then why're you on your own tonight If you're so very entertaining, then why're you on your own tonight If you're so very good-looking, why do you sleep alone tonight I know Because tonight is just like any other night." ...I think that says all I need to say.

Obras maestra

Absolutely iconic. Every song is unique, the vocals and lyrics are phenomenal, and the production quality top notch - I love how the songs fade out. This is an all time album for me.

I came to the Smiths later than most of my friends, and a long time after I first heard all of the records (I was in high school when this album came out). Was really the early 2000s before I realized their genius and also how much subtle humor is behind all of the lyrics. The tongue-in-cheek aspect was missed by a lot of fans and detractors alike at the time. For all of his shittyness now, Morrissey was a brilliant and unique lyricist. Marr is the kind of guitar hero I sought in the 80s, I just found Peter Buck first. Anyway this is the Smiths' masterpiece. Now I know how Joan of Arc felt!

Listening to this LP makes me very grateful for Jonny Marr... and very angry at Morrissey being such an arse. It is lyrically beuatiful, consistent yet with each track has having its own sheen.

Morissey is annoying but his band rocks

A lot of hits on this one

gran banda, exelente disco

I love bigmouth strikes again, and theres a light that never goes otu

Excelente

Este álbum no es algo feliz... pero es algo real. No es para todos... pero si conectas, te marca.

Amazing piece of music. 9/10

A master class in sharp witty lyricism and vocal delivery, Morrissey may be a bit of a twat these days (maybe he always was) but this is his and The Smiths’ finest hour (well, 37 mins). Johnny Marr’s melodic and jangly guitars are laden full of hooks, and the album moves effortlessly from being melodramatic and down beat, almost comedically so, to funny and whimsical, whilst making room for more serious endeavours. There are so many great songs here, easily 4 of my favourite Smiths songs live here, including the exceptional ‘The Boy with the Thorn in His Side’ which I somehow almost forget how much I love it every time I return.

Morrisey's obviously a real cunt but I won't let him take away my enjoyment of this album which was quite formative for me.

:) Interesting

I didn’t know music could sound this British

One of my absolute favourite albums of all time - an easy six out of five! Plenty of songs that would individually make any album a 5*. Has addictive riffs, a driving rhythm section (oh those bass lines) and fantastic, sometimes absurd, lyrics. All that with Moz' great vocals. More importantly than all of that though is the emotional appeal of this album. How not to be moved by "I know it's over"? Yeah, I love this album.

I don't know when Morrissey's line of credit is going to run out - how many more canceled shows or cancel-able comments he can bear before everyone is just finally done with him. After listening to this gem of an album once again - with its throbbing rhythm section (the title track), its endless supply of lyrical bon mots ("Cemetry Gates" alone could feed families), Johnny Marr's Platonic ideal of lead playing that manages to be muscular and angular without any hint of cock-rockery ("Bigmouth Strikes Again"), the best coming-out song this side of disco ("The Boy with the Thorn in His Side," and I don't care how many times Morrissey lies about its meaning), and an eleven o'clock number for every yearning kid of any age ("There Is a Light That Never Goes Out") - I suspect he'll keep getting away with it forever. What a bastard.

Incredible iconic British album, catchy instrumentation and choruses, album sounds complete with no weak links. “the greatest album to have ever existed, I did this all by myself and I’m so amazing, the best to ever do it” - Morrisey probably

Listened at home. Happened to get two Smiths albums within a week of each other. This is one of my favourite albums of all time and was so pleased to see it here. It trades the blatant political messages of Meat is Murder for Morrissey's trademark bitterness and makes for a much more cohesive and listenable experience. Marr's compositional prowess really shines here making this the most depressing album you want to dance to you've ever heard. Absolutely love it.

Fucking morrissey

I still am a big fan of the Smiths, despite all of Morrissey's bullshit. Johnny Marr's guitar playing is unparalleled and shines throughout this album. Favorites: Cemetry Gates, Bigmouth Strikes Again (the guitar riff is kick-ass), The Boy With the Thorn in His Side, There Is a Light That Never Goes Out Would I listen to it again: Yes

Sublime pop with razor sharp lyrics. Great song follows great song. Deserved of its consideration as a classic.

Well, shit (10/10, 5/5 on this scale)

Exceptional album. Mildly dated with some of the music, but only slightly. The vocals especially are very 80s, but are still great. Lyrically, there are several memorable moments even after only one listen.

This was my first time listening to the entire album in order. It’s somehow simultaneously bright and melancholic. Perfectly encapsulating 80s nostalgia - even for someone that didn’t live it.

Very cool

The defining Smiths album. Odd that it should stand so separate from the Smiths’ body of work given it lacks the popular cut through of tracks like This Charming Man or Stop Me. But instead, The Queen Is Dead offers The Smiths at their most focused. This is a perfect album but for one slight misstep. The progression from I Know It’s Over to Never Had No One Ever is just too much maudlin melodrama even for a Smiths album. Other than that, it’s faultless. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Забавно, предыдущий альбом был от Radiohead. Как говорится "Сынку, тебя мы послушали, дай теперь батя скажет своё слово". Эх, как я люблю The Smiths и этот альбом, безусловно, не исключение. Как я и говорил в предыдущем обзоре, вот чем работа The Queen Is Dead выгодно отличается от того же Hail To The Thief от Йорка. Разность чувств выражающаяся и в аранжировках и в темах которые затрагивает Моррисси. Горько-сладкие, ироничные, грустные и печальные мелодии. Вот что я ценю, в "альбомах под которых прикольно погрустить". Многогранность. I Know It's Over и, конечно, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, один из главных шедевров этой группы. Классика, потрясающий альбом.

The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead (1986) Вывод: сочетание меланхолии, иронии и британской повседневности; альбом как личное и одновременно культурное высказывание. В The Queen Is Dead личные эмоции неожиданно превращаются в довольно точное наблюдение за окружающим миром. В песнях много одиночества, самоиронии и тихого раздражения по отношению к социальной реальности. Но всё это подаётся не как трагедия, а скорее как остроумный и иногда почти литературный комментарий. Музыкально альбом кажется удивительно лёгким. Гитара Джонни Марра звучит чисто и мелодично, часто почти воздушно. В этих партиях чувствуется влияние британского попа 60-х, но подано оно гораздо мягче и современнее. Музыка движется легко и ритмично, иногда почти танцевально, даже когда настроение песен остаётся меланхоличным. Именно это сочетание для меня делает альбом таким интересным: довольно грустные или саркастические тексты существуют внутри светлой и мелодичной музыки. В результате возникает особое ощущение - не столько драматичное, сколько задумчивое и немного ироничное. Вокал Моррисси играет здесь ключевую роль. Он поёт так, будто рассказывает личные наблюдения или небольшие истории. Его интонации часто звучат одновременно ранимо и насмешливо. Из-за этого песни воспринимаются почти как короткие монологи человека, который внимательно смотрит на окружающий мир и не совсем в нём вписывается. Отдельно для меня работает атмосфера альбома. В нём чувствуется очень конкретная британская культурная среда: серые города, скука повседневной жизни, странные социальные правила и тихий протест против них.

My favorite album by one of my favorite bands. One of the best openers in album history. I know I'll be on an island for this one and I don't care. Johnny Marr is my god.

A lot of listener's comments focus on a shared hatred of Morrissey. While I get it, I still love their music. If you're new to The Smiths this is a great album to start with. Favorite songs: The Queen Is Dead, I Know It's Over, Bigmouth Strikes Again, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

Revolutionary.

I fucking hate Morrissey so much, but god this album is amazing. Simply some of the most beautiful music ever made is on this album, it really is a unique experience like no other. Heartfelt vocals, killer guitar playing, and production that's the perfect level of sloppy to have charm without taking away from the music.

The Smiths están en mi top 3 de bandas favoritas. Con esto creo que ya lo digo casi todo. Para mí, todos sus discos son un 10, así que no voy a ser muy objetivo. Como no me cabe aquí todo lo que diría del álbum, me limito a señalar el estado de gracia compositivo del dúo Morrisey-Marr que ha llevado al mismo a ser considerado un disco clave en la historia del rock. Pon la canción que quieras, que no defrauda.

eu tenho um problemão com the smiths, acho que eh uma das bandas da minha vida. posso ficar anos sem escutar, mas sempre que eu escuto eu fico obcecado de novo e acabou ouvindo TUDO deles. eh engraçado como certas bandas/músicas não somem do sistema não, pode tocar onde for que cê vai saber cantar e vai dançar (ou chorar) como se não houvesse amanhã. btw eu gosto DEMAIS das linhas de baixo e guitarrinhas deles. e acho que aqui tá todo mundo no TOP OF THEIR GAME, tanto nas letras quanto nos instrumentos. atualmente, não eh meu preferido deles não, pq falta guitarrinha dançante, mas acho que eles tão mto sincronizados aqui pqp. dito isso, acho muito triste o acidente fatal que o morrissey teve, tão novo... não eh do album, MAS: tenho uma lembrança curiosa de estar num bar perto da ufmg, na minha segunda semana de curso, com 4 pessoas (que hoje em dia eu nem sou amigo mais) e colocarem "how soon is now" na jukebox. lembro de me sentir bem, apesar de tudo. em sequência, tomei 2 doses de cachaça e cantei bastante I AM HUMAAAAAAAN AND I NEED TO BE LOOOOOOOOOVED com desconhecidos. nunca mais voltei nesse boteco.

CLASSIC tracks. BANGER tracks. God. The Smiths, of course, have a reputation for being mopey, angsty, sullen, depress-ing/-ive, etc., and I get it, I really do, I know all those moody lyrics well enough to sing along to every one of these songs, but personally I'll never be able to listen to the jangle of the guitar on this record without breaking into a grin. (And some of the lyrics really ARE quite funny, besides..!) Incredible, incredible, INCREDIBLE work...

No question, Morrissey is overrepresented on this list. Not much doubt, he is a complicated figure, almost certainly a dick, very possibly racist. I might think more about that for his solo work, and expect to run out of patience by the time I finish. But this is the first Smiths or Morrissey album I've gotten and it is really good. I love Marr's guitar. It's brief enough that Morrissey's singing doesn't wear out its welcome, and matches the lyrics and vibes really well. For me, this is moody in a good way. It sounds great. Identifiably an 80's album, but missing the synthy artificiality of most 80's pop-rock. No doubt this belongs on the list, borderline on a 101 album list. An exemplar of the genre and era. I think I have to give it 5 stars and accept that it looks controversial on my dashboard. Favs - "The Queen is Dead", "Never had no one never", "Cemetery Gates" no skips though.

this is literally perfect idk what else to say

Love this album

On the shop floor There’s a calendar As obvious as snow As if we didn’t know

I know its over

Fantastic. Male yearning.

Best album ever…..

I can’t believe how much I actually like The Smiths

Ah this is still great. Not listened in decades probably, but singing along with every word and every out of tune note. Seriously good work from the whole band, and the right blend of nastiness and playfulness from the dickhead up front. Loved it

oh my god the absolute goat

When I was at a fair once, there was a stand selling band pins. I took a Bauhaus and Depeche Mode pin and the bloke running it started asking me about other bands I listened to. He insisted this was the greatest album of all time and I NEEDED to hear it. Brought this up at a party a few days later and someone put on the record. A few people were annoyed at the dreary music but I thought it was quite good. I prefer Meat Is Murder but Cemetery Gates and There’s A Light That Never Goes Out easily bring this to five stars.

Obligatory Morrissey is a bellend. Such a classic album though. I still remember hearing this for the first time, I’d been through the cure, Radiohead, and Elliot smith so this seemed like the next logical step in terms of broody teenager music. Listening to it again now I still think it holds up, the unique melodies, the musicality, especially some of the basslines, are awesome. There’s not one song on the album that doesn’t hold its own

One of the classics. Feels like the Smiths fully evolved No wasted space

Een van mijn favorieten. Fijne stem en melodieën, mooie teksten en heel goed gitaarwerk. En vreemde fade-ins en fade-outs? Highlights: I Know It’s Over, Bigmouth Strikes Again, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

Morrissey may be an absolute Pollock but it can't be denied that this is just an outstanding album.

ok we can probably agree that morrissey is a miserable person but this album is so cunt

Probably the only totally essential smiths album, the rest of their best songs are scattered across compilations and albums with lesser tracks. Love the jangly guitar of a lot of the tracks, and lyrically I do think it's all fantastic, very witty My fave tracks are Frankly Mr Shankly, "Cemetry Gates" (sp) and Bigmouth Strikes Again, all songs which happen not to be total downers and are all quite funny. Cemetry Gates is probably my favourite overall There Is a Light is obviously great but it's almost too iconic to highlight. I think they probably should have ended it with that track rather than "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others" which doesn't do much for me really, but they probably weren't thinking too hard about track placement. Something about the way the volume fades out and back in at the start really pisses me off for some reason

One of my all time favorite albums. Hits every emotion perfectly. Sad, funny, angry, the best.

Even though Morrissey's a cunt this is the easiest 5 stars I've given out so far.

Favorite track: I know it’s over

YES YES YES YES YES YES OOOHHHHHHHHH THE FIRST LP I BOUGHT I LOVE THE SMITHS OMGGG BUT FUCK MORRISSEY EEWWW god its such an interesting album: interesting vocals as always, interesting guitar, interesting lyrics. The album cover is so incredibly iconic omggg By far my favorite smiths song is Frankly, Mr Shankly such a vibe. Made my lovee the album. I Know Its Over gave birth to Jeff Buckleys versions and I will be forever thankful for this.

Några riktiga alltimers på denna!

Faktiskt så bra som det blir.

oavsett om det är smiths bästa eller inte så är det här onekligen fruktansvärt bra

Beautiful album, full of great songs and memorable hooks. Morrissey sings at his best here and Johnny Marr made some brilliant hypnotic tunes. There's perhaps a bit of a lull on the start of the second side, but the album starts and ends great. Quite a bit of variety between calm and uptempo songs, ballads and rockers. Great album.

Probably the album I'm most familiar with so far in this project based soley just on the company I keep. Unfortunately I have the extremely lukewarm take of disliking Morrissey the person but being quite fond of the music he's made... But you will not catch me admitting to that in person. Johnny Marr is going crazy on guitar for this whole album, especially Bigmouth Strikes Again oh my god. Vicar in a Tutu is definitely a sleeper hit although definitely a black sheep on this record in terms of its sound. Unfortunately I do really like the Smiths, even though I like their self-titled more than The Queen is Dead

Frankly, my Morrissey bias struck when I had this one proposed. I was about to blindly give it a one star withe the usual f*M*... But then I remembered that The Smiths was not only Morrissey, but also a very capable band, most noticeably one certain Johnny Marr. And luckily, I gave it a spin. Musically the record is simply great. Well produced, well played and arranged. And, the lyrics are surprisingly good and there is not one nuance of the later self-indulgent whiney and political distastefulness of said lyricist. It's all about the deepest loneliness, expressed in deep and true streams of consciousness and even a touch of humour. While I still don't like the overall nature of his voice, the delivery is personal and the phrasing is really really touching in places. Absolutely recommendable. Consistent and, yes, a great record. Apart from that, M. can shove it wherever it's itching. He was once great where he now is a sad flatearther, or whatever.

I never realized how humorous the Smiths were. This is my first time listening to an Album by this artist. I know some of their singles, and 'There is a light that never goes out' is saved to my liked songs on Spotify- from a time when I Shazamed it on a movie 😅 I really enjoyed this.

The whole Smiths discography is really solid with loads of great non album tracks on top of great albums. I think that none of albums alone were quite perfect, but they all are really good and Queen is dead is definitely one of the best. And of course any album that include one of the best pop songs ever ("There is a light...") earns 5/5

really makes you feel the soil falling over your head. 5/5

Beautiful album with some songs having a detached vibe, similar to what I like.

While it's unusual for an entire band to exist just to showcase the guitarist, you really couldn't pick a better one than Johnny Marr, and The Queen is Dead showcases him like none other. Without Johnny Marr and his loose, jangling, texturally rich guitar the 90s would sound entirely different. You can feel an entire new era of rock roiling beneath the surface of this album, dark and emotional and experimental. I...think there was someone else in the band...his name escapes me.

Fuck the Queen, fuck Morrissey, this album rocks. Best Song: There Is a Light that Never Goes Out Rating: 9/10 Stars: 5

This is an all time favorite album for me. I could say so much about why I love this album, from its rollicking bass, jangly guitars, sardonic lyrics, Morrisey’s enigmatic voice, how many of the songs I listen to on a regular basis. But instead, I’ll close with this: “It's so easy to laugh, it's so easy to hate // It takes strength to be gentle and kind.” How can the man who wrote that beautiful lyric go on to say such hateful things?

I know the album before, listened to ut anyways. Love the smiths and the album!!!

Great album

My initial impression of the album was betrayed by my difficulty listening to song lyrics. Reading the lyrics opened up a whole other world to me, one where I saw the album's melancholy, its witty, often dark humor, and a still-poignant criticism of the British society, in its full colors. I can say I'm still not done with this album, and it's exactly what defines a 10/10 for me: something that's not just incredibly well-crafted, but also has lots of layers to it, the layers that entice coming back to the record all over again and make it ever better the more you peel them off.

I can hear the influences the Smiths had on so many bands I love the more I listen to this record.

Bangers abound. You literally can't go wrong with any song on this album. An absolute melodious triumph. Favorite track: Bigmouth Strikes Again

Been waiting, let’s see if it lives up to the hype. It’s beautiful. For what it’s worth I like morrisseys vocal delivery, melodies, most of the lyrics?, but I can not stand him. This is my favorite guitar album from the class so far, Johnny Marr kills it on this one. I don’t know how to explain that I think even if I didn’t hate morrissey I would still hate him with no previous knowledge. This album is pretty perfect honestly. I’m struggling to say much about it because I just wanna shit on Morrissey. Take this 5.

I think the most The Smiths thing I can say about this album is that I get it. It’s Morrissey singing cripplingly sad songs about love lost and words and dirt and pubs and stuff. That’s until you pull it apart and realize that none of it is meant to be taken seriously and the joke is on you. Johnny Marr and the band provide a jangly undercurrent for the one-named-wonder and his painfully self-aware lyrics. The intro to the closing track even fades in and out to start as if they aren’t ready to play the joke on the listener yet. The Smiths hate the aristocracy and can see through the phoniness of your quoted poetry because they have done their research. Their tunes are catchy and fun. They leave you asking yourself, “what made that seem so important?” At the core, they make great music and it’s a joy to listen. Now you need to tell everyone. The Smith are the brilliant barstool poet and you’re lucky enough to post up next to them for a pint. They’re better than you and you know that because they told you so. And you can’t stand it, but they’re right

While I don't agree with Morrissey's political views at all and just don't like him as a person in general, I still can't deny that this is a near perfect album. I have always loved The Smiths and I believe this is their best album. This album is beautiful from start to finish and it never gets old. Stand out songs for me: I know it's over, Frankly, Mr Shankly and There is a light that never goes out

Such a clear peak for the band in every way. Every song is distinct and feels just more meticulously crafted than the last, from Marr's sparkly guitar layers (Boy With a Thorn, There is a Light), to the constant, pumping rhythm of drums and bass (The Queen is Dead, Big Mouth). It sounds like they wanted to prove something to themselves on this one, and they came out with a near perfect album.

vrh. shvatio sam da ne slušam baš čitav album, sada jesam. čak i meni slabije stvari (prva/naslovna, "never had no one ever" i "the boy with the thorn in his side") u stvari su jako dobre, a ostatak je odličan. možda najdraža mi je "cemetry gates", pokušao sam izdvojiti nekoliko najboljih, ali ni ne mogu jer su sve na istoj razini. jebeno

Great album, second to meat is murder only as far as I’m concerned

Ooh I love The Smiths! This album is one of their best. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out was the first Smiths song I ever heard.

masterpiece, sometimes I think I. like one of their other albums more. Though ultimately this is just magnificent

ez egy trip volt, ertem ratty healy gyokereit, jo vibeok, remek hosszusag, erdekes/fura dalfelepites, nagyon vicci szovegek. f fav: cemetry gates, v fav: frankly mr shankly, vicar in a tutu

There Is a Light That Never Goes Out sinistro de bom. Por enquanto o único álbum que eu tinha escutado alguma música antes na vida

Some girls are bigger than others 🎵🎶

Ja, det är onekligen en klassiker och ett helgjutet album. Det är imponerande med vilken extremt hög lägsta nivå Morrissey/Marrs låtar höll. På fem år lyckades de nästan få ur sig närmare 100 perfekta poplåtar. Helt oöverträffat. Min favoritskiva är louder than bombs med 20 singlar och b-sidor från 86-87, ett styrkeprov. Egentligen gillar jag sista skivan ”strangeways here we come” ännu mer, men det är detaljer de gå ju inte förbise ”the Queen is dead”.

Masterpiece. One of the greatest

It’s the smiths dummy!

De mis álbumes favoritos sin duda

Mad as hell that I fuck with Morrissey…

really really good. second half of the album was right up my alley, i’ll def do a relisten soon

Love it

Masterpiece and classic.

A lot can be said to describe this stroke of geniusness (is that a word ) in an album Personally love the smiths but never truly got round to listening to any of their back catalogue so it was a treat to listen to this gift of a record Track by track review : The queen is dead - Loved the toms intro into the atmospheric guitars of the great Johnny marr you get lost in the wall of sound and morriseys beautiful storytelling of I believe from what I can gather going to murder the queen and hearing about it in the news astounding from the get go Frankly mr shankly - very whimsical , loved the bass line clever word play again from morrisey I know it’s over - my 2nd favourite on the whole album I just fell in love with this lovely 6/8 feel going on almost reminded me of a love ballad from the 60s very righteous brothers like , the bittersweet lyrics and heartbreaking Melodies from morrisey make this such an atmospheric , tragic song you can hear the pain in his voice but yet sung so beautifully and the build up towards the end with Johnny Marr building the guitar with chorus effect really drove it home Never had no one ever - Again great song another 6/8 feel very atmospheric and building of the guitars Cemetery gates - great feel on this song Big mouth strikes again - fantastic , love the middle bit that builds on the snare , the guitar effects really give it charachter and love the lyrics of Morrissey again what a wordsmith The boy with a thorn in his side - again some lovely guitar playing from Marr , bass is complementing the riff , it reminds me of the cure this one , I’m sure they must have had a lot of inspiration from this band Vicar in a tutu - a bit daft lol probably a filler for the album A light that never goes out - just so happens to be one of my fave songs of all time this is quintessential Marr some lovely chords up the higher register , morrisey singing about the love of his life to quote the chorus “and if a double decker bus crashes into us , to die by your side is such a heavenly way to die” One of the best choruses of a song ever imho Some girls are bigger than others- genius enough said some great dynamics and very well written Melodie’s