Reviews (page 4 of 18)
Отличный альбом с местами интересными гитарными партиями, хорошим вокалом Моррисси и депрессивными отголосками пост панка и мне показалось, что звук навеян cure. Первый альбом из этого списка которому я поставлю 5.
I loved this one way more than I thought I would. I don't know why I'm so surprised in retrospect - on paper this album is a lot of the things that I like. For some unknown reason I was worried this one would be boring but there is a depth to this that simply demands your attention and definitely warrants another listen from me at some stage. What is at first glance generic post-punk by a band with the most bland name there could possibly be is full of rich musicality and bizarre insight.
Luxury music
the last 2 tracks deserves a FiveStars before listening. After listening 5stars are not enough
Can't stand Morrisey as a person but god I love the smiths.
Perfect jangly pop. There’s no universe where I give this album anything less than a 5. Is There Is A Light the perfect pop song? Favorite tracks: Cemetry Gates, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
DISCAZO PAPAAA aguanten los smiths, me trae recuerdos y sabor a mi adolescencia tardía y buenos momentos, de los primeros discos que me regalaron en CD y que de vez en cuando pongo un fin de semana
Esooooo aguante Morrissey
Love it !
One of the greatest albums ever made
имба.
Toujours partagé sur les Smiths entre l’adoration et un certain ennui. “Bigmouth Strikes Again” est génial, “There is a light that never goes out” est très haut dans mon top personnel, ça penche donc vers un chef d’oeuvre à 5. Mais des moments moins intéressants, le chant qui peut lasser à la longue, beaucoup de manières, ça finit par plomber l’écoute sur la longueur. Et Morrissey a l’air d’être un sacré connard. Mais restons sérieux, c’est du très bon boulot et si tous les albums n’avaient qu’une chanson de la trempe des meilleures de cet album, ce serait déjà beaucoup.
I think people are scared to realize that The Smiths did what the Beatles did for indie rock, as in not invent the genre but redefined what a band could do in said genre to shape the future of it forever. And this album is a perfect example. It's one of my favorite albums of all time, an album I've listened to front and back time after time again. An album that makes me think "Man I was a depressed little bastard in high school in the year 2015" and makes me feel "Man many people were depressed little bastards since at least the 1980s." And album that makes me feel that I wasn't alone feeling like this and people will always feel like this and music helps to find and connect. I truly believe that Morrissey and Johnny Marr are the alt-rock/indie version of Lennon/McCartney. Many songs, including most of not this entire album, are perfect examples. In my honest opinion, it is a near, if not, perfect album for the genre. Now, if Morrissey wasn't such a raging cunt......
A classic
Smiths good, me likey
Already listened
Loved it
89/1001. I wonder how all of the reviews do far have missed the point of this album, which of course is the undeniable fact that Morrissey & The Smiths foresaw and predicted Princess Diana's death and the message is hidden all over the place, in the cover, the group photo, the lyrics. Oh, and it apparently is also linked to the death of Jayne Mansfield as well. Here is some solid proof: - There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” and the Underpass: The song talks about a car crash with a loved one, and contains the line “darkened underpass” — eerily like the Alma Tunnel, where Princess Diana died. There is a Flame of Liberty memorial (a light that never goes out) above the crash site. The song was only ever released as a single in France, where the accident happened. - Cover Art & Film Links: The album cover shows actor Alain Delon in Le Passage, where his character dies in a car crash. It can also be connected to actress Jayne Mansfield’s fatal car crash: The character in the film lived from 1933-1961. Jayne Mansfield was born in 1933. Princess Diana was born in 1961. ... - Cemetry Gates: “Keats and Yeats are on your side / but you lose / because Wilde is on mine.” Oscar Wilde died in Paris, the same city where Diana passed away. - In the official lyrics that are printed with the vinyl edition of THE QUEEN IS DEAD, Morrissey's 13th word on Side 1 is "arches" and his 13th word on Side 2 is "smash." Diana will "smash" into the 13th of the "arches" formed by the pillars in an underpass. THEM WAS ROTTEN DAYS" is etched on Side 2 of THE QUEEN IS DEAD. It's a line from the film SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNING. Princess Diana crashed twenty-five minutes after midnight on "SATURDAY NIGHT" and she died in the hospital at four o'clock on "SUNDAY MORNING." -In the film"No Place to Hide" A CD of THE QUEEN IS DEAD is handled in Building 31 while the soundtrack plays an unrelated song, EVERY LITTLE BIT OF MY HEART, whose title is listed in the closing credits directly after the words "Paris, France." Within three minutes of THE QUEEN IS DEAD and EVERY LITTLE BIT OF MY HEART, a woman's fatal car crash is shown. Diana, "queen of hearts" was killed in a car crash on August 31 ("Building 31") in Paris, France. Diana crashed while trying to hide from the paparazzi. The name of this film is NO PLACE TO HIDE. - In 2005, PETA presented the "Linda McCartney Memorial Award" to Morrissey. ... The first recipient ever of PETA'S "Linda McCartney Memorial Award" was actress Pamela Anderson. ... Pamela Anderson was born July 1. ... Princess Diana was born July 1. ... Before becoming a Princess, Diana's first official title was "Lady" Diana. ... Pamela Anderson was born on "Lady" Diana's birthday in "LadySmith." ... "Lady" Diana's death was foreshadowed on THE QUEEN IS DEAD by The "Smiths."... Pamela Anderson was born in 1967 on Lady Diana's birthday two days after the car crash that killed Jayne Mansfield. It goes on, read more at http://www.dianamystery.com/ Oh and the music?
Rating 5 Its interesting to hear the artists stream of words and writing in each song. I can see how he writes straight from his point of view and his own thoughts/feelings. Past the pub that saps your body And the church who'll snatch your money The Queen is dead, boys And it's so lonely on a limb Bro is really just talking about what he saw on his walk in London here. And it captures the exact feeling. Each song feels like a peek into what the band is feeling, and the singer himself has been feeling lonely on alot of the songs. Id describe his vocals as haunting but real and a bit soothing. Strange how the same feelings he felt then could still be seen in songs today. Timeless kind of writing, and its clear alot of bands in the 90s took inspiration from this band.
The Smiths at their best.
Great
brilliant both in terms of music and satire in lyrics, songs like frankly, mr.shankley are so funny Favorite track: there is a light that never goes out other picks: the queen is dead, bigmouth strikes again, i know it’s over, the boy with the thorn
this was such a beautiful album, every lyrics made me emotional
I know it’s over
Brilliant album. Opening track wasn’t my fave but the rest were Morrissey at his best
There's a lot of things to dislike about The Smiths and Morrisey in particular, but none of them matter. Everything about this album just works on every level. The rythm section is great, the guitar work is outstanding, and while Morrisey is a huge pile of garbage, he sure had a way with words.
an old favourite!
наконец-то альбом, который я уже слушала и который мне нравится, ура! ну очень хорошая красивая музыка, и моррисси так отчаянно мяукает, и инструменты отличные, ммм
This album brings back good memories!
Classic
Glorious, witty, musically perfect. Top tier album.
it's so over
Top 5 all time
Actually pretty groovy except for the few tracks i hated. I dont do 4s so. FIVE
Fuck Morrissey.......five stars.
Johnny Marr’s guitar work on this album is magic. Such a solid band.
I fell in love with the Smith's years ago after watching 500 days of summer, so how fitting it was my 500th album
hatful of hollow and louder than bombs are more essential but this is their best studio album
My first Smiths album and my favourite. Bought it when I was 15 - still holds up today. A banger.
To me The Smiths are the Beatles of the 90‘s. There is a Light That Never Goes Out, is an absurd ode to suicide versus a goofy Some Girls are Bigger Than Others. This is an album that if I put it on, I have to listen to the end. Magnificent.
## The Queen Is Dead: An In-Depth Review of The Smiths' Seminal Masterpiece ### **Lyrical Analysis: Wit, Despair, and Subversion** Morrissey's lyrics on *The Queen Is Dead* blend melancholic introspection, savage wit, and literary sophistication. The album explores: - **Political Satire**: The title track mocks the British monarchy with surreal imagery ("I say, 'Charles, don't you ever crave / To appear on the front of the *Daily Mail*? / Dressed in your mother's bridal veil?'") . Its anti-establishment rage echoes punk but filters it through absurdist humor. - **Existential Loneliness**: Tracks like "I Know It's Over" and "Never Had No One Ever" dissect isolation with raw vulnerability ("It's so easy to hate / It takes strength to be gentle and kind") . Morrissey oscillates between self-pity and profound empathy. - **Meta-Commentary**: "Frankly, Mr. Shankly" attacks the music industry ("Fame, fame, fatal fame / It can play hideous tricks on the brain"), while "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side" addresses media skepticism toward The Smiths . - **Literary Flair**: "Cemetry Gates" celebrates plagiarism as artistry ("All those lies about Keats and Yeats / Wilde is on mine") , embedding Oscar Wilde quotes into the vinyl etching . Morrissey’s genius lies in balancing despair ("To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die") with irony, making anguish feel transcendent . --- ### **Musical Innovation: Marr's Jangle-Pop Revolution** Johnny Marr’s guitar work redefined indie rock, merging genres with virtuosity: - **Genre Fusion**: The title track channels The Stooges’ aggression and Velvet Underground’s dissonance via wah-wah pedals and a looped tom-tom beat . "Bigmouth Strikes Again" pairs punk energy with danceable jangle-pop riffs. - **Melodic Complexity**: "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" combines lush, orchestral guitar layers with a motorik bassline, creating a "hauntingly beautiful" anthem . "Cemetry Gates" uses upbeat folk-pop to contrast its morbid setting. - **Rhythmic Vitality**: Drummer Mike Joyce and bassist Andy Rourke provide propulsive foundations. Joyce’s drums on the title track are "aggressive and inspired," while Rourke’s bass on "Frankly, Mr. Shankly" adds music-hall bounce . Marr’s arrangements avoid 1980s synth-pop clichés, favoring organic textures that amplify Morrissey’s emotions . --- ### **Production: Raw Authenticity** Produced by Morrissey and Marr, the album’s sound is deliberately unpolished: - **Minimalist Approach**: Unlike the era’s glossy productions, tracks like "I Know It’s Over" foreground Morrissey’s voice with sparse instrumentation, emphasizing lyrical weight . - **Experimental Touches**: "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others" uses a fade-in/out effect mimicking a "door closing and opening" , while Morrissey’s vocals on "Bigmouth" are sped up and credited to "Ann Coates" (a pun on Ancoats, Manchester) . - **Atmospheric Depth**: The sampled "Take Me Back to Dear Old Blighty" intro juxtaposes nostalgia with the title track’s fury, framing the album’s critique of British decline . Stephen Street’s engineering ensures clarity without sacrificing the band’s live energy . --- ### **Themes: Alienation in Thatcher’s Britain** The album dissects 1980s England through personal and political lenses: - **National Identity**: The monarchy symbolizes a decaying establishment, with the title track envisioning the Queen’s beheading as liberation . - **Social Isolation**: "Never Had No One Ever" reflects immigrant displacement ("I was 20 and felt unwelcome in my own hometown"), while "There Is a Light..." romanticizes outsiderdom . - **Artistic Integrity**: "Frankly, Mr. Shankly" and "The Boy with the Thorn..." depict the band’s battles with industry neglect, framing fame as both corrosive and desired . Morrissey’s themes resonate as both intimate confession and generational critique . --- ### **Influence: The Blueprint for Indie Rock** *The Queen Is Dead* reshaped alternative music: - **Genre Legacy**: It perfected jangle-pop and inspired Britpop bands (Oasis, The Stone Roses) and indie acts (Arcade Fire, The Shins) . - **Cultural Impact**: NME ranked it the #1 greatest album of all time , while its lyrics became cultural shorthand for teenage angst . - **Enduring Relevance**: Tracks like "There Is a Light..." remain funeral staples, and the album’s blend of wit and melancholy remains unmatched . --- ### **Pros and Cons** | **Strengths** | **Weaknesses** | |----------------------------------------|------------------------------------| | Morrissey’s lyricism: poetic, witty, and emotionally raw | "Vicar in a Tutu" and "Some Girls..." feel slight compared to heavier tracks | | Marr’s genre-blending guitar work | Morrissey’s vocals polarize: criticized as "monotone" or "whining" | | Cohesive themes of alienation and rebellion | Humor sometimes undermines gravity (e.g., "Bigmouth"’s Joan of Arc line) | | Production that balances experimentation with clarity | Limited mainstream appeal upon release (UK #2, US #70) | --- ### **Verdict** *The Queen Is Dead* is a landmark album that marries Morrissey’s lyrical genius with Marr’s revolutionary guitarscapes. While minor tracks hint at filler and its bleakness may alienate some, its influence on indie rock, thematic depth, and emotional power cement its status as a masterpiece. As Pitchfork notes, it captures "the ecstasy of emptiness" – a paradox that remains utterly compelling . **Rating: 9.5/10** **Essential Tracks**: "The Queen Is Dead," "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out," "I Know It’s Over," "Cemetry Gates."
YES
After meeting The Smiths halfway on their last outing with Meat Is Murder, I can confirm that not only is their follow-up The Queen Is Dead an improvement, but a surprisingly good record on its own. I was already into this band from an instrumental standpoint, as they continued to build on their jangle pop stylings. In particular, guitarist Johnny Marr was influenced by the likes of The Stooges and The Rolling Stones to craft some rather catchy melodies throughout the song, all the while the rhythm section of Andy and Mike kept it tight and bouncy. It certainly helps that the production sounds more polished in reverb, effectively bolstering the atmosphere. However, the most significant improvement here is from Morrissey himself. Where I didn't always enjoy his vocal performance and political lyrics on Meat Is Murder, on this record, he went for darker and wittier with more space in between his words to get his quips across. From the opening title track that lampoons British society as it is still rooted in the monarchy, to poking fun at the head of their label on "Frankly, Mr. Shankly", to the couple's walk through the graveyard as he points out her plagiarism on "Cemetery Gates", to Morrissey's own big mouth when he talks during interviews with the band on "Bigmouth Strikes Again", to the sheer absurdity against religious conformities on "Vicar in a Tutu", Morrissey knew how to take the piss out of everyone including himself. That said, it's not always clowning around, as Morrissey does take time to work out some rather somber tunes. "I Know It's Over" delves into loneliness that gives way to utter despair, and "Never Had No One Ever" offers a rather bleak perspective from someone who always felt was an outsider. Probably the two instances where the dreary and silly sides of Morrissey's writing collided effectively were "The Boy With the Thorn In His Side" which described his hatred towards the music industry, and the immaculate "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" about a reckless love that plays with suicidal thoughts to express the desire to be with someone until the very end. The latter ended up being my favorite song on the record, not gonna lie. The only song that I'm just lukewarm on was the closer, "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others". I get that it's a sexually suggestive song, and I'm not against that notion. But it is rather odd for this song to follow after "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out", from the rather genuine reckless abandon for love to the "astute" observation of women. Even stranger is how the song opens with the fade-in that is abruptly faded out before being reintroduced with the reverbed drums. I understand that engineer Stephen Street likened this intro to opening a door, closing it, and then opening it again and walking in. It simply feels weird to me, even on repeat listens. The song is still a bop though. So yeah, I genuinely enjoyed a Smiths album. That is a statement I never thought I'd say, because I didn't get into them properly before this journey due to Morrissey being a dick. But yeah, now I can count at least one record of theirs I can come back to.
Simplesmente clássico, acho que dos discos deles deve ser o mais redondo, que por mais que eu não goste tanto de alguma musica, não consiga pular. Morrissey continua sendo um fascista filho da puta
+cannot go wrong with the smiths +listened to most of the songs already so this was just a session of me singing along +'i know it's over' stands out to me especially
Absolute classic. Could listen every day and not get sick of it. Top marks
loved this album first time around and delighted to hear it sounding still so vibrant and fresh after all of these years! perhaps the finest from the Smiths - five stars!
Listening critically rather than as a fan I can see how the more upbeat melody songs stand out on this album. Johnny Marr guitars and Andy Rourks bass lines are all to the fore. Some of the slower downbeat songs are not as strong (although I know it's over is a classic) and do go on. However another of my favourite albums.
Morrissey is such a boner but damn can he write a pop song. Andy Rourke is one of the best bass players of his time. I love this shit.
Biblical!
When this popped up in my queue today I initially thought 'I've easily listened to this album one thousand times from 1989 when I fell deeply in love with everything The Smiths...no need to listen...5/5. But I listened anyway, the first time since a long weekend in the spring of 2020 driving all around York-Leeds-Manchester, chasing some many of the sites mentioned in so many songs...the moors, Wally Range, Holy Cross Church, Rusholme, Still Ill bridge, Cemetery Gates, and so on. Despite all of this familiarity I am sitting here in shock listening...in awe of just how great this album is. Immediately I'm sitting in my 1979 Honda, east county San Diego, singing top of my lungs trying to impress my passenger, and day-dreaming of the life the lay ahead. Queen is Dead such a great opener. I know its over and Light that Never Goes out still bring tears. Even my lesser likes Mr. Shankly, Vicar in a Tutu and Some Girls hold up. I still think Hatful of Hollow is their best album but hardly a flaw here. Thank you Johnny Marr for asking Morrissey to play records and thank you both for creating the soundtrack of my high school years. 5/5
A great album for the chronically depressed romantics. Favorites: I Know It's Over; There is a Light That Never Goes Out Lovely: 4.5/5 (?) (+)
There is too much Smiths hate on this site. I get it Morrissey is a horrible person, but they wrote some great much as a group. Johnny Marr is one of the greatest guitar players of the 80's. I was not crazy about this album when I first heard it, but on ever sequential listen it got better and better and a different melody will stand out until you have the entire album memorized. There are so many catchy melodies in this album, it is so much fun to sing along too. There are very few albums I would consider perfect, but this one is definitely in the discussion. It has the perfect run time, some of the greatest melodies, every song is perfect, and some fun lyrics. Shame about Morrissey though. High 5!
I really enjoyed this one. I’d heard tracks 3 and 9 before but the rest was also great. Whenever the last song starts I think I’m getting a phone call.
ate that up
Marr’s guitar is so so good, morrisseys weird vocals work so well, and as a result this album is fantastic. Some really beautiful songs on here
Perfect. No notes.
Proper tunees
Easy 5 star. Not my absolute favorite Smiths album. But still top marks here.
Love it. Love the sound, the songs, it just feels great to listen to
The best way to listen to the Smiths is the best of the Smiths, the second best way is this album. Morriseys lyrics are funny and Marr is doing Marr things. No skips, highlights are title track, bigmouth and there is a light
Inspirerede Blur, Radiohead, Oasis osv da de stod for at definere genren britpop og indie rock. Gode tekster osv og jeg er rimelig enig kan godt lide lyden af jangle pop.
Life is very long when you’re lonely 😅 The soundtrack of my student life 😅
"Pass the pub that wrecks your body And the church, all they want is your money The Queen is dead, boys And it's so lonely on a limb" Probably my favourite album when I was 17 and still one of my favourites today. 5+++++ "Send me the pillow.... the one that you dream on..."
I love this album, have since the first listen. Going through this list has just reinforced how amazing a work it is. I think that it can be easy to fence in The Smiths (especially Morrissey) as whingy, goth, opposite-of-life-affirming, etc., but that requires a level of cynicism utterly absent from this album. It is a lyrical triumph, completely pithy, sarcastic; totally, perfectly witty. After listening to ~70 albums on this list I've come to adore the restraint shown in the writing, Morrissey without fail, nails the message in the fewest words possible (some girls really are just bigger than others). All this without mentioning how on point the instrumentals and production remains from the first second to last wail. I've listened to, maybe, a million albums in my life and I'm still amazed at how tight every melody remains. Like the writing, they literally never get old. 100/5 Frankly Mr. Shankly is still my fav on this album. (One last note, how refreshing is a 37min album from the list? I think there are more albums >75 mins than <45 mins so far)
It feels like the right time of the year for The Smiths. A cold July; wet out, sky slow to brighten – daylight hours an impressionist vista of bruised purples and blue, jagged clouds bisecting the occasional window of pale blue sky. I’m projecting onto the weather a melancholy that this album is more than capable of communicating come rain or shine … at best it’s a lazy on my part (pathetic fallacy, hack!). At worst, unchecked, it’s a risk I’ll ignore everything that’s joyous about “The Queen is Dead”. About that … First things first, “There is a light that never goes out”. A song I might have known since the age of 10 but had never fully clicked with until feeling legitimately lovesick when first getting together with Fleur (“getting together” over “dating” because that’s what it was; decisive). I remember craving, viscerally, that five note run; sitting on a bed in a Helsinki hotel (Kamppi, soviet brutalist facade) listening to it through the trebly speakers of a company laptop like the violins might eventually give me answers to feelings I couldn’t yet corral into questions. That song would be performed as our first dance, wonderfully, by members of the band I was in at the time. In the memory of that moment, surrounded by family and friends (and interrupted, charmingly, by our scene-stealing daughter) there is nothing but happiness. While “There is a light…” might have the sort of emotional dexterity to suit any number of occasions (comfortably handling a spectrum ranging melancholy—celebratory), it hadn’t until now occurred to me how perfectly “Cemetery Gates” recalls the day I met Fleur, July 22 2013: “A dreaded sunny day, so I met you at the cemetery gates. Keats and Yeats are on your side.” On that day, a sunny one early in July 2013, walking around the cemetery nearby Old Street, it was Blake I’d visited. I told Fleur about it. As first impressions go, it perhaps wasn’t as slickly intellectual as I’d been aiming for; I got the (unpaid, crucially) job she was interviewing me for, anyway. Funny how nearby those two songs sit on a single record – the sort of sweet cosmic coincidence that, just now being realised, totally revitalises songs on a record I’ve listened to hundreds of times. I spend a lot of this record – and the multiple times I return to it – feeling grateful. Grateful in the first instance for the opportunity to reminisce that a collection of songs like this creates (“Frankly, Mr Shankly” catapults me back to year 11; “Bigmouth strikes again” to a musty practice room in Croydon). Grateful for each of those beats in a life; milestones to which, and no matter to what small degree, those songs are linked. Grateful too for what’s still to be revealed, what comes next (Tabby, it must be noted, likes “Some girls…” – a song admittedly primed for bedtime, “send me your pillow, the one that you dream on” – in a very serious way). And it’s there that you sort of have to stop thinking about it as just a record. It’s something embedded. Concrescent. Something you grow with, and something that grows with you. At once a scrapbook, an invitation and a reminder to never take any of it for granted. A light that never goes out.
The Queen Is Dead is not so much an album as an exquisite post-mortem on the insufferable malaise of Albion’s disenchanted youth—a mordant promenade through the rain-slicked streets of northern self-loathing and southern soft-focus romanticism. From the bombastic tumble of the opening track—wherein monarchy is rendered absurd with the same ease that a dandy might cast off a moth-eaten cravat—one is thrust into a musical chamber where jangle-pop meets Jacobean tragedy. Marr’s guitar swirls like Vimto around a Tupperware tumbler; Morrissey croons like a miserable bellboy with a masters degree in alienation. Each track flounces forth with a camp sneer and a sly wink, as if to say: Yes, the world is repugnant, but isn’t that just the beginning of its charm? “I Know It’s Over” is not merely a lament—it is a Dostoyevskian suicide note penned on the back of a Tesco receipt. “Bigmouth Strikes Again” is a Freudian slip in winklepickers, blistering with the righteous self-pity of a man scorned not by lovers, but by culture itself. And what is “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” if not the wet-dream of an unconsummated martyr, who sees romantic annihilation via double-decker bus as a fitting punctuation mark to adolescent longing? This record deserves five stars not because it panders to anything so gauche as catharsis, but because it refuses to let us off the hook. The Smiths, those unwitting archbishops of disaffection, do not offer solace—only stylish despair. Morrissey, the lachrymose librarian of lost causes, and Marr, the sonic tailor par excellence, have stitched together a dirge so opulent it might make even Schopenhauer shimmy. The Queen Is Dead is, in short, a funeral procession one gladly joins—mourning not just the death of British decency, but the exquisite agony of being young, clever, and fundamentally misunderstood.
L'app 1001 album me fait un cadeau. Un album fétiche des 5 dernières années. J'y reviens tout le temps. Pas de raison précise pas d'argument. Juste comment ça feel, ça se décrit pas. Bizarrement d'habitude jvais m'accrocher au début de l'album ou au single, là cest le milieu. Big Mouth/The boy with the thorn, cest mon bout fétiche, mon lieu confortable
Closer to 4.5
Fave song: I Know It's Over
Best album ever
The Queen Is Dead I Know It's Over Cemetry Gates Bigmouth Strikes Again There Is a Light That Never Goes Out Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others
Phenomenal.
I hate how much I still love The Smiths, because I dislike Morrissey so much. But now is not the time to talk about him. There is a lot of personal baggage for me listening to this album. I think of my angsty younger self, and I haven't listened to The Smiths much since a long relationship with someone who loved them. So, I wanted to find issues with this album. But I can't. It really is a perfect album, never a dull moment. It plays like a greatest hits album. I am partial to Marr's guitar and the production, but Morrissey's singing and lyrics do shine throughout. All the macabre, tongue-in-cheek, pretentious, sulking, playful words that they are. There's nothing more I can add that hasn't already been said.
I love the smiths fuck u
Absolute classic album! Of course a lot of the political and social commentary is lost on me, not being British and all, but I think I get the gist of it. Either way, that context definitely is not needed to enjoy the music. These songs are the perfect ideal of indie pop, on the surface very airy and light and fun and catchy. On closer inspection, however, we get some slightly stranger elements, like Morrissey's not-always-quite-in-tune-vocals and biting and self-deprecating lyricism, the song structures that break from the regular pop formes, or the jangly guitars, which for some reason never became a fixture of mainstream rock music. The Smiths and Morrissey's finest hour. Key tracks: The Queen Is Dead Cemetery Gates Bigmouth Strikes Again There Is a Light That Never Goes Out Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others
Álbum recheados de clássicos e muito bem feito.QoA Adonis New.
Peak ngl
Another no-brainer for me.
Morrissey racist wanker This album amazing
Yea, I do like this one.
Hard to top this album. One of the all-time best.
I first heard this album in 1987 during a transformational Summer for me. This album was one of the first inklings that there was a much larger world of music than I had been exposed to in the small Massachusetts town that I had done most of my growing up in. “Big Mouth Strikes Again” is one of my all time favorite songs. Classic album.
Hate Morrissey all you want, but this is perfection
May 27, 2025 Album #632: The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths Genre: Indie Rock, Post-Punk Commonly hailed as one of the greatest albums of the 80s, *The Queen Is Dead* is an album that I’ve been curious about for a long time. With that said, I think that I can positively confirm that this album is great. I was immediately kind of struck by the opener and title track, with its jangly guitars and driving drums. They really have a momentum to them. This instrumentation persists throughout the album and really make an atmosphere, which I dig a lot. A good example of this is *Cemetry Gates*, which is not a typo. Its funky bass line is another thing that I appreciate about this album, the bass from Andy Rourke is great here. The thing that I like about this album the most though, are probably the lyricism and the vocals from Morrissey. His vocals are darkly soothing in a sense. Songs like *Frankly, Mr. Shankly*, *Bigmouth Strikes Again*, and *There Is A Light…* are some of my favorite songs from the albums because of this. They’re catchy, and have great vocal performances and lyrics. In short though, this album is a post punk classic which I very much appreciate. Its depressing moods make for a great experience. I recommend this one. Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, Light to Decent 9 Favorite Tracks: The Queen Is Dead, Frankly, Mr. Shankly , I Know It’s Over, Cemetry Gates, Bigmouth Strikes Again, The Boy with the Thorn In His Side, Vicar In A Tutu, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, Some Girls Are Bigger Than Other Girls
Morissey is a bit of a tosser but no denying that most of the tracks are classics
Good stuff.
"There is a light that never goes out" is such an amazing song. Five star album; probably the Smiths best one.
nostalgisk at høre igen.
Lyrics, lyrics, lyrics! Such amazing lyrics. Beautiful, emotional, unusual, individual, outspoken, genuine, political, hilarious, intelligent, informed. I could quote, but where to start? Almost every song us packed full of perfect words. The Morrissey who is often slated now wrote 'It's so easy to laugh, it's so easy to hate, it takes strength to be gentle and kind'. Tunes, tunes, tunes! Much as I love Johnny Marr as a guitar player, it's the tunes he wrote here which are so beautiful. 'I know It's Over and 'The Boy With The Thorn in His Side' are gorgeous. As of course is 'There is A Light', surely their finest moment, everything comes together, achingly beautiful and poignant. Only they could have written this. 39 years since it was released and I am still moved as I listen and write. I spent so many hours listening to this album, especially in the first 10 years after it was released when I was 17. It was such a soundtrack to those times for me and so many others who didn't feel they fitted in, or even agreed, with the mainstream, and simply loved what they heard. Many thought they were depressing but here they are uplifting and often hilarious. 'Frankly Mr Shankly' was the soundtrack to my first, awful job, at a bank. It was in my head as I wrote my resignation letter! Morrissey Marr Rourke Joyce. They all play their part from the blistering opener to the beautiful closer. Is there one blemish? The lyrics to the final track? Maybe! But it is what it is, and this is one of the finest albums ever recorded, and possibly my favourite :) All that, and I've not even mentioned 'Cemetery Gates', perfection!
A genre-defining indie rock album that I didn’t want to end. Beautiful riffs from Johnny Marr, paired with excellent vocals and songwriting from Morrissey. In true Smiths fashion the lyrics are very ‘tortured romantic’, delivered in a cohesive and authentic package that you can’t help but be drawn into. Despite it not being the longest album there’s a decent amount of variety - from the wallowing, forlorn ‘I Know It’s Over’, to the rollicking ‘Vicar in a Tutu’ with a beat and tempo that reminded me of Folsom Prison Blues, to the jangly and bright ‘Cemetry Gates’ (though the lyrics tell another story). I haven’t even mentioned Bigmouth and There Is a Light… do I need to? Funnily enough, the weakest tracks in my opinion are the opener and the closer. Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others has some rubbish lyrics, but it’s such an outlier that maybe that’s the point? It doesn’t matter anyway because Johnny Marr’s guitar work is superb as ever. My only other criticism is that the production is very 80s sounding. I’d be interested to hear what this would sound like if it was recorded, produced and mastered today - though that will never happen with Marr and Morrissey’s relationship (or lack of). Overall a very good album. My dad absolutely loves The Smiths, and I can see why!
Not as good as their self titled There is a light that never goes is is the most overrated song they have Best song is I know it’s over and Jeff Buckleys cover of that is trash
One of my favorites!! Hard to pick a favorite but can’t go wrong with Big Mouth Strikes Again
Listened to this album previously and it was goated 9.3/10
I didn’t get meat is murder when I first heard it, it was good but very 80s and didn’t strike me that strongly. The Queen is dead hit me much harder. Initially I had the same offput feeling but it grew on me as I listened. On second listen, I finally get what it’s about and why it sounds this way. I think I’ve become a genuine smiths fan..
The Smiths beste album. Revolusjonerende lyd og stemmemixing. beveger seg et sted mellom melankolsk rock og glam rock. Alle tracks er unike. Banger album.
This album was transformational when I was 14. Still holds up nearly 40 years later (!) There's a Light has to be one of their greatest songs, if not the *the* greatest.
Viciado no álbum! Composições excelentes. Tentei separar as polêmicas sobre a sua vida para apreciar o album.
Really lovely album. Flows well, has a bouncy moody ambience, and has interesting things to say as well as some silly things. Overall a great listen!
The best Smiths album, even with the last song.
Already listened to it many times. One of my favorites.
It's been a while since I listened to this. I thought I might have to re-evaluate this or grown out of this. However, it's just as good as ever. It's the Smiths at their most jangly. There are 5 or 6 perfect songs and no real duds to me. Cemetery Gates, The Boy with the Thorn in his Side, Frankly, Mr. Shankly, I Know it's Over, There is a Light and it Never Goes Out. I don't love the production on all Smith records but this hits a spot for me.
Love it front to back. Every song has something lovely to say.
Fantastic album - lyrics and music.
Eines meiner Lieblingsalben.
This album has all the really good smiths songs on it. So does meat is murder. And there’s another one too. I grew up with this album. I like it a lot. It’s ingrained in me. As I recently told my friend. I can focus on the music and not the complications of the actual person, if we’re calling openly racist personality traits “complications”. I think Johnny Marr is a great guitarist I saw him play with Modest Mouse. My fat moody punk goth coming of age teen years had this album as one of the many that were the soundtracks to my life.
#99 - One of my all time faves
There is a light in your eyes and it never goes out <3
Uno de mis discos favoritos de siempre. The Smiths crearon un estilo propio, una legión de seguidores-imitadores, con una influencia decisiva en la música posterior. No es solo la dupla Morrissey-Marr está también una sección rítmica prodigiosa (Rourke y Joyce) que acompaña unas melodías francamente díficiles de igualar. Lo de Rourke es para enmarcar aquí, su aportación a los Smiths es fundamental pero en este aún más. Podría decirse que está al nivel de Hook y Mani (con quienes fundó Freebass) y pocos más. No es mi disco preferido de entre su inmaculada discografía, como Talking Heads son de los pocos que no se han vuelto a reunir una vez separados (y cerca que estuvieron), pues para ese lugar tengo al siguiente Strangeways... pero esta es sin duda su obra maestra. Solo por There´s a light that never goes out ya merece la pena. Hay más mucho más, yo creo que salvo la incial (que no es en absoluto una mala canción) el resto son todas joyas absolutas. De entre mis favoritas Some girls, Cemetry gates, The boy with the thorn, I Know it´s over, Frankly... imposible elegir alguna. Es un álbum que he escuchado cientos y cientos de veces y jamás me ha cansado. A la altura de Steve McQueen de Prefab Sprout, en lo alto de lo mejor de la década.
It's really too bad Morrissey is such a dipshit. The music is great
I'm so sorry
4/5
Curse you morrisey.. I’ve given one of your band’s album five stars.
Sturlað meistaraverk. Löðrandi í angist án þess að vera boring.
Fullkomin plata, ekki einn veikur hlekkur. Langbesta plata Smiths, lögin öll góð og textar Morrisey auðvitað snilld.
another pick from the smiths. similar sound as the last album i've heard about a year ago. the smiths' music is a good example of "if it isn't broke, don't fix it". mysterious and depressing, this album's main theme is not just the same feelings of isolation and loneliness, but also a bit of critiquing about royalist ideals. this album has a lot more jaunt and class compared to others i've heard. morrisey isn't afraid to switch up the instrumental tone from slow and soft to groovy in mere minutes. it's delightfully strange, emotional, and... well... unapologetically the smiths. nobody else had a sound like them at the time and even today, people could only really imitate what was put out by them.
Maudlin Morrissey at his finest
Can't believe I've never listened to this before.
Album muito bom dentro do género. Já o conhecia e é um dos meus favoritos da banda.
Really like it. I think it puts a benchmark on how I should rate 5-star albums from now on. I understand why it's top tier now.
This is not my favorite Smiths album. Not into the hokey stuff like Mr. Shankly or Vicar in a Tutu. But ugh, Morrisey and Johnny Marr were just such a great team. Pure magic. Too bad they're human. Anyway, no problem listening to this album many times. The ending is terrible lol 4.5
I dug it
Drones on, but in a good way.
One of the best albums ever.
TAKEE MEEE OUTT TODNIGHT SOME GILRS ARE BIGGER THAN OTHERS SWEETNESSS SWEETNESS I WAS ONLY JOKINNG THE QUEEN IS DEAD BOYS FRANKLY MR SHANKLY IM A SICKINGING WRECK
even with the album’s low points (i.e. “vicar in a tutu” and “frankly, mr. shankly,” the latter of which isn’t a BAD song but it’s certainly not a very good one) (and i know “some girls are bigger than others” is stupid but johnny saves the day as usual), this is the smiths at their best—johnny’s guitar is jangle pop perfection, andy’s bass is as buoyant as it is anchoring, mike’s drums are drums, and morrissey is delivering some of his most memorable, gut-wrenching lyrics. it all still hits so hard despite my having listened to it one trillion times. now that i’m not a depressed 16-year-old wallowing in self-pity i think i’m better equipped to appreciate the instrumental elements of the smiths’ music, so i like listening to them and hearing things i’ve somehow still never noticed before. *fav tracks: i know it’s over; cemetry gates; never had no one ever; bigmouth strikes again; the queen is dead; there is a light that never goes out*
The Smiths are Dead but still album will always rise.
Ærlig talt pisseirriterende at en fyr som Morrissey har været involveret i at lave en så perfekt plade
PURFECTION. Aunque ya escuchado.
Peak Smithification. Sure, Morrissey's vocals continue their annoying melodic clichés – but this is the least egregious case of them I've heard. Several songs, including Frankly, Mr. Shankly, The Boy with the Thorn in His Side, and I Know It's Over are actually pretty dynamic and adventurous with their melodies, meaning this is probably the most "singable" music from the band thus far. The jangly guitars, echoey production, and fun little quirks like the ultra-English schoolchildren singing at the beginning of the title track is so charming that I can't help but stay engaged for the entire runtime. "Bigmouth, la da da ha haha, Bigmouth la da da da. Bigmouth strikes again!" And just when the album seems to be losing some "seriousness steam" with Vicar in a Tutu, you're hit with a one-two juggernaut ending of There Is a Light That Never Goes Out/Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others. There Is a Light is smooth, depressing, suicidal, and yet sounds better than just about all the punk it's imitating. And it brings with it a strange, almost masochistic theme that works just perfectly with Morrissey's overly theatrical delivery. I agree with this reviewer, who captured exactly what I wanted to say about some of the songs: "The surging momentum of the opening track with its hilarious stream-of-consciousness lyric (there is so much more humour here than casual listeners give the Smiths credit for); the magnificent melodic run of upbeat-but-caustic-but-wistful "Cemetry Gates" to "Boy with the Thorn..."; the heartbreakers "I Know It's Over" and of course, "There Is A Light..."." Yeah, whatever, Morrissey's a bad person. I don't care. His music (at least on this record) is fantastic. 5/5 Key tracks: The Queen Is Dead, Cemetry Gates, Bigmouth Strikes Again, The Boy With A Thorn In His Side, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
liked songs: all of them This is their best album. 4.5
Heard it before. Best Smiths album and one of my personal favourites as well 5/5
Solid, added to playlist
I think the greatest of the smiths albums. A treat to listen to. It spills out the guitar tumbling and running soaring in echo of morrisey singing. Just a joy, practically flawless. Some albums are better than others.
10 stars. Love this band. Epic album.
Love the album, hate the sadness.
Great album, a significant piece of britpop and a fragment of history.
Ok - little too lose on sound and voice for my taste. Original
fab
I knew two songs from that album previously. I like The Smiths, and I'll definitely add this album to my collection.
Magnificent! I love this album at aged 53 as much as I did when I was 18. Perfect!
Honestly their best album. This and Meat is Murder are like the two albums that I can listen to front to back and half a good time
Fabulous
and if a double decker buuuuuus crashes intooooo uuuus to dieee by yooour siiiide is such a heaaaavenlyyyy wayyy to dieee ach ach ach… vermuetli mis lieblingsalbum vo minere vermuetliche lieblingsband (momentan gad nöd aber phasewiis bestimmt) leider chan d‘eloquenz vo dem review uf de mentig morge tramfahrt richtig büro dem album nöd gerecht werde aber glaube ihr wüssed was für en grossi rolle the smiths für mich spielt anderi frag: meineder de bigmouth und sini wiederholte strikes bezieht sich ufs bowle? will wenn scho haut er verdammt vill strikes use (who do you think you are I am) vo mir gids ufjedefall 5 fetti strikes
this is such a great album. from front to back, it's melodramatic. it's fun music for depressed people. this album holds a really special place in my heart and to me is a showcase of the smiths at their best. of course, morrissey is morrissey, for better or worse. but the rest of the band is so great on here as well.
The Smiths at their best, and it's one of the best albums of the decade, a quintessential British classic. It's such a cleverly written, well sung and played album. There are a lot of catchy songs on it that I sing to myself days after I listen to is. It's also a fun album throughout for sad and melancholic people just like Morrissey is (who is a talented musician which can't be denied).
5-
Første lyt var en 3er, men det pirrede mig nok til at sætte den på igen. Andet lyt er en 4er. Men 3 lyt er altså en mini 5er på dagen. Hyggede mig ret meget med teksterne, de er jo faktisk sjove. Linjen "But still I rather be famus, than righteous or holy", kan jeg kun værtsætte.
nice
You can listen to this album every single day of your life and you will not get tired of it
This was outstanding
Definitely their best, often my favorite
I see now why The Smiths are the favorite of all my favorite high school bands
I met a friend Jodi in middle school on the cross country team and unlike all the other kids on that team, so was cool. Not in a mean girls way, no, like in a far more interesting way. She lived in a mid-century ranch and had a far cooler older sister named Hailee who ran the school's Amnesty International group and protested private prison labor in her spare time. Jodi was an artist. She made a fucking wood dining table as a high school art project. Her mom bought her a pack of cigarettes to use in an art piece once and she invited me to smoke one in an alley behind her house. In 7th grade Jodi made me a mix tape and one side was just The Smiths. The track list was written out on the front in handwriting I can only describe as "intentional" with small flourishes to dot the i's that I could only hope to think of incorporating into something mundane like handwriting. So if Jodi and Hailee were this enigma of cool within suburban Ohio middle school and turned me on to this band, it was Morissey, with his fucked up lyrics and sad boy, woe-is-me attitude that hooked me. So many quotable song lyrics that explained my angst to a perfect T -"And when you want to live, how do you start, where do you go, who do you need know?" "And if a double decker bus, crashes into us, to die by your side is such a heavenly way to die." It was all a little fucked up and dramatic (just like a teenage girl). The Smiths still stand out as a band that has it's own unique sound, untethered to a decade musically, and still hits the same way it did for me back in middle school. The Queen is Dead stands as a fully fleshed out album and perhaps their best. Bigmouth Strikes again, The Boy with the Torn in his side, There is a light that never goes out -- all bangers. Jodi is now head of design for Kohler which is still cool.
5 out of 5. Possibly The Smith's best album.
It’s been a while since I’ve listened to The Queen Is Dead. This much needed revisit reveals that this album is definitely The Smiths most consistent. I rank it highly for There Is A Light That Never Goes Out alone, a song so perfect that it outshines any deficiencies in the songs that surround it, not that they have much of anything wrong with them. Elsewhere, I Know It’s Over and Never Had No One Ever sway sadly, and in typical Morrissey fashion discuss his dissatisfaction with life so crisply and directly. His lyrics are a literal dramatic slap to the face. Johnny Marr’s awesome inventive guitar work shimmers effortlessly throughout all of this. This album definitely deserves its place in the lists it is in for being one of the best of the 80’s and of all time.
I used to hate The Smiths because I didn't get along with Morrisey's voice (we didn't know he had awful beliefs back then), but I was at a mate's house when this album was on and fell asleep with it in the background. I woke up and found myself in love with their sound. Since then, they've become one of my all-time favourite bands. This album is just so good.
Deciding to listen to this The Queen Is Dead: Begins with a music hall sample before transitioning to a tribal psychedelic drum rhythm. Pretty prophetic lyrics about Queen Elizebeth’s death and her replacement with King Charles. Funny lyrics by Morrisey about the monarchy and British society. Also has some pitched down vocals in the background. Nice instrumental jam at the end. Great opener! 10/10 Frankly Mr. Shankly: Nice happy go lucky ska influenced jangle pop song about quitting your job. Reminds me of This Charming Man or Come On Eileen by Dexy’s Midnignt Runners. Pretty short tho. 8/10 I Know It’s Over: Nice doo woo influenced song with a soulful performance by Morrisey. Nice use of synthetic strings too. Very beautiful song with a nice bass performance by Andy Rourke. Amazing buildup at the ending. 10/10 Never Had No One Ever: Another slow song about how lonely Morrisey is, going to his crushes house and stalking her and stuff. Nice production, and a nice instrumental outro with whistling, but over all a bit of a step down. Also what’s with Morrisey moaning and crying and stuff at the end? 6/10 Cemetery Gates: Nice acoustic jangle pop jam. They dialed back the 80s reverb and stuff for this one, which fits a lot for this song. Nice lyrics about going to a cemetery with your partner and discussing poetry and stuff. Also nice accordion in the background. Reminds me of TMBG. 10/10 Bigmouth Strikes Again: Here’s one of their bigger songs. Funny lyrics about Morrisey running his mouth and saying shit about how he wants to hurt someone and later defending himself by saying he was only joking and then comparing himself to Joan of Arc. Apparently this is about the music industry, and how music journalists misinterpret what he says to make him look bad and sell more copies. Also some pitched up vocals to compliment Queen’s pitched down vocals. Another banger. The Boy With The Thorn In His Side: Another big song from them. This is another breezy song about how Morrisey dealt with a lot of people who never believed in them and stuff. Very beautiful song. Morrisey’s singing on the end reminds me of the lead singer of the Cranberries. 10/10 Vicar in a Tutu: A Country influenced song about a vicar in a tutu and English religion and stuff. Another step down, but the lyrics are pretty funny. 7/10 There Is A Light That Never Goes Out: What can I say about this song that hasn’t been said. It’s one of their best songs. I remember hearing it on the radio and loving it. It’s a masterpiece. I sang along to the chorus as of listening to it. 10/10 Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others: Nice guitar work by Johnny Marr. The lyrics are about boobs. Decent song, just not a good closer imo. 8/10 Overall I give it a 9/10. Some amazing stuff is on here, but there’s a few dips in quality. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out is still a masterpeice tho.
One of the defining albums of the 80s, the peak of jangle pop, and one of the great pairings between singer/lyricist and guitarist/songwriter that we've ever seen. Obviously a 5 star record, and I appreciate that most of the negative reviews on here are acknowledging that their that their ratings have everything to do with Morrissey as a person and very little to do with the music represented here. Honest, at least.
One of the best ever
Regrettably, I fucking love The Smiths - this album particularly.
I know it’s over, still I cling
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Morrissey is a piece of shit, this record is amazing
Good Good Good
one of the best albums of all time
Given into what a total asshole Morrissey has turned since (or was revelaed to be), it's testament to the genius of the Smiths moment in Brit Pop that their music is still up there with the best of the 1980s.
Sublime. Best Smiths album and one of the best albums of the 80s with two of my all-time favorite songs...There is a Light that Never Goes Out & Bigmouth Strikes again. Lyrics, vocals, instrumentation...all brilliant.
The Smiths have a reputation for being a quite miserable band, which they definitely are at times, but it's easy to forget how funny they can be. That said, even in the funny or sentimental tracks on this record there's an unshakable feeling of bitterness that stays with the listener. I think this is why it's resonated with people for so long - or, in Morrissey's own words, "behind the hatred there lies a plunderous desire for love". Also, very funny album to get on Valentine's Day .
I have heard this album before too. I really like the melocholy of Morrisseys lyrics and upobeat sounds of Marrs Guitar. I was too young to get into them first time around so never seen them live however this is an exceptional album. My light stays on for them
morrissey they could never make me hate you
This album is like a warm coffee, on a chilly winter Sunday. It comforts your insides.
As much as I hate Stephen, Patrick Morrissey, I love this album.
Great album, 5 stars for how they've created such an unmistakable sound. Marr's riffs, Morrisey's vocals, it's all gravy.
Even if it's not my favourite Smiths album, this is a masterpiece. It redefined alternative pop rock for decades and its influence remains until this day. Tragic, comedic and all around dramatic, this album encapsulates the teenage angst and the young adult feelings of being lost in the modern world. A classic that will prevail the pass of time.
Loved it
Awesome sauce
So many classics. Personal favourite is Bigmouth Strikes Again 5/5
A lot of fun, went into the Album thinking I’d like it a lot less than a wound up liking it
Fantastic album
Masterpiece
Great album. One of the best from the 80s. Will definitely be listening to this one again. 5/5
Буде в відео в ТТ
Just tragic that Morrissey died after his first two solo albums. Who knows how that career could have gone? Anyway, an early masterpiece here from him and Johnny Marr (thankfully still with us).
Brilliantly depressing👏
i hate to admit that i love this
Love the jangly guitars and the funny lyrics. Some absolute bangers on this - Cemetry Gates being my favourite.
Put aside your feelings about Moz and remember that this dysfunctional group of pricks make some truly excellent music. For sad boys, it’s hard to do better than The Smiths. And it’s frankly hard to do better than this album.
:(((
This is #day150 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... here's to the second album from The Smiths on this list. The prophetic lyrics in Frankly, Mr. Shankly—"I want to go down in musical history"—speak for themselves. This album deserves a perfect score solely because of the presence of I Know It's Over and There Is A Light That Never Goes Out on the tracklist. But then there’s also the title track, Bigmouth Strikes Again, and more. Classics all around. Of course, this is a 5 out of 5, and I wasn’t planning for The Smiths to become my first favorite artist in this challenge, but here we are... and I don’t mind it. I also love Morrissey’s solo work, and so does my wife. And I love her, too. Oh, and it was interesting to discover who's pictured in the album artwork—never knew that before. Looking forward to #day151, aka back to work, since my winter vacation has sadly come to an end. Lovely way to wrap it up.
My dad said he grew up listening to them. My favorite song is I Know It’s Over. Incredible, no skip album!
Siempre bueno
Piękna to płyta. Prawie idealna, pomijając ostatni, zupełnie niepotrzebny utwór. Magiczny wokal i kompozycje, które cieszą duszę. Mój ulubiony krążek z dotychczasowych 9.5/10
unagobalixtip music
Morrissey and Marr match each other perfectly on this album despite their tense divergent relationship. Makes for great songs!
fantastiskt ju
As good an album as Morrissey is a shitty person. Although considering he's just a bigoted, awkward arsehole, when there are actual, paedophiles, murderers and rapists on this list of albums, grouping him in with the true shits of music seems a bit harsh. Easy 5.
Camp, but awesome
i hate that such a bad person was involved in making such a phenomenal album.
One of the easiest fives I can give. The front half is solid and the the second half is perfection.IMO their best studio album. I've listened to it about a thousand times and would put it on just about any day.
Album 633 of 1001 The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead (1986) Rating : 5 / 5 Awesome album. Love the jangly guitars, witty lyrics and thoughtful/somber themes. Some great tunes packed into a quick 37 minutes. A must listen for any alternative music fans, for sure.
Only band whose every album ranks five stars. Amazing out of the gate; broke up before they could suck.
I didn’t like Meat is Murder because the lead singer was annoying, though I acknowledged it demonstrated good musicianship. I think this is all of the good parts of that album cranked up, and all of the annoying parts removed. This was rock-solid.
I so love this album!
Loved this one for 35+ years.
An all-timer.
I have an embarrassing amount of good feelings about this album.
The best Smiths yet. There is a Light that Never Goes Out is fantastic.
Everything about this album is aesthetically perfect. From the title to the font to the cover photo to the guitar to the vocal to the lyrics to the melodies to the subject matter to the flow of tempos to the songs individually and as a whole. Can’t fault it.
- Das Album ist erstmal sicher nicht leicht zu mögen, "hard to get into" wie der Amerikaner sagen würde. Nicht im Tool-Sinne, weil es musikalisch oder rhythmisch zu anspruchsvoll ist. Dennoch, weil es mit vielen Hörgewohnheiten bricht. Und ich verstehe auch, dass Morrisseys Gesangstil gewöhnungsbedürftig sein kann. - Dennoch zähle ich das Album persönlich zu den ganz großen 10-15 Alben! Und das, obwohl ich nicht mal zwingend sagen würde, dass The Queen Is Dead das beste Smiths Album ist. Aber Hatful Of Hollow ist halt kein ganz eingeständiges Album, daher wird das hier wahrscheinlich nicht erscheinen. - Die Smiths haben den Grundstein für Indie-Rock gelegt und werden von vielen Bands als großer Einfluss aufgeführt: Radiohead, Oasis, Deftones, Muse, Suede, Blur, Arctic Monkeys, Placebo und viele mehr. Das Album wird dabei immer wieder genannt. - Zu dem Zeitpunkt gab es nichts, was so klang wie die Smiths. - Johnny Marrs Gitarrenarbeit, die auf diesem Album hauptsächlich Rhythm-geprägt ist, ist mega und agiert fast ausschließlich mit Majorakkorden und springt, wie auch Morisseys Gesang (und das macht den Gesang auch so besonders) zweitweise mühelos zwischen den Scales hin und her. Definitv ein Signature Sound. Der Bass von Andy Rourke bettet sich mal wunderbar im Hintergrund ein, mal spielt er vollkommen wild in der Gegend rum. Und dann Morissey. Sein weirder crooniger Gesang, der es manchmal (v.a. beim erstmaligen Hören) schwer macht, klare Melodiestrukturen herauszuhören - ist das jetzt Refrain? Oder Strophe? Oder was dazwischen? Man kann das nervig finden - Ich liebe es. Er spielt mit den Erwartungen der Zuhörer und scheißt eben auf die klassische ABAB oder AABB Reimschemata oder jegliche Vermaße alla Jambus etc. Dafür knallen dann Refrainmelodien wie bei "Bigmouth Strikes Again" oder "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" um so mehr, weil durch das eben beschriebene Prinzip des "drauf-scheißens" in den Strophen Spannung aufgebaut wird. - Das drauf scheißen zieht sich in den derbe provokanten Texten, für die Morrissey bekannt ist, weiter fort. Er ist und bleibt einer der größten Texter überhaupt. Wunderbar bissig, pointiert und schwarzhumorig. Und dann schreibt der Typ, dem ein lyrischer Genius nachgesagt wird und er sich dessen auch bewusst ist, den letzten Song auf dem Album bei dem die Lyrics fast ausschließlich wie folgt lauten: "From the ice-age, to the dole-age There is but one concern I have just discovered Some girls are bigger than others Some girls are bigger than others Some girls' mothers are bigger than other girls' mothers" Also erstmal finde ich das sehr witzig und wenn das nicht das größte keinen-Fick-auf-Erwartungen geben ist, dann weiß ich auch nicht! - Ach ich liebe diese Band einfach mit jeder Faser meines Körpers. - Ich habe die Platte zuhause und schmeiß die immer wieder gern an und ich habe kein Problem, dieses Album in Dauerschleife laufen zu lassen, weil ich doch immer wieder irgendwas (v.a. textliches) entdecke was ich witzig finde und etwas musikalisches raushöre, was ich so vorher noch nicht wahrgenommen habe. Rating: 5/5
Classic and one of my favourite albums ever. Great if slightly miserable lyrics, catchy melodies and fantastic guitar work from Johnny Marr. Some Girls is a weird track to close on, it's a bit of a rubbish novelty and surely it'd be better to just remove it and have There Is a Light as the last track. But anyway the rest is so good I'll overlook it
On of my alltime favourites. I have listened to it so many times but it’s still great. I can’t judge it, its simply too good.
I’d never really listened to them in earnest and I’m glad I did!
Great album. Nearly all the songs are iconic.
Favourite track: the boy with the thorn in his side Already listened to before this, amazing album
I'm going to be on a road trip for the next 3 days and I'm more than grateful to have this iconic album recommended! The Smiths are one of my Comfy Bands and I probably listen to Queen is Dead about 20 times a year! I don't want to review it today. I just want to enjoy the view from the road and listen to this album over and over again on my car stereo.
It's The Smiths. They will always get a 5 from me.
# Playlist track - Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others # Notes - Probably one of the first CDs (yeah, the physical disk) I ever touched. I didn't like it that much, back then. I was like 10 or something. - Album starts a bit slow, but REALLY picks up with "Bigmouth Strikes Again". From there until the end it's absolutely amazing. - Even the well-worn "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" stood the test of time beautifully and it still is a great song.
definitely on the rox playlist
Love these guys
Hate the player, not the music. Exquisite.
missing ava
Such a banger of an album
Genius lyrics Genius guitar and bass and drums and production. I always wondered how The Smiths weren't more famous than they are after this album.
"So I broke into the palace, with a sponge and a rusty spanner. She said 'I know you and you cannot sing.' I said 'That's nothing you should hear me play piano!'" Say what you want about Morrissey, but he can laugh at himself while penning a great lyric. This is the strongest Smiths album in my opinion. It's also great if you're having a bad day. Listen to this and whatever your troubles are will seem like nothing compared to Morrissey. Feeling down? Hearing "Oh Mother I can feel the soil falling over my head!" will make you feel better. "I know it's over, and it never really began, but in my heart it was so real." sounds worse than most relationships I've seen. Liked Songs Added: The Queen Is Dead I Know It's Over Cemetry Gates Bigmouth Strike Again The Boy With The Thorn In His Side There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
5/5 - Big fan of this album, not surprised this held up tbh
ну база да, великое
Albumi #109, 14.11.2024 The Smithsin kolmosalbumi vuodelta 1986. Briljantti äänite, kuten kaikki muutkin The Smithsin studioalbumit.
9/10
I've always scoffed heavily at terms like "male manipulator music," and I wouldn't say the fact Morrissey is uniquely, viscerally repellent to so many whilst retaining a melodramatic, borderline whimsical self-awareness about it is the MOST interesting asset of this record per se, but let's just say I do understand the urge to canonize this record in this way. It's basically the blueprint for morose, outcast, wimpish dickheads who wish to have their moment in the sun.
Solid album. The guitar playing is standout for me. I like my music with a bit of melancholy and The Smiths deliver.
I was pleasant surprised by this album. I had never listened to the Smiths despite being an 80s guy. Very good!
During this last listen, on the ipod no less, my oldest kid wanted to ask me a question but I asked her to wait a minute so I could focus on the instrumental section of 'Big Mouth'. I realize that might sound mean, but I meant no ill will. I guess The Smiths are "dad rock" in this house and this is easily one of my favorite albums and very influential in a lot of ways. Earnest and beautiful in its eccentricities with very excellent, intricate guitar work. This doesn't get old. RIP Andy
A great record. Too bad about that lead singer dude.
So you’re saying that this is one of the best albums of all time? Certainly that means it doesn’t have any silly songs on it. What?? Four silly songs?!
Omg the smiths!!
I hate Morrisey, but I can’t help but love this album.
Classic for me, an album I've loved for a long time. I love the shimmering guitars, the quality Morrissey's voice. Great basslines.The lyrics are clever, or at least they try to be, and even when they border on being pretentious, I can't help but find them charming. Such an ENGLISH album, and such an 80s album. Fav tracks: Bigmouth Strikes Again, The Boy with the Thorn in His Side, There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
I would have never thought to click on this album and at first I was not found of it. My original Review over all was a 3. However, after hearing it on repeat it grew on me. Now after listening to it for more than a year I give it a 5. This in my opinion is the order in which I liked the songs. 1. I know It’s Over 2. Vicar In A Tutu 3. Bigmouth Strikes Again 4. Frankly Mr. Shankly 5. There Is A Llight That Never Goes Out 6. The Queen Is Dead 7. Never Had No One Ever 8. Cemetery Gates 9. The Boy With The Thorn In His Side 10. Some Grils Are Bigger Than Others
Ive done most of my Smiths listening via a comp downloaded from Kazaa in 2004, but it really says something when a comp includes 9 of 10 album tracks. This album would get a 4 for "There Is A Light And It Never Goes Out" by itself, but i knew going in that it would be a 5.
So che Morrissey è una brutta persona ma non mi farò l’autolesionismo di cercare perché
mai più avrei pensato di sbilanciarmi sulle cinque stelle, ma se lo meritano. il mix di irriverenza e depressione mi ha totalmente conquistata.
Mi dispiace, su questo album pochi commenti critici o unpopular opinion, solo banali ovvietà. Amo l’oscillazione costante tra ironia dissacrante e disperazione profondissima. Parliamo di crateri di disperazione. Con Frankly, Mr Shankly e Cemetry Gates (che tra l’altro penso sia una delle mie preferite, nonostante la brevità) ridi tantissimo, mentre brani come I Know It’s Over (un altro dei miei preferiti) prendono il tuo cuore, lo tritano con un mortaio e poi lo buttano nell’inceneritore. Nel senso: “It’s so easy to laugh, it’s so easy to hate, it takes strength to be gentle and kind, over, over, over, over […] Love is natural and real, but not for you, my love, not tonight, my love […] Oh, mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head.” È vero che forse a volte gli Smiths sfiorano l’autocommiserazione (secondo me, per esempio, in Never Had No One Ever un po’ succede), ma glielo abboniamo, dai. E niente. Tra tutti gli album che ho ascoltato degli Smiths, per ora questo rimane il mio preferito. È privo di difetti? Sicuramente no. Ma ormai abbiamo capito che al 5/5 non si comanda.
I have been poorly exposed to the Smiths music other than the singles which I liked. Not sure why as they influenced so many of the bands I liked. It may be because Morrissey seems like a complete twat! Catching up on 3 of their albums together and this was a the stand out album and it is a belter. I am sure many will find his voice annoying but it is perfect for this sound, and the music and lyrics work well together, and is very poetic in places. This has a few of the hits but has at least half a dozen top tracks. All hail the Smiths!
no critiques - perfect
Perfect record
Great album full of all classics. No filler whatsoever
I genuinely don't understand how someone could rate an album a 1 for simply being sad. Wild stuff out here man... Favorite song: I Know It's Over Least favorite: Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others Knew before: yes - an album that has shaped my music taste
Bigmouth Strikes Again The Boy with the Thorn in His Side Personal Favourite: There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
The critics weren't lying
The Smiths are finally clicking for me. It took a couple of listens just focusing on Marr’s guitars and then by that point Morriseys vocals meshed much better against the music than the first time I tried this album. Rating: 4.8
The Smiths is one of those bands that, every time I listen to them, they get stuck in my head for the rest of the day. Although this album is considered one of the best of all time, I think that’s a bit overhyped. It’s a really good album, but most of my all-time favorite songs from The Smiths are from different albums.
Poor Huw
Reminds me of the singer Morrissey
Rating: 10/10 One of the greatest albums of all time, what an absolutely breathtaking album. Incredibly beautiful, lush instrumentation and amazing production. A timeless classic. Favorite songs: pretty much all of them. Least favorite song: Vicar in a Tutu.
A classic of 80s indie rock that still sounds fresh today (unlike a certain man's political views)
It's The Smiths at the height of their powers. I Know It's Over is great, especially the second half. Cemetry Gates is a lively short one with great guitars and bass. The energy levels stay high as it transitions into Bigmouth with its memorable, jangly riff. The next riff, coming in with the verse, is even better. It's a frenetic, breathless track. There Is a Light That Never Goes Out must be the best song here, gloomy even for Morrissey, but with incredible vocals and strings bringing everything together. Some Girls is a brilliant closer too. Their best work? Maybe.
A clear ten out of five. Maybe even twenty out of ten. This is not just one of the best albums ever made, it is probably in my top three albums of all time. From the opening of the title track you get everything that makes this band so special. Sharp, fearless lyrics. Powerful, melodic music. Johnny Marr’s guitar playing is extraordinary from start to finish. The riffs are unforgettable. They are the kind you try to copy badly on a guitar in your bedroom because you simply have to play them. Every song feels essential. There is not a wasted moment. The melodies stay with you, the words mean something, and the whole album flows perfectly. It is packed with classics, and genuinely every track could have been a single. Favourite songs: Cemetery Gates and There Is a Light That Never Goes Out. Although you could make a strong case for any song here. Least favourite: None. Every track is a ten out of ten. Album artwork: Iconic. Instantly recognisable and perfectly in keeping with the band’s aesthetic
Oh my… One of the best albums of my late teenage years. I found myself crying to it often, especially to the hauntingly beautiful “I Know It’s Over.” Morrissey’s poignant lyrics, Johnny Marr’s catchy melodies, and Andy Rourke’s intriguing bass lines make this album a masterpiece of the alternative genre. Every song hits the mark perfectly. P.S. The cover features the iconic Alain Delon. What could be better?
I was a the Smiths fan back in the day (when I was an angsty teen like everyone else) so this one is unfortunately a 10/10 for me.
I don't know how they did it. They could say they had a 20-year-long bad dream, that they had no one ever, that dying by your side would be such a heavenly way to die, and somehow it's not cringey. It's amazing. This album is melodramatic, it's angsty and full of longing, it's packed with resignment and resentment, hopeless love and hopeless living. All the good stuff. I'd probably skip "Vicar in a Tutu" but otherwise every song is a banger. Love The Smiths. This album is incredible.
Loved it!
Goddammit. After all this time, I still know all the words. 500,000/5
I couldn't turn it off great album
GOAT
Quite literally a perfect album.
Likely the best Smiths album. There is a Light… especially. 9/10
Not nearly as bad as I had expected, my biggest prolonged exposure to The Smiths was David Fincher's The Killer and I didn't mind it there but wasn't sure if it was something I would go out of my way to listen to. On my first listen through which I tried to avoid interrupting, I was definitely left with the impression that the album was mostly a sad and mopey affair towards the middle and end of the tracklist. When I was going back through and paying more attention to the individual songs my opinion changed a little and felt that there were definitely some songs that added a bit of levity to an otherwise delicate and moody album. Even with the few songs that did sound like already treaded ground, the songs themselves were not bad. There was also a lot of humour in the album, morbid or otherwise which was fun. That line about the double decker bus was certainly something. Highlights - The Queen is Dead The titular track fucking rocks, felt distinct from the rest of the album with just how traditionally Rock & Roll it felt compared to the rest of the album (Bigmouth is maybe the only song I feel was in line with this track). Why couldn't Sonic Youth have the same restraint this song does with using the whammy bar to close the song out? - Frankly, Mr. Shankly "I want to catch something that I might be ashamed of" Was Morrissey a bug chaser? Goofy fucking song (not derogatory) - I Know It's Over Probably my favourite of the more moody side of this album. Morrissey has an interesting way of singing, he has this voice of a cunty yodeler. The kind of thing you would expect some obnoxious bard you're not supposed to like to have in some fantasy setting. But have to begrudgingly appreciate his talent - Never Had No One Ever Again, kinda getting into familiar territory from this point forward but still a nice song. The part with the whistling was nice and eerie - Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others BBW/Architect Anthem. The Guitar on this song is fantastic and had me jamming out to a track I would probably otherwise just laugh at. I suppose that's not necessarily a bad thing, it was nice to end on a more fun track too.
Everything I listen to this album it's like the Vince McMahon meme, where I'm like, this is what a 10 sounds like, no wait this is, no wait this is. With each song until Vicar in a Tutu. Crazy that this ain't even their best imo. 10/10 Fav tracks - All - 1 Least Fav - Vicar in a Tutu
A fantastic listen from start to finish, The Queen Is Dead gives an opportunity for every member of the band to stand out. The lyrics hit me right, the vocals are next level, Matt’s guitar work is only matched on Strangeways. The Smiths made four albums and they’re all solid gold. The songs that I find are weaker (Frankly Mr Shankly and Vicar In A Tutu) are still supremely listenable. Giving this 5 because it would be a pisstake for me to try and dig this down to a 4 for the sake of ‘critique’, I can listen to any of these songs ten times in a row and not get sick of them. I really don’t have a whole lot to say other than I love this album. Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others is one of my favourite songs ever, an anthem for tit guys.
My 6th form sound track.
Still a wonderful album.
Once I made a mistake and took 'The Queen is Dead' CD to a car. Songs about dying in a crash make terrible driving sountrack, I do not recommend.
Every time I listen to The Queen Is Dead, I learn to love it more. When I first heard it in early high school, I was a bit too closeted and immature to appreciate it, but as songs like “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” became hipster chic, I slowly came around to the singles by college. By my mid-20s, I could fully admit that this was a classic, very good album, with a couple sour spots. Today, though, I think I might fully be in love, 110%. Like, it might be one of the best albums I’ve ever heard. Ignore Morrissey’s flamboyant, obnoxious lyrics, even though I unfortunately have to admit I relate to them as a flamboyant and obnoxious individual myself. The music on this album is masterful. The way Johnny Marr composes a song is elegant, with no moment of excess. It’s intricate and detailed, and while those terms get thrown around a lot in pop music, I think the songs on The Queen Is Dead not only warrant their use, but are the textbook definitions of those words. It goes beyond “the perfect pop song” and just enters into “the perfect song.” It helps that The Smiths have an incredible, *incredible* rhythm section – so in sync, perfectly supportive yet still interesting bass lines, dynamic drums with unexpected but fitting fills. And then back to Morrissey – this album is so goddamn good, I almost don’t give a fuck that he is who he is. Does “Vicar in a Tutu” almost invalidate the praise I’m vomiting here? Potentially. But it’s not a bad song, or maybe not even a lesser song; it’s just a hokey song, and like, okay, that’s ‘80s era indie music for you, y’know? Plus every great album has one bad song, right? (See Example A: Thriller) Everything else on here is an 11/10 song, though. Like, some of the greatest songs I’ve ever heard. At this point, “There Is a Light…” is probably my least favorite song on here, and it’s one of the greatest songs ever written. This is just one of those records where you find a new favorite every relisten. Today it’s “I Know It’s Over,” but last year it was “Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others,” and before that it was “The Boy with the Thorn in His Side,” and next week it’ll be “Frankly, Mr. Shankly.” What can I say? This is flawless, and has only gotten better with time. I love it, and I feel no shame admitting that.
Late to the Smiths party, I’m glad I finally got there in the late nineties. Lyrics & music that’s instantly recognizable. Stevie & Johnny burned bright, moody & all.
Great one
already know this one and it's good.
Thoughts before listening: I really like the Smiths although Morrissey has become a bit insufferable over the years. All of their albums tend to run together to me, so I don't really have any thoughts on this one in particular, but I know its really good. In general the Smiths put out some of my favorite 80s albums. Review: Morrissey's lyrics and singing style gets all the press with the Smiths, but I really love their music. Johnny Marr was a very inventive guitarist, and the bass lines are high in the mix doing a lot of heavy lifting on the melodies. There are some absolute classics of 80s alt rock on this album including "The Queen is Dead", "Cemetry Gates", "The Boy With the Thorn in His Side", and "There is a Light That Never Goes Out". 5-stars
Pure gas!!! Better than MIM.
Peak Smiths. Shame about Morrissey
Uno de los mejores álbumes de los '80s británicos sin lugar a duda. El sucesor del LP "Meat Is Murder" está lleno con algunas de las canciones más icónicas de la fugaz carrera de The Smiths, en 37 concisos minutos de puro pop introvertido y alternativo. Para algunos, el mejor álbum de la banda. Sumamente recomendable e indispensable, sobre todo para los seguidores del subgénero del jangle.
One of my favourite albums of all time. Every tracks works. Morrissey’s lyrics and vocal delivery are deliciously hilarious. He’s a comic genius like Marilyn Monroe and Maggie Smith.
Obviously this albumn is gonna be here, pretty often consider as one of the best album of all times. The Smiths here perfectly manage their status at the times, with a veryu controversial album (Meat is Murder) an take that hype to create a more pop oriented album but still very outsiuder and provocative. The iconic cover is a picture of Alain Delon in a movie called L'insoumis, and i think its their best cover. The album started with the title track The Queen is Dead and is an anti-monarchy song wich was pretty controversial at the time, On this song, the drums is really the cornerstone of the song in my opinion. Frankly Mr Shantly is pretty different of the other track, with a happier sounding musicality, but honnestly i dont really like it. I know its over is another constrats with the previcous track, more slow and about loneliness and desperation. pretty good No on ad no on ever show the Smiths at their best, when they are sad and desperate. Cemetery Gates, despite its title is pretty happier, again the smithsd are not always good when the songs are happier, but its not bad either. Bigmouth Strike again is also pretty up beat and have pretty cool lyrics The boy with the thorn on his side is a prefect Smiths song for me, and up beat riff, lyrics about loneliness, despaeration or desire for love in this case, with a very long title. On of the best on the album, apparently on of Morrissey's favorite. Vicar is a Tutu is an enjoyable track, happier with lighter lyrics wich is not always good for them, but in this case is pretty good. Even tho i'm not sure what the song is about. There is a light that never goes out, is another perfect Smith song, for the same reason, but time time its just their bes of all their discography i think this song is their best. Just of the chorus, Johnny Marr Guitare and Morrissey voice is so great, a song about and love and death and depression is just exaclty what the smiths are. Some Girls Are Bigger than other is my favorite on the album, just sarcasm/humour in the Smiths manner, the riff is the bets on the album. I alwats like the fade effect in the intro, i don't know why but i like it. I think the song mock the mans way to percived woman in all of history. This album is mostly due to the genius of Morrisey and Johnny Marr song writting, and his voice and the other guiate make it a truly unique album.
my favorite Smiths album although I usually listen to Louder Than Bombs which is their greatest hits. Several of the songs on here are also on that.
Sensational. What an album. The unique vocals of Morrissey, brilliant lyrics and that fabulous guitar sound that Johnny Marr produces. One of my favourite bands and always will be. Simply brilliant 👏
Wow. The Queen is actually dead.
Look - I get the Morrissey hate. He’s a massive wanker to use the UK parlance of our time. BUT - this fucking record slaps. Not a bad note in it. Really just mopey hit after mopey hit.
Another perfect album
one of the albums of all time sorry
own
I personally would include ALL their studio albums on this list. This may be their best.
morrissey has only become more crazy and polarizing with age, but damn I enjoyed this album. this is peak smiths for me - the songs are sad boy new wave on the surface but have some interesting lyrics and moving tracks. there is a light that never goes out is my favorite song of theirs and I'm glad to finally spin into this album. favorites: frankly mr shankly, I know it's over, cemetry gates, bigmouth strikes again, the boy with the thorn in his side, there is a light that never goes out, some girls are bigger than others
The Smiths is one of those bands that, every time I listen to them, they get stuck in my head for the rest of the day. Although this album is considered one of the best of all time, I think that’s a bit overhyped. It’s a really good album, but most of my all-time favorite songs from The Smiths are from different albums.
Already listened to this one! "The Queen Is Dead" is an indie classic. Some of The Smiths' best performances are on this one. Morrissey is an awful person outside of music, and that's a shame, because he is an cool singer. Johnny Marr is one of my favorite guitarists. That album cover is classic. Most of the tracks on this album are fucking fantastic! First time I heard the album, I didn't give it that much praise, but after 2 or 3 listenings, I finally get it and I fucking love it! The title track opens the album. I love the usage of "Take Me Back To Dear Old Blighty" at the beginning, but most of the song is cool, from that drum intro, to Morrissey's baritonal vocals, to those lyrics. This is a favorite of mine. "Frankly, Mr. Shankly" is a short one, but I like its meaning, and I like the part from 0:39 seconds. "I Know It's Over" is my most favorite song on this album. I love the vocal progression. The lyrics are so meaningful to lots of people out there. "Cemetry Gates" is an up-beat one, but the imagery of the lyrics is a dark one. It was my most favorite for a while, it's still a favorite of mine. I fucking love "Bigmouth Strikes Again"! That's all I can say "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side" was the first single for this album, and for good reason. It's a dance-y one. (And I apologize to the people reading my reviews for not being that good at giving reasons on favorite tracks) "Vicar In A Tutu" is a little underrated. I love the meaning of "living life however you want". "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out"...what else can we say about this one? Other than that it's a classic! One of the best love songs of all time! One of my favorite songs of all time! The most popular Smiths song, but I am not mad at it! It absolutely deserves it's popularity and praise! And here is the album closer, "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others". I like this song, it's energetic, and I like the chorus. Overall, fantastic album! A representative album for Manchester! Near perfect album, but "Never Had No One Ever" is my least favorite. One of the best 80s albums. My favorite Smiths album (just like other people's favorites)! An album worthy of it's praise! You get something from these 10 tracks in nearly 40 minutes. Each song is it's own world. Check this one out if you haven't yet! -favorite songs: all of them (except "Never Had No One Ever") -least favorite song: Never Had No One Ever
I am a much bigger Johnny Marr fan than I am of Morrissey but Morrissey has some of my favorite moments of his on this record. The hooks they wrote on this album are incredible and this is a constant listen for me.
Really brilliant musicianship - I'll average it out as 5* because it is really impressive. I think I preferred meat is murder, but that's a taste thing. Also There is a Light That Never Goes Out is worth a star by itself lol.
Amazing album that transcends genre. A+
Difficult to overstate the cultural significance of this album for people of a certain age. The slow burn influence was the normalisation of homosexuality. These were gay love songs that nonetheless resonated with straight listeners. It’s one of the all-time great albums because it changes the way you see the world. Not a wham-bang instant revolution, but a gradual integration of gay and straight emotional life. I know it’s currently fashionable to hate on Morrissey, but he created the more tolerant world that we’re now living in. All the songs are amazing in their own way, but the standouts are: Cemetry Gates, Bigmouth, The Boy With The Thorn In His Side and There Is A Light. If I had to choose a Desert Island track it would be Cemetry Gates, but if I had to pick a single track to encapsulate what this album is all about it would be The Boy With The Thorn In His Side.
Lovely
Morrisey descubre que existen las watonas PD. CABROS LA REINA ESTA MUERTA RWAAAAAA!!! PPD. Frankly Mr. Shankly besto song