Strangeways, Here We Come

You should’ve seen the look on my face when this record got assigned to me this morning. I was ecstatic. After only 320 albums, I was about to cross The Smiths off the list. I’ve listened to the other two and this was the last. That meant the next 700 albums I had to listen to would be free from Morrissey’s dreary wrath. What a great fucking day. A few minutes later, a realization set in: “That fuck Morrissey has a solo career, too.” So I went over to the 1001 Albums Wikipedia page and looked at the “Artists” section. (This a good resource for when you want to feel like shit about how many more Elvis Costello or, in today’s case, Morrissey records you have to endure). “There can’t be more than one or two of his solo records on the list…not ideal, but it’s manageable,” I thought. There’s *four*. And I haven’t listened to a single one of them. Fuck. Someone put me out of my misery.

I don't want to sound hyperbolic, but I think I regret the years I spent hating on The Smiths more than I regret some of the bad relationships I've had.

I love "The Queen Is Dead" as much as everyone else but this is their best album. Also fuck Morrissey

Every moment I hear Morrissey makes every bone in my body go in to attack mode and it upsets me

Jangle Pop wankery. Sounds like an expensive 4track cassette demo, and i will never understand people's obsession with Morissey. Even Johnny Marr couldnt save this mess, and if this is heralded as the BEST Smiths record, I shudder to imagine what the other ones sound like. No standout tracks. Id give it zero stars if I could.

Was never really a Smiths fan, but now I can appreciate the musicality of the band. I still think that Morrisey is one of most overated singers of all time though.

Hey, this is the first album of this project that’s made me want to write a novel!! Death of a Disco Dancer may have just changed my life? Every song on this album resonated with me in some way. I was superficially acquainted with The Smiths before and always enjoyed what I heard, but listening to an entire album from start to finish has hit me so much harder. I can hear SO many ways they influenced so many of my favorite bands and artists, especially from my Brit pop/rock days in the early 2000s. As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized that most of my favorite songs and sounds are at least a tiny bit dark (i.e. Susanne Sundfor, and some of Radiohead’s and Punch Brothers’ more experimental stuff). And while the songs on this album are very catchy and upbeat, they still have little dark underlying tones of melancholy, sadness, and disillusionment (not just lyrically). I favorited this album on Spotify, will absolutely revisit it, and look forward to exploring The Smiths’ discography more extensively!

some folks here are saying that he sounds like a whiney wanker. I can't disagree

The third Smiths album on this list and thank god this shit is done and over with. I've concluded I just do not care for this band. They write the same damn song over and over again and Morrissey's singing never changes. Once you've heard a couple of songs you've heard them all. For such an acclaimed band I was hoping that maybe they had variety but they found one thing and did it pretty mediocrely. Only thing I don't look forward to is there are 3 more Morrissey albums. Seriously why do people fellate this group and members so much? They are one trick pony. I would give it two stars but Girlfriend in a Coma is a great Douglas Coupland book so that's a plus in my book. 2.5/5

Well, turns out I don't like the smiths. at least now i know

I loved this and no longer know who I am.

Just felt very pretentious all the way through. Can't stand Morrisey's voice. Hard pass.

You can never be quite sure if it's overly serious, just regularly serious or actually making fun of everyone and everything. However, you can dance. It's about death, but it's catchy.

A meticulously crafted masterpiece of melancholy.

Every song is great and about half of them are perfect. The Smiths can never be 'cancelled'.

A fantastic album, from the vocals to the layered instrumentation everything fits together so well. Truly ahead of its time and certainly laid the groundwork for countless musicians to follow.

I love this album. Great guitar lines and riffs, drum fills, orchestration and production, and interesting lyrics. Flows well from beginning to end noting their influence on future britpop bands and their own 60s influences, I love this album.

Really good! Not what I expected. Is this New Wave ?

Surprisingly, this album lacked the non-sensical rebellion of their earlier work. Maybe because Morrissey was just sort of along for this one, a way less self-absorbed version of him perhaps? Regardless, the album is actually decent in the background in a much less "What's that noise?" way and more of a 'Hey, what's this?". When the realization though that it is a Smiths album comes across, the reaction will be more surprise than borderline disgust at least.

Fantastic way to end an all too short run.

Love The Smiths, but fuck Morrisey's stupid ass. Great album.

Depressing as always.

I hate the smiths

I remember going out purchasing this for my 14th birthday in 1987, a couple of months after it had come out. I was already a big Smiths' fan and since it had been announced that this was to be their final album, I had all the emotions when buying it. The whole ordeal must have really left an impression with me because I can clearly remember everything about the experience, including bringing the vinyl home and putting it on for it's inaugural listen. "Girlfriend in a Coma" played almost every week on MTV's 120 Minutes that summer, along with "Stop Me if You Think You've Heard This One Before" and I was anxious to hear the rest of the material. I've listened to it on the regular since that day. I deeply love this album. The songs have imprinted themselves on me forever and, while a definitely brooding and sad album, it usually puts me in a good mood. It's one of those albums that I really need to just listen to the whole work instead of piecemeal songs. Top Tracks: *Death of a Disco Dancer (one of my favorite songs of all time) *Unhappy Birthday *A Rush and A Push and The Land is Ours *Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me

One of the greatest album titles of all time and unlike many other albums, something truly unique. "Stop me if you've heard this one before" is all time classic material but "Girlfriend in a coma" is Moz and Marr at their bleak, melancholy best.

know it backwards, grew up with it and love it

I discovered The Smiths by youtube recommendations, so I had no expectations going in. I loved them from the start. From Morrisey's insecure vocals to the introspective lyrics that cover social themes that we can all relate to. Absolutely love the rock sound that is not overbearing, leaves room for the vocals to take lead, and varies with each song to provide a unique experience. Of all The Smiths albums, this last one is their best produced piece that demonstrates their variation and talent. All the songs are great, but I did prefer songs from the rest of their catalogue that dive deeper into the narrator's conflicted emotions.

meh

I am not listening to this Nazi prick and his shite band. Never have (even changing the radio station if they come on) never will. I hate this band, especially their arsehole of a singer, and I always will. *googles* how to give a rating below zero

I can’t believe this album made a list of albums I must listen to before I die. I think this album actually brought me closer to death. As some vocalists have a range of approximately 3 to 4 octaves, Morrissey has a range of about 3 or 4 half steps on the chromatic scale. Shoot me now.

Tedious indie drone

So the second weekend of August 2024 is coming and it is #day1 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge. This is the first time I got to listen to this album back to back, and what a revelation it is to me! The Smiths' swansong... I simply loved it. Not having listened to The Smiths in a while, to me, this record encompasses what the band stood out for—jangly post-punk, the melody, the witty melancholy... But it's probably the drums that make me want to remember this particular album's sound. So spacious and breathy, wow! Such a joy to have experienced it now. I wouldn't mind a vinyl version, to be honest with you. Looking forward to #day2.

I think this is the best Smiths studio release, though it seems to generally be considered their worst. Johnny Marr and Morrissey are both at their best, the lyrics are at their most humourous and self-pitying (which, let's face it, is what Morrissey does best), and it has some of the best hooks in the Smiths discography. Johnny Marr's guitar playing on Death of a Disco Dancer is a real highlight. I think it also has more experimentation with their sound compared to the others, which makes me think their next album would have been something somewhat different, though unfortunately we'll never get to hear that. I can see why others would dislike this. Some of the songs are a bit weird (like the country rock song that's under 2 minutes), and Morrissey is definitely at his most dramatic and excessive here. Also credit to Andy Rourke, the most underrated Smith, for his bass playing.

For me this is their best album. Where it all came together. I've never been the greatest Morrisey fan, or even the Smiths to be honest but I like a few of their tunes and this one has the best number of their hits concentrated. Well put together and quite slick in places Plus I think people like to kick Morrisey which is unfair.

How good is Johnny Marr?

Its kinda funny. People have been telling me for literally years to listen to the Smiths and here they are, on Day 4 of a 1001 day challenge, to let me know how much I've missed from not listening to them over the years! A real outstanding album. The instrumentation is spot on and the lyrics and melody dance between serious and tongue and cheek from song to song. I was going to list all my favorite songs from the album but then realised I was just typing out half the album. I will say after my first two listens through the album, my favorite is probably Last Night I dreamt that Somebody Loved Me. But yeah, def got some Smiths catching up to do now! 5/5

A fine swansong for the best band of the 1980s. well the best band from the 1980s that comes from Manchester anyway...

I already knew and enjoyed a couple songs by The Smiths, but none of them are on this album. Regardless, I enjoyed the whole album a lot. It's just really nice and relaxing in a good, mellow, quality darkish synth-pop way. After it finished, I gave it a second spin right after. Great for an otherwise stressful day.

Moz is an asshole, just getting that out of the way upfront. But he’s not w/o talent, and incredible wordplay. Plus Johnny Marr is amazing. Going into this w/ fresh ears. I always found the Smiths interesting in that they seemed to exist like New Order, where their singles were huge, but didn’t appear on the albums. And yet the albums were amazing and sold very well. That’s a fascinating, I guess, strategy? It only works b/c even the non-“radio hits” are just incredible. I saw Morrisey live at Riot Fest in 2016. He managed to convince a major festival in Chicago to stop selling sausages and other meat products about an hour before his set, or I guess he wouldn’t go on. He played 45 minutes of weird YouTube clips before he took the stage. His voice still sounds great, but fuck that guy. Smiths are always 5, regardless of his bullshit. I might not be so kind to his solo albums ( though I’ve heard good things about the first few). Whatever, this is a music review site, so I’ll review the album, not just politics. But FUCK his politics. Sorry ass bastard, he sounds like someone that’s never been laid

About bloody time. The final studio album from the greatest band of the 80s. The marriage of Marr's riffs and Morrissey's lyrics here are some of their best. Its probably my second favorite Smiths album after queen is dead. But there was a happiness when it popped up this morning that only a truly great album can give you. No Skips on this one. Maybe it could be argued that the last two tracks aren't quite up with the soaring heights of the rest of the album but its getting a 5 anyway from me. 5/5

Foundational band for a lot of other stuff I like today. Have listened to a lot of their other albums. Most of these songs were super solid, I just think I prefer them in slightly smaller doses. Love the A side. Stars for Morrissey’s growling on track one. Johnny Marr is such a classic rockstar too - impressive range of projects since the Smiths.

Well, on the 1 year anniversary of me listening to my first ever album by The Smiths, we have another album by The Smiths. HOW?! How does this happen?! This may genuinely be the craziest coincidence I've had in regards to this generator, and I've encountered some weird coincidences. Am I going to have to wait until October 6, 2025 to get The Queen is Dead? Maybe? I don't know. Let's move on and talk about Strangeways, Here We Come. I liked Meat is Murder quite a bit. I initially gave it a 3/5 but that was because it was the second album I ever got and I didn't like at as much as the first one I got. Since then I have gotten that rating bumped up to a 4 because I realized that the album is quite good actually. However, it's not the best Smiths album. To be fair, I don't know if Strangeways is the best one either, but it's at least better than Meat is Murder. Everything that I liked about that album is here, but it seems that the band really improved on their style in the two years after that album's release. The sound is still very unique and pleasant to listen to. Johnny Marr's guitar work is just as great as ever, as are Morrissey's vocals and writing. Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce also do great playing the bass and drums respectively. I don't have much to say about them, but I figured that I might as well give them praise since I'm doing so for the other members. There's some wonderful songs on here. "A Rush and a Push and the Land is Ours" is strong opener. It really sets up a different feel for this album. "Girlfriend in a Coma" is a pretty similar song that has this weird blend between being very fun to listen to and having very sad lyrics that I kind of really like. I think "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" might be my favorite on the album. It's great. Overall, this is a strong album that really goes to show just how much talent there was in the Smiths. It's a shame that this was their last album. At least they ended strongly. High 4/5.

i always love singing along in an exaggerated style of morrisey so my family looks at me weird

One of those bands I knew I should listen to because of all the later ones they influenced. Excellent early alt/new wave with lyrics that inspire pop-punk and emo 20 years later

Same review as the last Smiths album: I really do love the Smiths. I find them very nostalgic for my teenage years. This is a great album with some bangers. Only lost a star because Morrissey is a c*nt.

Strangeways is a great description to this album. I like the sound of each song and they focus on very interesting topics, like hoping your girlfriend will wake from a coma.

Great band with an awful singer who also happens to be an awful person. Favorite track: Unhappy Birthday

Un énième album de Morrissey et de ses godiches de potes. Si le côté musical passe encore, le propos général est sensiblement le même qu'à chaque fois. Et vas-y qu'au fond tout le monde préfère sa propre race, et vas-y que j'arbore un badge pour un parti d'extrême droite, et vas-y que j'agite un drapeau britannique devant un décor évoquant le nazisme... Rien de nouveau sous le soleil.

Morrissey sucks and I've never vibed with The Smiths' style of indie/jangle pop.

Ish. Morrissey has such a dreadful Kermit-y singing voice. Just this splatty wimpy mess of a voice. Gross!

I don't get it, the Smiths are only boring

It's ok. I just can't stand Morrisey

Momma didn't feel it tbh

whats up with all the fucking growling at the beginning, definitely an unwelcome surprise. This was not good, not as bad as expected though. 2/5. But, we need to account for the Morrisey Multiplier. Fuck Morrisey. 1/5

Nope.

This plays every time I have to use the Leeds ring road,Traveling to a doctors appointment were they ask me how many Units of alcohol I consume a week. I say 14 units...We both know this is a lie! As I wait to hand the pharmacist my prescription, I am behind a man in his 60s, Flat cap, brown leather gloves and a navy blue windbreaker. He dose not hand in his prescription but has some questions about it! Your insides sink with the sound of Loyd Grossman plummeting down a well with 1/6th of the Earth’s gravity....Your day from this point is going nowhere...Your day from this point is a Smiths Album

Sehr sehr nice, irgendwas zwischen Rock und Pop. Lässt sich entspannt hören.

Great.

Absolutely fantastic!

Possibly the best Smiths album?

Lempparit: Girlfriend in a Coma ja I Won’t Share You Vähiten lemppari: Unhappy Birthday

And this is my #1 fav Smiths album. Just the platonic ideal of their vibe for me, this is what I always come to when I need a fix of Smiths tbh. Again..fuck morrissey…but divorced from that, I think this is so catchy and moody and sardonic and I really love it tbh!

Fall and Winter listening. Clear cool day, warm sun. Wandering in a city or in the woods? I think a city. I can only take so much Morrissey, but this album is perfect. His melancholic voice and lyrics have a nice balance with Johnny Marr's light cheerful guitar. This album played prominently in my teen years and opened my mind to what music can do and where it can take you. The bass comes through well, always a strong counterbalance. All sorts of interesting accompaniment at just the right times. Good blend of upbeat and mellow. Original and unique in so many ways when it was released, and still sounds fresh. A definite keeper in my catalog.

All 4 of The Smiths' studio albums are great, which is really quite an accomplishment when they also released a bunch of fantastic non-album singles during their relatively short run. Shame Morrissey and Marr's relationship eventually broke down after Strangeways, Here We Come. As mentioned I love all of their albums and this is a belter. Girlfriend in a Coma might be one of the most archetypal Smiths songs - jangly guitars combined with catchy vocals and morbid lyrics. It's a consistent album though, no bad songs at all so easy 5*

Amazing album. Fucking slaps. Love the smiths

Very good album!

Interesting. I only know one song (Girlfriend in a Coma). After listening, I can say I have added 3/4th of this album to my playlist. Great album! Love the cynical lyrics. "Unhappy birthday" really is a summary of the entire discography of the Smiths. 4.7

Not my first time listening to it, has one of my favourite Smith's songs. I've never felt so optimistic listening to a song about a comatose girlfriend.

This album slaps; less melancholic than Bauhaus, less pumping than Siouxie and the Banshees; love it. 36min in total Very short

One of my alltime favourites. It just has everything cynical lyrics, perfect Melodie’s and just hits, hits, hits!

Not really listened to The Smiths before. Something I’ll be exploring some more. Relaxed.

If I had been born a little earlier this would have been my shit. The Pope of Mope keeps me swaying with the tunes and realizing that emo wasn't a phase.

Not as good as The Queen is Dead, but still a 5

i kinda like the music

I love this. I've heard of the smiths before, but I've never really listened to them. I definitely want to listen to their back catalogue now.

Not their best album, but still a brilliant epilogue to the best UK band in the 80s.

I've been a fan of The Smiths for a long time, and a fan of Radiohead for a long time. But listening to this album tonight was the first time it really hit me how influential The Smiths were on them and like, it's VERY obvious and I cannot believe I never put it together until the end of this evenings listen of "Death of a Disco Dancer".

Solid album. In my experience, you have to listen to a Smiths album at least five times to get it, and then it's great. I remember when it came out, so I know this one well...and it is great. For the guitar players who don't like The Smiths, I would suggest focusing on the guitar playing. Johnny Marr plays like nobody else. If you don't believe me, try playing along with him. It's not easy, and it will make you appreciate what he's actually doing. "I crashed down on the crossbar and the pain was enough to make a shy bald Buddhist reflect." That's a solid lyric. Liked Songs Added: - Death Of A Disco Dancer - Girlfriend In A Coma - Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before - Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me - Unhappy Birthday - Paint A Vulger Picture - I Won't Share You

Gonna lose some feminism points for this

I loved this album—not quite as much as The Queen Is Dead, my favorite Smiths album. But listening to it was pleasantly familiar, even though I had only heard about half the tracks on the album. Johnny Marr’s jangly guitar work, Morrissey’s literary references and strange, morbid British humor—it all reminds me of car rides with my dad. Some of the lyrics made me laugh out loud. This was the Smiths’ last album together, and most of the band agreed it was their best. It takes it title from a famous prison that was actually called Strangeways, which I guess is where the band felt they were headed.

perfect smith album!

Oh excellent! The glorious final album of The Smiths before Morrissey’s insane egotism and extremist nonsense tore them apart. But it sure was fun while it lasted. Any Smiths record is an undeniable 5 -star affair for me. I just can’t get enough of the jangly uptempo guitars and melancholic lyricism. It’s a delicious combination. But, moderation as they say. You can’t have too much of a good thing. And this is a very very good thing.

Not something I'd normally listen to, but glad I did - very good.

Oh boy here we go

Fantastic

Very nice!

New fan here

Paraphrasing this from somewhere else so don't lay claim to it: Imagine being Johnny Marr, you've just laid down one of the most sublime guitar lines of your career. You come back to studio the next day to find that Morrissey has warbled on some Carry On Nonsense about his imaginary girlfriend being in a coma. That sums up the Smiths. I still like them, still appreciate them even though is a bit of a part these days. Perfect escapist pop for all the lonely boys and lonely girls of the world to unite together

Their best album? Probably not. Are all my favorite songs on this one? Yes.

YASSSSSS SLAY MORRISSEY 😍😍😍😍 (for the record I know he's racist, this album is good though)

Amazing. Really incredible. Very easy to like.

The Smiths is one of my comfort bands and one of my favorites of all time. I know all the songs off the tip of my tongue. It's always a pleasure to listen to The Smiths. Strangeways is an album that I've learned to love a lot over the years and it's a shame that they stopped at that. For me, they were at their technical and artistic peak. But some bands are just like that: They pass through our existence like a comet, a true phenomenon that leaves its mark on anyone who comes into contact with this music. Morrissey, Mars, Joyce and Andy were the voice, heart, pulse and soul of an entire generation!

I was unfortunately a Smiths Fan as a tween so I feel like I need to give this one 5 stars.

Almost the best Smiths studio album.

I fee the Smiths have a really unique sound. It’s sort of both upbeat and creepy at the same time, but I dig it. I honesty liked every single song on this album, and would gladly listen to it again.

I love the Smiths. A few great tracks on here. Very good album, rivals 'The Queen Is Dead'.

A fine swan song. Very baroque and keyboard driven but maintains lovely indie pop and great melodies

MANCHESTER PRISON MENTIONED

Really enjoyed the production on this one. A fitting swan song for The Smiths.

Very good. 4.5