The Queen Is Dead

There's no criticism of music that I hate more than "overrated", because it's such an easy word to throw at any release that's even mildly popular among any demographic, and it's so often completely devoid of meaning or substance. That said... sometimes a shoe fits. Unfortunately, I really, truly do not get the hype for this one. Instrumentally, it's fine - Johnny Marr's guitar playing is a highlight throughout the album. I found Morrissey's voice annoying at first, though I did get used to it by the end of the album. But something about it just doesn't really come together for me, certainly not enough for me to see why it's so universally acclaimed, or rated #40 of all time on RateYourMusic, or the like. I also despise Morrissey and have nothing but bad to say about him, but that doesn't even factor in here. Just a really puzzling conundrum for me.

It’s fine. Nothing special. Definitely not one of MY greatest albums of all time. Probably not in my top 500. I will forget everything about this in a few weeks except that other people like it a lot for some reason.

After hearing all about Morrissey being a shit person, I'm glad to know that his singing also straight up blows. I won't have to justify liking The Smiths today! Unfortunately much of the instrumentation here goes really hard; shoutout to Andy Rourke bringing some killer bass. Standout: Cemetry Gates • Bigmouth Strikes Again • There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

I hate using the term overrated but someone please, please, PLEASE tell me what there is to see in this album for someone who did not grow up listening to it. First and last songs got my attention and then it was like I spent 30 minutes listening to the same song over and over in between.

I really like The Smiths. Partly for nostalgia, partly because I appreciate the musicianship. I realize it is not for everyone, but what music is? I also realize the lead singer is quite controversial for many.

A classic, their best, but still held back a bit by some lacking moments

already such a classic but couldn’t give it 5 bc it wasn’t unexpected

Vocals are not very imppresive-bad at times(whiny, annoying), instrumentals are groovy, lyrics are interesting and very varied in terms of quality(some good lines, and some questionable). (Not a huge fan overall of The Smiths but okay album)

I adore this record and is in contention for my favorite by the Smiths.(The other being Louder than Bombs). I love every song on this album but if I had to pick three favorites it would be; I Know it’s Over, Cemetery Gates, and There Is a Light That Never Goes Out. This record gives me such vivid memories of a low point in my life when I was spending way too much time at a local dive bar.

i hate morrissey and british people

10/10 just for Cementary Gates which are a theme song to my original book lmao

Fantastic album through and through Listened to it probably 5-6 Tiny’ times

Also a bit boring but some nice songs.

Some songs were great and groovy, I remember the first song was boring, i think the middle/end tracks were good

Solid smiths. Some more or less problematic songs, though

Not my favorite.

I get the hate for Morrissey but, what can I say? I’m a sucker for a jangly guitar.

First listen Saved 7/10 Top track: Bigmouth Strikes Again

I don't like the Smiths!

The smiths make music that is mostly sad and lonely but Morrissey is self aware enough to add touches of self deprecating humor sprinkled throughout the album Like echo and the bunnymen and Bowie I came to the smiths late, and love all three now I don’t actually own this album so this is mostly new to me , I’m surprised that it’s not actually up to the standard of the albums that I own - but then Cemetery gates comes on and proves me wrong, and then it’s followed by bigmouth ( although I prefer Chumbawamba’s song of that name ) Back to the good old days when Morrisey wasn't a complete cunt (Not sorry for using the most apt word) Marr & Morrisey at their height here, Morrisey's poetry and Johnny's searing guitar licks. Gets better with each listen but still has a weaker opening than I expect . Mr Shankly is a great song but it sounds little to like a jaunty Salvation Army song that at the beginning strays too close too gimcky Before it settles to be great . That 5 seconds is enough though to prevent the 5 stars

J'ai eu un peu la flemme d'écouter celui ci. Pour moi, les smiths rentrent dans la catégorie de groupes que les mec sexistes qui se croient super dark, deep et différents écoutent (radio head, pink floyd ect). Le genre de gars insupportable qui te dit "Oh t'aime cet artiste ? Nomme 5 chansons dans l'album démo quand le groupe n'était pas encore au complet. Oh t'aime pas cet artiste ? C'est probablement parce que tu l'as jamais écouté correctement, t'écoute des artistes qui disent pas des trucs profond après tout". Des Smiths, je connaissais que "Please please please" et "Heaven know I'm miserable now" (hilarant ce titre d'ailleurs : moi aussi je cherchais un travail, j'ai trouvé un travail et dieu sait que je suis misérable maintenant). Cet album m'a étonné quand même. Je m'attendais à tomber dans un gouffre de dépression rock alternatif chiant mais il faut croire que j'ai pas la vérité absolue ! La première chanson était très cool, surtout l'intro avec ce sorte de sample. Même les chansons tristes sont très belles. Pas étonnant que deezer me dise que leur chanson la plus populaire sur cet album c'est "I know it's over" cependant. Je pense que les gens aiment les Smiths parce que justement leurs chansons tristes sont très bien faites et qu'elle les touche. Je trouve que la musique est très belle cependant. Et d'ailleurs je me suis rendue compte que je connaissais le refrain de "Bigmouth strikes again" et "There us a Light that never goes out". Il n’empêche que je ne peux pas prendre des paroles aussi self dépressive de la part d'un homme, c'est mon côté misandre, ça me fait rouler des yeux et danser à la fois. "now i know how joan of arc felt" non je pense pas que tu sais ce que ça fait d'être une femme de 19 ans brûlée au bucher parce qu'elle est une femme. Et les paroles très triste me font un peu marrer j'avoue "If a double decker bus crashes into us" ?? Hilarant. Je réitère cependant que j'aime beaucoup la sonorité du groupe. Chanson préférées : Never had no one ever, Cemetery gates

Not something I would listen to everyday, the lyrics were a bit funky to me. But I loved the guitar & drums.

Ik hou wel van dit album en van the smiths maar dit is niet mijn lievelings album van hun. There is a light that never goes out is wel echt een klassieker if a double decker bus crashes into us Fav: there is a light that never goes out Least fav: vicar in a tutu

Mid

Frankly Mr. Shankly...that felt like it was never going to end.

Lovely!

One of my most important albums of my 20s. Representations of feelings of angst, cynicism, depression, love from my 20s are in this album. Lyrically and musically magnificent.

one of my fav albums ever, every guitar riff on here is incredible and the drums are amazing (johnny marr e mike joyce miei eterni padri), every song has great lyricism, switching between parodic/humorous and more serious themes. i love the smiths

8/10

pretty good! not all the songs really did it for me but overall nice to listen to

The Queen Is Dead 3.4 Frankly, Mr. Shankly 3.7 I Know It's Over 3.1 Never Had No One Ever 3 Cemetry Gates 3.6 Bigmouth Strikes Again 4.1 The Boy with the Thorn in His Side 4 Vicar in a Tutu 3.6 There Is a Light That Never Goes Out 4 Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others 4 Score: 3.65

First album on the list we already own on vinyl ! Side two is better than side one???? maybe my favorite smiths album!

3 1/2 Stars: The Smiths have always been an enigma to me. They don't write earworms and avoid conventional verse chorus verse structure, so It's always been hard for me to "grasp" their music. BUT there's just something there that's a little mezmerizing. Maybe it's that Morrissey voice or that ethereal sound, but I'm kinda with it. Lot's of cheekiness in these lyrics. I guess what I'm saying is I'd never search out their music, but if they're on, I'd never skip a track either.

Ihan on musiikkia, mutta ei mikään jäänyt mieleen sen suuremmin. Paitsi viimeinen kappale on ihan höpö. Some Girls are Bigger than Others, mittee.

Meh. The beat is sometimes ok but dull lyrics and mopey vocals. Not my cup of tea

Fairly enjoyable

5/5 great album johnny marr n smiths master lass

Some great songs (Bigmouth Strikes Again) but sort of sags between them. Also Morrissey is a prat. Epic basslines.

10/10

Most songs on the album are 5 stars. Highlights are I Know It's Over, Cemetry Gates, The Boy With Thorn In His Side, Vicar In A Tutu, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others.

I was so excited when this album came up on the generator this morning. It's my favorite Smith's record, and the one that got me hooked on them back in the mid 80's. I'd heard How Soon Is Now on the radio, and liked it a lot, but the first listen to Bigmouth Strikes Again and I fell for them hook, line, and sinker. I got the album right away and devoured it, and I think every song is totally listenable. There are standouts-Bigmouth, Cemetry Gates, The Boy With The Thorn In His Side, and There Is a Light That Never Goes Out are all amazing, and I Know It's Over is one of the great songs ever IMO. I know Morrissey is an asshole, and I can't stand him as a human being. I'd never see him live at this point. But the music they made as a band, and some of his early solo stuff, stand out as some of the best from the 80's and early 90's for me.

I love this album so much

Dull music for people who think they’re interesting.

152 Splotify jura que me gusta The Smiths porque cada vez que me toca escuchar un disco de ellos lo tengo que intentar escuchar como 3 veces para terminarlo.

goated

SMITHS AYAYYA

Not quite my taste but not bad. Felt like the songs consistently started meh but built up into something I like more as they went on. "Frankly, Mr. Shankly" reminded me of Wunderhorse. It feels too much like "guy sings his poetry" to me. Getting through the songs often felt like a chore. I can see why "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" became so popular since it's a good one but I have a hard time picking a favorite because there wasn't any song that I truly loved.

I've been meaning to listen to this album for a while now, and I'm glad to have gotten it as my first album in this long journey. I very much enjoyed this one. Musically the album is excellent, with some of the band's best work on it, and while Morrissey's lyrics and vocal style are definitely not to everyone's liking, I'm quite partial to them (though I feel the need to point out that I find his personal beliefs as of recent reprehensible and a massive disappointment). All in all, I think this is a really solid album. I wouldn't call it the best album of all time as some have, but it's a very good one regardless and worthy of its status as a classic. A solid 4.5/5. RIP Andy Rourke

5/5

the queen is dead by the smiths/5

I just don't get on with these lads. "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" is okay.

I enjoyed the album, but there is one song that stuck out the most and it was, "I Know It's Over".

9.5

GOING IN: Neutral - I liked some of their stuff FAMILIARITY: Know a song or two SKIP RATE: Light skipper (1-2 tracks) REPLY VALUE: One and done DISCOVERY CURVE: Never clicked ALBUM ARC: Weak start, side B is better VERDICT: Bit underwhelming FAVOURITE TRACK: Cemetry Gates

Never been a new wave, post-punk guy but this one is probably the closest to getting me there. Not overly produced or awash in synth, not totally whiny, and some cool melodies. I’ll come back to this one and explore more. This is a great avenue into the genre.

I Know It's Over is truly among one of the songs of all time for me. The lyrics "It's so easy to laugh, It's so easy to hate, it takes guts to be gentle and kind" did something insane to my brain when I heard it at 15 and now at 19, it still does something crazy to me. That being said, this album is so nostalgic, it sounds like the summer I turned 16 and like being miserable and 15. Crazy that Morissey knows what that felt like. Unfortunately at my core I am one of those indie girls who loves The Smiths but I really do think you have to be a little melodramatic to get them properly. And there's nothing I love if not a little melodrama.

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

Songs are a bit too similar to each other imo, but the album is too polished and well made for a three, and the average song is quite good, so four stars it is!

Meh

just okay Would I listen again: no Deserves to be on this list: yes 3.4

As with Meat Is Murder, the music's fine, but Morrissey just wrecks it for me.

Nice sound but all songs sound a bit samey?

it's okay, the most famous songs from here are cool, the rest is okay

"I know it's over... it takes strength to be kind..."

Impeccable

Didn’t want to like this as much as I did, cool sound - looking forward to the other smiths albums

one of my favorite albums of all time

Any album that debuted a song as etched into my soul as There Is A Light would be very hard pressed to not be a 5*. This is an eclectic album for sure, but some gorgeous moments stood out - Bigmouth is an old friend to me, the title track felt like a warm hug, and Cemetery Gates felt wonderful again after truly resonating with it a couple of years back, despite hearing the album multiple times through when I was a teenager and desperate to understand how it struck a chord with some dear friends (shout out George and Henry). I think this time though, Never Had No One Ever really hit the spotlight, as well as I Know It's Over, which felt sublime. An absolute masterpiece. Which always will need to be caveated with - yes Morrisey, both the world changed and you changed. Euergh.

Morrissey is a whiney bitch but the album still very good, nice instrumentals

At some point I had to cover the Smiths for this list. They exist. Morrissey's self-indulgent personality ("oh woe is me" personified and of course it would be someone British) is the one factor that separates The Smiths from being one of the greatest. OF course that gets rid of a good half of their songs. Insert joke about how Queen Elizabeth actually died here except I'm like a year too late to make that joke.

Morrisseys voice starts to grind on me after awhile. Solid otherwise.

Easy listening, mid tempo, late eighties music. It's a vibe I can get with. But wouldn't be an everyday thing

This record was good. It's one of the better Post-Punk/New Wave records that I've listened to. Favourite Track(s): Vicar In a Tutu Least Favourite Track(s): Cemetry Gates

lame. annoying. depressing. Just bland proto-emo. So frickin whiny. Although some of the songs had riffs that reminded me of better songs. Cemetry Gates intro sounds like Sea of No Cares so thats neat.

Whiny sad boy music. Competent and some of the lyrics were enjoyable but overall this one’s pretty one note and bland. Disappointing

nid so mis

I felt like I had been getting gas lit by the Beetles fan boys for so long. All I ever head was this was the greatest band of all time, this band revolutionized music, and all I ever heard was 60’s pop bullshit. This was the first album I actually heard it on. This album doesn’t quite live up to the behemoth hype surrounding this group, but with any other band this is and easy five, so I have to be fair here.

chill, nothing amazing

Knowed

Duh

A Joy.

Love this. I remember when I first listened to it. I wondered why I hadn’t listened to the Smiths sooner.

Love. Zou zeker opnieuw luisteren

Feckin love ts album but still not a 5

One of the whiniest that Morrissey had ever been; but hey here we are still undeniably a goat album. A light that never goes out, will go down in history as a favourite of mine pretty much forever. It's better than the cow album

Last song is weird. Pretty much every other song is a 9 or 10 though (on first listen)

There are three Smiths albums and four(!) solo Morrissey albums in this exercise, and that is way too many even for 1,099 albums, but this is not one that I'd take off. I'm not a lyrics guy and I feel that you can enjoy 99.95% of music without knowing what the singer is singing, but Morrissey's lyrics are rewarding to look up. They're alternately very witty or picaresque in their conveyance of simple, urgently felt emotion. On top of it, the music accompanying them isn't simply a vehicle for the lyrics, and is enjoyable in it's own right. Many of the albums I've come across on this list have had me checking how much longer I had to go. The Queen Is Dead is the opposite. It leaves me wanting more.

I planned on listening to this record, but cancelled.

The band that helped create some of the most annoying people in every college dorm. Militant vegans. That aside, Johnny Marr's guitar work is so damn good that it kept Morrissey's whining from bothering me too much. A good listen.

And if a double decker bus crashes into us ... we would not have had heard this gem before we died.

A fines masterpiece

About half of the album is very familiar. Great guitar riffs. Humourous, moody and edgy in different places.

It was okay. Not the best thing I've listened to, not the worst. I'm indifferent. It's fine. I won't die if I don't listen to this again, but I wouldn't be angry if I heard this again.

Fav: There Is A Light That Never Goes Out Least Fav: Vicar In A Tutu My first Smiths album. When I first heard it I thought it was ok, but nothing special. Thanks to this website, that has changed

banger, have to listen again

Second Smiths album. I came into this exercise being aware of the Smiths, having tried them on a few times, and not really got along with them. If this had been my first introduction, maybe I'd have liked them better. A little more acoustics than what I remembered hearing on "Meat Is Murder," which I quite liked. Morrissey's melodies don't always agree with me, but I found this album had more moments that made me stop and listen. Generally an enjoyable listen, which was very welcome. I was kinda dreading listening to another Smiths album today and this was quite good.

Pfff jaja la canción que llevo en bucle.

Solid all the way through.

Happy that this is the last Smiths album I have to listen to, but disappointed that there's two more Morrissey albums.

I love The Smiths and this one hit me just the right way. So glad I had this given to me this morning.

If I ever need to be reminded what it feels like to be a moody and troubled youth this classic will always be there for me. One star off because Moz is a wanker.

Tämä on ainoa bändin levy, mitä oon ikinä kuunnellut. Tällä on ehdoton suosikkini ”Some girls are bigger than others”.

This was okay, none of the Smiths stuff I enjoy is on here really. "Frankly Mr. Shankly" and "Bigmouth Strikes Again" are good

Good

Another album I liked, having previously had a Best Of compilation I was familiar with a few of the songs. The standout songs were Bigmouth, Boy with a Thorn in his Side and There is a Light, no surprises there, they seem like everyone’s favourites. Most of the others are pretty good, a few non memorable tracks. Mozzie’s voice is a love it or hate it type, I’m ok with it for one spin through the album and then need a rest for a while. Marr’s guitar is great as usual, not sure if it was because I was listening in the car but the guitar mix seemed very low. Good listen, would happily listen again soon.

My favourite Smiths album.

even contemporary morrissey can't ruin this for me.

A few of my favorite Smiths songs on here. But its a Smiths album, and aren't they all just?

In my opinion, the lighter tones that this albums has, detracts from the album. I was hoping for a bit of a darker and striking album. It's still better than most post punk albums that i've heard, but I'm left wanting more (and not in the best way).

Solid four stars, another great discovery, a vibe for sure. I like the indie feel, his voice is pretty solid as well

The Smiths have a unique sound that is captivating to listen to and all of their songs on this album for the most part sound different from one another. “Bigmouth Strikes Again” and “There is a Light That Never Goes Out” are my favourites off of this one.

'There is a light that never goes out 'is great, and is a love song that I can get behind. This is a great album, and Morrissey-hate just seems stupid and influenced by other's opinions. His music doesn't preach hate and if I only listened to musicians with my politics then I'd be missing out a lot of good music from my life.

4/5 banger album

4.5! Maybe 5!

Really enjoyed it

The Smiths have never been a favourite of mine, in fact they tend to just annoy me. This album has a few tracks that represent good pop song formula for me, so I'll give it a 3

it was awful. Some good music on their and talented musicians then that soppy flat monotone starts and ruins the lot. I hate his voice and anyone who says they like this sort of crap is just too scared to say they dont

Oh no. Not him again. The band is okay, I just don't understand why or even how they worked with Morrissey. Annoying voice, annoying views. Possibly paints roundabouts. I saw an article about him and "can you separate art from the artist" using him as an example. Well, I thankfully wouldn't ever have that dilemma, because I'd never choose to listen to this.

Take the tracks from this album and split them into two five-song EPs: EP #1 - "The Queen Is Dead", "I Know It's Over", "Bigmouth Strikes Again", "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side" and "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" EP #2 - "Frankly, Mr. Shankly", "Vicar In A Tutu", "Never Had No One Ever", "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others" and "Cemetry Gates" One EP contains some of the most dynamic, innovative and moving rock and roll ever made. Johnny Marr's music is outstanding, the playing from he, bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce is sharp and powerful, and Morrissey's words, melodies and singing are some of the best of his career with the band. The other EP contains a pair of what are essentially novelty songs, each of which is as about as sophisticated as "Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour (On The Bedpost Overnight?)" or "Tiptoe Through The Tulips", as well as couple of throwaway tracks that have the thinnest lyrics Morrissey has ever committed to vinyl. As a lyricist, he can at times take a handful of lines and spin them into something with real emotional weight (e.g. "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want") but here he falls flat on his face. (The remaining track, "Cemetry Gates" is...just OK.) EP #1 is a keeper. EP #2 goes straight into the bin.

Smiths Goated

"Some Girls Are Bigger than Others". Oh you don't say...

I can't. I won't. Something about these songs give me the creeps.

3.5

6 This is the best album on this list IMO

My favorite Smiths album by far, such great songs. Completely original sound.

Je vais mettre de côté mon acharnement sur Morrissey étant donné que sa présence maléfique est diluée dans un groupe. The Queen is Dead est le premier album que j’ai connu du groupe et reste celui que je préfère.

On dirait la même toune pendant 35 minutes. Je pense que force est de constater que je suis pas un fan de Morrissey. Il y a de quoi d'intéressant qui se passe au niveau de la guit sur plusieurs tounes par contre. Un son à la The Edge. Je pense que je commence à comprendre c'est quoi du post-punk.

Je sais pas sur quel pied danser avec les Smiths! Clairement la musique est plus intéressante que les albums solo de Morissey. Johnny Marr est un guitariste très créatif; d’ailleurs en écoutant l’album j’avais envie de réécouter l’album de Modest Mouse auquel il a participé et que j’ai déjà écouté 100x. Mais la voix de Morissey, pas sur encore une fois. Parfois ça s’y prête parfaitement, parfois il vole le show sans raison. N’est-ce pas d’ailleurs la raison de leur breakup? Sinon j’aime beaucoup there is a light that never goes out, ça m’a rappelé l’excellent cover de Braid, que j’ai beaucoup écouté dans ma phase emo. Bref ça méritera une autre écoute mais c’est pas un coup de coeur automatique.

C'est mid. 2.5 étoiles

Never loved Morrissey. Maybe I was one or two years too young, or maybe he was too hard to “relate to” (relate to for boys into music means - “wants to be” or “wants to fuck” - neither of which was a very appealing proposition for me) Maybe I was too swept up in the popular trope of him being a fey miserabilist. For whatever reason, I was never “into” The Smiths. I liked the singles and Johnny Marr okay but never really went deeper. So sitting down to listen to this for really the first time the first thing that struck me was how rocking the bass and drums are. Well done! Obviously the jangle of Marr is the perfect complement to the whine of Morrissey. It is known. The album rattles along pleasantly with the occasional example of (what critics are contractually obliged to refer to as “mordant wit” cutting through. I actually enjoyed it much more than I thought it would, and am tempted to delve deeper into to the catalogue despite his unsurprising (to some of us) lurch to the right.

Don't like the smiths at all

32/1001 First listen. Another band where I find out the reason why I’ve never heard them before. Another album of good music but bad singing. That voice is just wild at times. Well it’s not for me anyway. It’s not a bad album, in fact it’s almost good but I’ll pass on this one. 4/10

Das Meisterwerk der Smiths – bissig, melancholisch, musikalisch brillant. „There Is a Light That Never Goes Out“ – eine der schönsten Hymnen der Popgeschichte: Sehnsucht, Tod und Liebe in einem Song. Die Zeile „To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die“ ist pure Poesie. „Bigmouth Strikes Again“ – ironisch, treibend, ein Klassiker des Indie-Rock. „The Boy with the Thorn in His Side“ – verletzlich und klanglich elegant, ein Vorgriff auf Morrisseys Solopfaden. 😊😊😊 Jede Accord ein purer Genuss FCK off auf M Altersstarrsinn 👍 🧠 Genialität Johnny Marrs Gitarrenarbeit ist ein Geniestreich – komplex, melodisch, nie aufdringlich. Morrissey liefert Texte zwischen Spott und Sehnsucht, die bis heute nachhallen. Ein Album wie ein literarisches Werk – düster, schön, unvergesslich.

Liked this album a lot. Not normally my type of music exactly but enjoyed the majority of the songs

Woof. Are we still supporting Morrissey?

solid

Good album! I see why people love it, but it's just ok. I would probably be much harsher if this wasn't the first smiths/Morrissey album I got

Love the Smiths (although I cannot remember a single song bc I discovered them already old), love this album. My girlfriend heard it in the background and said "This guy can't sing", but I like it.

115/1089 Better than the Morrissey solo albums i’ve been subjected to, not much to add really, it’s decent indie rock. M’s whiny tone is hit or miss as ever but the songs themselves are a bit better faves: Bigmouth…, There is a Light…, Some Girls…, The Queen is Dead 3 stars

Not a fan of the Smiths

I love the Smiths and I love this album

Album gets better as you progress through it.

It sounds like the Smiths..a bit of an acquired taste, but once you get into it it's a pretty cool vibe

The sound of a band of a band brimming with confidence and hitting their creative peak. Superb.

This is a dark, weird album. But it also is moving and the instrumentals are fantastic. Morrissey’s vocals get silly at times but it all still works so well. A masterpiece.

Truly a great album, I came with no expectations and it surprised me. Not a fan of Morrisey's vocals, but it fits well with the development of the album. Great songs and melodies, memorable and amazing.

5 stars

I really liked it! It's musically excellent as well as having great lyrics. I'm currently listening to the album for the third time today :)

I never thought I liked The Smiths, likely because I find Morrissey so very off-putting. I actually liked this, though, surprisingly. Maybe I should give them another chance, but then again, Morrissey can kick grass, so maybe not.

I love the soft way this album sounds.

Another one I haven't listened to in a long time. Probably their best, maybe less fun than earlier albums but the music and lyrics are peak. Still holds up for me, will have to listen to more Smiths now. 4.5 rounded up Heard before? Yes Owned: Yes: 29/106 (27%) Will I get? Maybe a better version

and with bees in her chest

Great album.

A must have album. No brainer.

The music is still great. Not a Morrisey fan. Wish he'd figure his shit out.

While listeinng to the second final song " if a double decker bus, crashes into us" it reminded me of my ex who kinda broke my heart so that sucks. otherwise it was alllllright not like amazing or anything

Yeah unfortunately as much as Morrisey sucks these days this album still really slaps

A little weird, fun, funky, trancy(?)

and if a double deckerrr bussssss i liked it more than i thought but i did know some songs beforehand 8.45/10 4/5

Haven't listened to this in several decades, but now I remember where much of my music started.

5/5 incredible album, not a single bad song on there

A classic that I Love

- I don’t separate the artist from the art. I used to really like the Smiths and Morrissey when I didn’t know what Morrissey was like, but I can't support them any longer. - I liked the Smiths more than Morrissey's solo stuff, but they both have tons of bangers, I won’t lie. - I also admit that this is a good album. I never really was into the Smiths or Morrissey albums because I find there is always a lot of filler. When I listened to them, I would reach for the greatest hits over any specific album. That said, this one is probably the best one I've heard cover to cover. - On the other hand, even if I wasn't boycotting Morrissey, this wouldn't be a 5 for me because I don't love The Queen is Dead, Frankly, Mr. Shankly (except for the instrumental middle part), Never had No One Ever, Vicar in a Tutu, or Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others. So, that's quite a lot of skips on a pretty short album.

3eme et dernier album du groupe proposé par le générateur. J'avais un peu apprécié 'Meat is Murder' (3/5), mais pas vraiment 'Strangeways, Here We Come' (2/5) ni les 4 albums solo de Morissey (tous notés 2/5).. Dans ce nouvel album j'apprécie la basse (+1), et la batterie dans les morceaux plus rapides (trop rares malheureusement). Mais l'accompagnement est gâché par le chant que j'ai vraiment du mal à supporter. Pas de seconde écoute pour moi. =>2/5

Frankly, Mr Shankly was cool but the album put me to sleep

The Smiths are bit of a guilty pleasure for me. I know that Morrissey is like top-10 shittiest people in music but he knows how to write a good pop song, even if they all start to have a pretty similar vibe (i.e. I'm mopey and horny but nobody gets me). What I really like about the Smiths is Johnny Marr's guitar work. That jingle jangle sound he uses is infectious and it's his hooks that really get stuck in my head. I think it's fair to say he's one of the most influential guitarists of his generation given how many other bands and acts have built off his work (The Killers, Arctic Monkeys, Radiohead, Oasis, etc.) The Queen is Dead seems to be the consensus pick for The Smiths' best album and I can see why, but I'd personally take their debut over this. Marr's guitar work is incredible and Morrissey turns in some great songs, but that raw energy they exhibited when they first burst onto the scene is missing if you ask me. Favorite Tracks: I Know It's Over, Cemetery Gates, The Boy With the Thorn in His Side, There Is a Light that Never Goes Out 3.5/5

When it comes to the 80s British post-punk stuff, The Smiths are the accepted favorite. Go to a Mexican wedding and ask for their thoughts on morrissey. As far as the most important groups of the era go, the Smiths are solidly my least favorite. New Order, The Cure and The Fall all clear. Morrissey and Marr make for a great duo, Marr is able to support Morrissey's singular lyrics and even cover up some of his indulgences with riffs that nest in your brain. Of course, Morrissey is a grating presence due to the events outside The Smiths (racist gay contrarian; common, exhausting type) though this doesn't really seep into the lyrics here so I'm able to partition Morrissey (Smiths) from Morrissey (autobio). That said, The Queen is Dead is really sharp, it's just not my thing especially relative to the rest of the era & genre. It's obvious to me why this one exploded the way it did - it's a great mix of a refined/mastered jangle pop sound by way of Johnny Marr while moving away from the more aggressive, dancier, and angular sounds of its contemporaries. While I like Marr's sounds a lot, I've always held that this causes The Smiths to have the least ambitious sound of the major bands. This might be part of the reason that every Smiths album loses my attention for six/eight minute stretches. That's not to say dictator Morrissey's sound changed all that much after splitting. On Morrissey, he's a really good songwriter. Funny, cutting, good visual imagery, well-read and clever. Of course, the Fall's diss track on him C.R.E.E.P. Is one of their funniest and cuts him down to size portraying him as a trend-chaser who thrifts personality from others; "His oppression abounds, his type is doing the rounds He is a scum-egg; a horrid trendy wretch" There's probably some truth to that but hell, he can cover for it well enough here.

Easy to listen to

Imaginative and confessional songs, interesting lilting singing that plays across shifting acoustics. Has a sense of melancholy, darkness, cutting acerbic humour but also compassion delivered in sing-song format that is unusual and cool. Has a swung feel to the instrumentation. Great guitar by Marr.

Someone should check-in on their singer. He seems sad.

Polnudki varem Smithse väga kuulanud. Hea leid! Bänd tegutses vaid 5 aastat, aga suutis selle ajaga kujundada tervet Briti muusikaskeenet ning vastanduda synth-popile oma rokipillide kõlaga. Ükski lugu siin pole selline "tahaks kaasa laulda" bänger, aga nad on hoopiski mõnusad kuulamised, mis ei kriibi kõrva isegi pärast mitut kuulamist.

9 So many gr8 songs

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

A little better than the 'Strangeways Here We Come", IMO. Was hovering around 3.5, but giving it a bump since this one has "Cemetry Gates" and "There is a Light That Never Goes Out".

-great album, hadn't heard the whole thing before but honestly it was amazing

So I listen to an album a day, or catch up when I miss a day or two, when I'm at my desk job. This album is really putting me to sleep 😴 which is a problem when I have to be alert in a high demand desk job (too many people calling and walking up to me for help). This is not the album for that kind of environment. Probably would be better if I were drunk as fuck.

It's got an art poppy vibe, with the 'refined' vocal sense and slightly hypnotic melodies. However, it feels very same same across the album, I didn't feel any push and pull in rhythm or melody. I suspect it's one for those who listen to lyrics

Not a massive fan of the smiths, but of all their albums, this is my preferred album, and it is fantastic. I do own it and it is packed with great songs and fantastically produced with the touch of Stephen Street. When I saw it in my listing my immediate thought was that it was a solid 4, but after revisiting and listening again, it is comfortably a 5. I know its over is the standout track. 5 Stars

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

Good tense Saturday evening album. Good gloomy Sunday morning album. The band sounds so tight on this one. ‘Bigmouth’ is my favorite Smiths song and one of my favorite songs ever. (I love Morrissey's self-aware juxtaposition of his own sturm und drang with Joan of Arc's.)

Guhhh. Gotta love an album that makes me laugh and cry and live in its world for a while.

Morrissey is a whiny bitch but god do I love it

Despite some winyness, a much better album than Meat is Murder.

Best Track - "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out"

Fuck Yeah Part II

4 stars I loved the Smiths first album and enjoyed their second when I was in high school. I didn’t get around to this one at the time. Little did I know it is their most beloved. I was familiar with “Frankly Mr Shankly” and “Bigmouth Strikes Again” but that was it. The booming introductory title track is a whole other level for them. The momentum doesn’t keep up and some of the slower songs drag on. But overall it’s a great record. I still prefer their self titled, but this is an improvement over Meat is Murder.

It's so hard for me to pick a favorite The Smiths record. This is the consensus favorite and probably their most consistent but I love so many of their singles from other albums. Iconic band, iconic record and their influence is still being heard today.

Good standard. Enjoyed it more than I thought i would.

Title works well now. Favourite Songs: The Queen Is Dead, I Know It's Over, Bigmouth Strikes Again, The Boy With the Thorn In His Side, There Is a Light That Never Goes Out. Least Favourite Songs: Vicar In a Tutu.

It’s the Smiths, it sounds like the Smiths. I’m not much of a fan but I get the appeal.

Gorgeous sounding album. Not perfect, there are some duds amongst these songs, and I don't have much of an emotional connection to it... but goddamn it's good.

I can believe two things at once... Such as "Morrissey is a twat" and "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" is an all timer... but Morrissey is still a twat...

Ended up less exciting as it went along. Hoped for more uniqueness.

A near-perfect album

Yesterday I had to listen to Meat is Murder and in my review I complained about all the Smiths/Morrisey albums I e had to listen to thus far. So of course today I got another Smiths album, this website is taunting me. But jokes on them because I actually liked this one. This album is way better than Meat is Murder. It had funny moments (give us money), and it was sonically just light years ahead of their sophomore album. If this is the only album by the Smiths/Morrisey I’d ever heard I’d think they were a pretty good band.

im not the biggest fan of the smiths, however some songs slap this is probably one of their better albums, so overall i give it a 4

Can see the influence they had on indie artists (and emo) later on. Nice melodies, unique vocals. Not exactly my taste, especially in terms of mix and instrument timbres. I could see it growing on me if I gave it more listens, that’s just first impression

I'm surprised that I haven't listened to The Smiths more given how much I love The Twilight Sad. Yeah it's pretty good.

Sian's score

As good as alternative/indie music can get. All killer, no filler. The rhythm section is deadly.

I understand why the top reviews are all one stars, but I also think it’s hypocritical to hate on Morrisey and then exclude all other big artists. The Beatles? All of them to some extent harmed their wives; Ringo beat Barbara into a bloody pulp to the point he thought she was dead. Led Zeppelin? Jimmy Page literally had 13 y/o Lori Mattix KIDNAPPED and RAPED and HELD HOSTAGE for YEARS. Like how do we not talk about that?? Morrissey is a boomer bigot spouting nonsense. He should be hated for that, but music fans love to praise WAY more problematic musicians and then turn around and act as if they have this high moral ground for hating Morrisey.

Generic Metal. Nothing to write home about.

A convert finally. My dislike of Morissey was so strong that I just didn't want to give The Smiths a chance, also as a Cure fan, this was just not up my street. Now I get to discover the 80's again with less judgement.

“Sweetness, I was only joking when I said I'd like to smash every tooth in your head.” Manchester’s dynamic duo- Morrissey and Marr brought their signature charm, hooks, and quite frankly Mr. Shankly, their ‘A’ game on this remarkable third LP!

Album, który poznałem dopiero półtora roku temu, ale w krótkim tempie stał się w pewien sposób formatywny dla mnie. I rozpoczął mój romans z muzyką Morrisseya. Peak zdolności poetyckich Anglika i największy triumf The Smiths. Każdy utwór jest lirycznie bogaty i muzycznie ciekawy, całość jest zróżnicowana, ale wciąż spójna. Przezabawne "Frankly Mr. Shankly" i "Vicar in Tutu", fantastyczne "Cemetry Gates", melancholijne "I Know It's Over" i "Never Had No One Ever". No i jeden z najwspanialszych love songów ever, czyli "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out", które na stałe wryło mi się w mózg. Gdyby nie ten ostatni utwór, to myślałbym raczej o czwórce, ale on w pojedynkę wynosi ten album o poziom wyżej.

Kind of loving it.

I like the smiths. I don’t love the smiths. But this is a great Halloween listen

they switch up the algo once and its a decent algorithm

It was a little slow to start, but I could see this album being good for slightly active background music.

I also have the 21st century breathing down my neck I kind of hate Morrissey’s voice, but I like everything else about the Smiths, but you can’t really separate the two because it does kinda work sometimes 3.5 stars rounded down.

I listened to this last week lol

Morrissey is nothing if not consistent. 3.5

Was alright

Man, it's fine. Smiths albums tend towards the center for me, I just can't seem to get into it for more than a track or so. If anything, I know a lot of my favorite bands enjoyed this.

Game over. I don’t want to play anymore. I woke up today just excited to listen to The Smiths again, by far the best album I have listened to on this app. In terms of a review I think this is the band who really and truly invented indie guitar music coming together for what is really the seminal indie guitar album. I could write for hours about the obvious great things about this album so I’m going to highlight the slightly less obvious but still ever so brilliant factor I noticed yesterday - Andy Rourke, although using heroin during this time. He is at his absolute peak, consistently overshadowed by Marr but not often is it highlight quite what a beast on the bass guitar you would have to be to keep up with Johnny, flawless all the way through. I would kind of summarise by saying that The Smiths are quite often thought of as inaccessible and overly intellectual but the two biggest moments of the album ‘I know it’s over’ and ‘There is a light’ are some of the most simply put beautiful summaries of life’s two most common themes friendship and heartbreak. Thank you The Smiths for this timeless bit of art, I love you forever.

In the modern era I think this has become pretty easy to jump on and criticise purely because of Morrissey, but if we’re being honest this album deserves its place as the goat of sad boy music. It’s the cliche indie boy record for a reason, and it’s because it’s that good. I like the themes of criticising the industry, feelings of loneliness and breakups or that you don’t fit in, and I think that those become so relatable that it justifies their popularity. I also like the sarcasm within the lyrics and the ability to poke fun at certain topics. Obviously Marr is brilliant throughout, and I think the best thing about them is how they can convey themes that don’t necessarily have to match the tempo of the melody, but still all fit together. I haven’t dished out a 5* rating yet, but if we’re being honest this is a record that is deserving of such.

This was my favourite Smiths album back in the day. I have gone off them somewhat since- mainly due me finding Mozza's vocals annoying and him being a tit. Some great songs on this album though: There Is a Light That Never Goes Out and Bigmouth Strikes Again the highlights.

The Queen is Dead Listening to the Smiths albums properly via this list, I’m constantly struck by how great Rourke and Joyce are, something I don’t think ever really registered when I listened to my Best Of back in the day. And I can see why this is considered their best album, it is great from start to finish, whether they're the songs I already know, Frankly, Mr Shankly, Bigmouth Strikes Again, The Boy With the Thorn in His Side, There is a Light That Never Goes out and Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others, or the rest, which I don’t (know). It feels more joined up in tone than some of the other albums, even if it does vary musically from high tempo like The Queen is Dead, and Irish flecked folk-rock like Bigmouth, to the more whimsical music hallery of Frankly, Mr Shankly, to the rockabilly silliness of Vicar in a Tutu, to the moving and stately There is a Light, to more classically maudlin songs like I Know It's Over or I Never Had No One Ever. They probably have better individual songs throughout their catalogue, but there’s not a weak track on here really, and melodically and vocally it's probably the most consistent of their albums we’ve had. Easy 5. ⚰️⚰️⚰️⚰️⚰️ Playlist submission: Bigmouth Strikes Again

36 minutes of near unadulterated perfection. Whereas Strangeways has a constant air of claustrophic miserablism, executed with melodic brilliance, this album has some real light and shade. The music-hall 'Frankly Mr Shankly', and rockabilly 'Vicar in a Tutu' is full of Morrissey's acerbic character observations, and some of the greatest lines he ever wrote. Then of course you have the big hitters, the frenetically catchy 'Bigmouth Strikes Again'; the pop-perfect and bittersweet 'Boy with the Thorn in His Side', and the devastating 'There is a Light'. Those three alone are enough to make this feel like a Greatest Hits, were such a concept compatible with The Smiths.

Since college, The Smiths have seemed like a band I should really like, but I’ve never fully gotten into them.

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

Not my favourite The Smiths album and Morrissey will continue to be a prick, but this brings me just as much as comfort as any other The Smiths album. They capture youthful melancholy so well

2.7

Better than I expected!

I always like the mood of the Smiths.

Top ten album of all time!

Like, it’s fine.

It's The Smiths. I don't particularly like them, but the album was fine.

One of the small handful of records I use as the measuring stick for a 5. It’s perfection. All aspects of the band are at the peak of their powers here.

Quite enjoyed this. Never really taken that much notice of The Smiths aside from singles and in clubs, but this album was good. Morrisey’s controversies interest me in that there seems to be a lot of ridiculousness surrounding him, but at the core of it he and the band really worked.

Taking me straight back to being a depressed 15 year old stomping around Brighton

ThI only thing I liked about this album was the song names.

Better than a 3 star but not quite 4. 3.5.

How can anyone listen to more than one track of Morrissey at a time?! REALLY not my thing.

good sound I've always liked morrisey voice. just maybe not my vibe currently.

How do we reconcile the sensitive feminine dandy of then, with the flag waving and dodgy views of now? The answer is you can’t.

Great Halloween vibes

Yeah....it's good

I'm not super familiar with this album coming into today's listening, and I'm also pretty distracted from some layoffs that they're doing at my job. I do like The Smiths in general, and Morrissey's voice is iconic (in a good way, imo). On a different day, I'm probably able to listen a little more closely and enjoy this album a lot more. Especially knowing that the lyric work is a highlight of listening to any Smiths song. For today, though, I did a partial re-listen just to make sure I didn't miss anything really great at the start of the album. From my listen today, I don't think I'd put this in the greatest albums of all-time. It's definitely a great album, and a really enjoyable listen, but just from where I'm at today, it's missing something special (and maybe that something special is just my attention). Favorite Song(s): Cemetary Gates, Vicar in a Tutu

No

Not good. Not good at all. 1

I had already listened to this album, but decided to relisten to it to more accurately convey my views, and honestly, I don't think it hit quite the same. I think its a nice album with some good songs and moments, but it just didn't quite land with me as it did. I still think it has some merit, so I'll give it a 9/10.

shit was good man, tho i did think it was one song too long. 4/5

good album, starts fast paced, then slows down, becomes more relaxing, then speeds up again and so on. the counter melodies of guitars and keys sound very pleasing. 4

Classic, but one I've struggled to find a way into. Just doesn't land an emotional punch for me.

Mastering is good but the music is monotonous. Each song kinda sounded the same except for a select 1 or 2.

10/10 I love me some sad boy music. 10-10-2025

Some songs were a little silly, but they were all very catchy and I find myself humming them even after listening.

Rating: 5/5 Short Review: A tragicomedy of manners set to perfect pop. Death, wit, and flowers — all pressed between the pages of a diary that’s been cried on. Favorite Track: There Is a Light That Never Goes Out — romantic nihilism turned into a singalong.

Although I wasn't familiar with any of the songs, I liked their sound.

Bangers bang. The other just sort of their way through.

The Good: This album is informative… The Bad: Nobody likes to be informed off someone’s death… The Ugly: Finding out that the Queen does not reference Morrissey… I am no fan of Morrissey. I find his singing style more annoying than Neil Young’s singing… go figure. The knowledge that The Smiths/Morrissey have 7 albums on the list is the only reason for me to get exited when I see this album as it means I’m 1 album closer to never having to listen to The Smiths/Morrissey ever again—unless, by accident, one of their songs is present on the soundtrack of a movie/tv show and I get side-swept… I just checked, this is my second Smiths album, and with the 2 Morrissey albums I’ve already been bored with, it means there are three left… So, if the three remaining ones are like this album, then I am okay with it as I actually enjoyed this album. Johnny Marr’s guitar playing is more than wonderful. It is it’s own storytelling mechanism, and one that provides a safe-haven away from Morrissey’s annoying voice. I will give the album a 4* to remind myself, at some point in the future, that there was a reason that The Smiths had such a massive following in the ‘80s! 4*

Not my favorite band by any stretch but I do like this LP very much. The Queen is Dead, Frankly Mr. Shankly, Cemetry Gates, Bigmouth strikes Again... some really good stuff on here.

I love The Smiths. The quality of his voice is outstanding. Love the way they mix it.

Always liked Jonny Marr’s guitar work and the bands musicality. But Morrisey - a waste of space. 1 star from me

The best Smiths album, and in some ways it gets quite close to a best of really. There are so many highlights, and it's fiendishly difficult to pick a fave from them. There's honourable mentions for the title track, Frankly Mr Shankly, I Know Its Over (I'm just listing every track now), Bigmouth, The Boy With the Thorn and Some Girls... but really, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out is such an extraordinary song. It's monumental, and yet it's light - even funny at times. It's one of those timeless songs that it's hard to believe was brought into existence by the same creatures as you and me. I'm not even going to use this review as an excuse to knock Morrissey.

4/5 Also not the first time I’ve listened to this album in full. Love this album though. ‘I Know It’s Over’ is so damn beautiful. ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’ hits every time. ‘Cemetry Gates’ gets me so hyped for some reason.

Very enjoyable. 4.

Couldn't get through this, his voice was worse than nails on a chalkboard to me

Not used to this kind of music, might like it the second time i listen to it

Not a huge fan of the smiths. Not a bad album though. Just not for me

Very good album

Very nearly a brilliant album. Morrisey’s voice and Marr’s brilliant guitar work are no doubt iconic and make for a distinct sound that clearly sets The Smith’s apart as a unique sound. Married with witty lyrics, a balance between happy/sad themes, and some standout tracks, this makes for an enjoyable album. I just feel that one or two of the tracks don't hit the same heights, leaving me to feel like there's just something missing to merit a higher score.

I hadn't listened to this album in a looong time. I enjoyed revisiting it, but there's a reason The Smiths never really made it into my collection. They're just not quite my thing.

I just loathe Morrisey's voice and I just love Johnny Marr's guitar. For an average band, this would kill the listening experience for me. But, The Smiths aren't average and, say what you will about his twee lounge singer act, Morrisey can write some damn fine lyrics. So, in the end, I very much like this album and will continue to listen to it.

This is the best Smiths album in my view. I can’t quite pull the trigger on 5 stars since my ceiling for the Smiths/Morissey isn’t quite that high. The run on this album from Cemetry Gates through There Is a Light That Never Goes Out is pretty great.

I can't stand Morrissey's voice and find the Smiths unbearably pretentious. Some of the music is pretty good, though.

4.5/5 - This is a helluva album from start to finish. The songwriting and melodies are really good, but the lyrics are the star of the show once you tune into them. The silly pretentiousness of invoking Joan of Arc and dead poets in the cemetery is classic, but it's the whole sentiment of Frankly, Mr Shankly that really drives this home for me. Rounding down because Morrissey is a douche.

Great

Love this album. Definately one of The Smith's greatest in my opinion. Lots of good, recognisable songs, which are already on my playlist. A classic stable, with pleasant melodies. Can't help but love it 5/5❤️

Perfect record

Solid listen! Fun instrumentals and good vocal work.

4 out of 5 One of their best. Great alternative 80s

yeah pretty cool

This is definitely the Smiths. I always feel like you have to be in the right mood for the Smiths, but when you are, they crush it.

Very good album overall. Stellar performances by all members of the band, each voice can be heard distinctly over the others, however they all can still blend into a beautiful mix. The entire record has a distinct sound that is quite enjoyable, and it kind of draws you in to the world of the band.

Witty, dramatic and melancholic. Favorite tracks: Bigmouth strikes again There is a light that never goes out

As much as the guy sucks, the music isn't terrible

Some of the music is ok but the singer sounds likes he’s going to cry.

This is the best Smiths albums that we've listened to on here yet, I think. Imo very cohesive and interesting. Features some of my favourite 'known' songs of theirs and a few in-betweens that I hadn't heard before.

I can't separate the Smiths from Morrissey, so this review can't be objective. I just don't understand the fascination people have with this pretentious twat. Nope

I needed to sit with this one for a few days before I was able to rate it, there are a couple of songs on this album that I listened to over-and-over in a pretty dark time a couple of years ago. Music has the power to us help feel our feelings, but I guess can also take us back to those feelings in a instant - which can be a good and bad thing! I wish I was better at talking out my problems, but I'm not, so I'm glad there is miserable music to feel miserable to. I'll acknowledge that Morrissey is a bit of a twat. Still, I quite like The Smiths. Fave track: There is a light that never goes out

I simply can't with the wailing. Best album of all time? Lunacy.

definitely one of if not their best

I had missed some 80 melancholy synth music and morrisey is certainly that

I first got Meat is Murder, early into doing this list project. I gave it a 3. Not bad, not great. Well shortly after that I started getting really into The Smiths, and thought I might have been unfair. Then I got Strangeways and gave that a 4. Since then I've been eager to get this album so I could give it the 5 stars this band deserves (particularly Marr). What a romantic and influential band. This album starts strong, and just gets better as it goes on. I particularly love the stretch from "Cemetry Gates" to "Vicar in a Tutu," though of course "There is a Light" is also deservedly massive. Anyway this album is wonderful. Must-listen #221.

A Smiths song is a nice change of pace. A Smiths album is far too long spent in the company of a miserable goth teenager.

I don't know why I cannot get into his singing. Music seems good enough but his presentation bags at me for some reason.

Oh goody, another Smiths album. How many are there on here?! Why were they so popular?! Alright I listened to it, and I keep coming to the same conclusion, their music is good, even the lyrics are decent. I enjoyed this one more than the meat is murder album, but I don't like his voice. I thought last album it was a weird effect or filter, no he just sounds like that. So I'm moving forward with the knowledge that I don't like Morrissey and enjoy the band. Because the bass lines and guitar in this is good. Time to look up Smiths covers and test this hypothesis. Frankly, Mr Shankley was a high point for me. It has a solid fart joke in there.

7/10

That was fine

Yes, it's that good b/c it's that funny, that visceral, that necessary, and that iconic. Wit is not wont to make you get up and do something, but the well-known equilibrium Morrissey and Marr strike, one between the cataclysmic and the blithe, not only establishes a will to live but an anti-capitalist drive to dismember the status quo. Lyrically, Morrissey is at his absolute best, letting the loners know it's more than okay to hanker for company, even or especially if it's a confounding thing to desire: 'And when you want to live / How do you start? / Where'd you go? / Who do you need to know?' There isn't a bad track on this relatively short release, but of course there are the highlights, and they're even better in the fold of an entire album. Superb.

Never gave them a real listen before. Really enjoyed

Not my favorite Smiths album but boy do I always love Johnny Marr's guitars.

I’ve never really seen anyone praise The Smiths without reservation. I’ve also tried many times to really get into them, but usually gave up along the way. This time I finally listened more carefully, and Johnny Marr’s guitar and Andy Rourke’s bass completely grabbed my attention. Even the gloomy atmosphere isn’t bad at all. And songs like I Know It’s Over and Never Had No One Ever get more addictive the more I listen.

Arguably the best Smiths album. Banger from start to finish

Pretty good.

Oh boy. More-issey - again not into his style. Meat is Murder is better but it’s all eh. 3.2

This isn’t the first time I’ve tried delving into The Smiths but unless they’ve got other albums on this list it’s likely my last. I wasn’t impressed by much here, but I guess it’s cool that so many people love it.

Wow, a morrisey album followed by the smiths! At least it gives me the full spectrum, I guess! I just struggle with Morissey. He is a little tamed by the better backing than his solo albums, but just doesn’t really do anything for me. Certainly more groove and melody than ‘Quarry’ but just never going to be my thing. Enjoy their classics and an okay enough album, that is of its time. But just a bit ‘meh’ about it. His wet and soppy vocals that I can just see him loving himself over. Urgh.