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.

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

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!

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

I loved this and no longer know who I am.

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

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

A meticulously crafted masterpiece of melancholy.

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.

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 ?

Fantastic way to end an all too short run.

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

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.

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.

I hate the smiths

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

know it backwards, grew up with it and love it

Depressing as always.

Tedious indie drone

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

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.

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 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?

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

Mostly playful fragments with a few decent tunes to hold it together. Morrissey’s spite tilts towards parody. Fun, some jewels among the toys.

Back to my first ever album on here, for which I did not leave a review. Here goes: The slightest of The Smiths' albums, if apparently M&M's favorite for some reason. "Paint A Vulgar Picture" carries the day and sadly presages the ex-band's future commercial output.

I love The Smiths, but this felt like watching your favorite band break up in real time. And not even in a dramatic way — just awkward silence and passive-aggressive lyrics.

Strangeways, Here We Come My second listen to a Smiths album after Meat is Murder last year. Similar to that one, as I have a bit of a blind spot with Smiths albums I’m not sure how this sits in their 4 album run, apart from knowing it’s their last one. All the classic Smiths elements are here, and Andy Rourke shines as usual, but Marr really seems to be on one, with more ostentatious guitar hero licks than I expected, especially on I Started Something and Noely G I think must have used some of the licks on Stop Me as the basis for his lead playing. And after listening to Meat is Murder and Death at One’s Elbow on here I hadn’t realised how much country/rockabilly influence there is in the band, but thinking about it, it makes a lot of sense. I also really like the different instrumental colours, the marimbas, synths, horns, harmonium and autoharp, and the piano seemingly being more prominent too. I Started Something, Girlfriend in a Coma, Stop Me and Last Night are obviously the well known songs and they are excellent, A Rush and A Push is great too, but I really loved Death of a Disco Dancer, it’s maudlin drone, bass line and chugging guitars are fantastic. Not sure where Smiths fans rate this but it already feels like one of my favourites of theirs. I really like the melody to Paint a Vulgar Picture, and the country inflections of the aforementioned Death at One’s Elbow, but it does feel like the 2nd side isn't as well cooked as the first, running out of steam a little, and Unhappy Birthday is one of those slightly irritatingly churlish Morrisey lyrics, that can be a bit off putting. I think I’ve still got a thing with The Smiths, I think they’re great, but they’re one of those bands that I like and admire, rather than truly love. I don’t find it that hard to park my feelings about current day Morrisey, and he was capable at this time of some fantastic lyrics and imagery, but I’ve always found his voice and overall presence slightly tough going after a few songs in a row, even before I knew much about his public character, so I guess that plays a part in my overall feelings. It's better than Meat is Murder, there are some excellent songs in the first half and it's a very good album, but overall I don’t think it quite reaches a 5, so I’ll stick on 4. 🚓🚓🚓🚓 Playlist submission: Death of a Disco Dancer

How many artists have an albums' worth of hits in them? This exercise has opened my eyes to how the construct of an album really wasn't that great for even top notch artists. Your average band/singer would have 3-5 hits in them, but was forced to put out an album with essentially filler to make up the difference. Queen, Prince, Elton - they've all been a bit mediocre when you hear the whole shebang of some of what are supposed to be their best albums. Others are pure filler around one or two decent songs (Culture Club, Talking Heads, Blur). The Smiths are no different in that the only album this list has included to date had 2 great songs - mostly familiar from singles/greatest hits albums - while the rest was forgettable. And I'd still argue that Louder Than Bombs or other collections are better than any individual album. That said, a combination of exposure (I think my mom had the CD) plus nostalgia means that even if Strangeways doesn't have any of the monster hits the Smiths are known for - I still think this is their best album. The tongue-in-cheek darkness of 'Girlfriend in a Coma' along with the music industry skewering 'Paint a Vulgar Picture' is wonderful up against the typically depressed and love lorn 'I Won't Share You' and 'Last Night I Dreamt Somebody Loved Me.' Break out the Prozac. Straddling this weird line of competency without fully knocking it out of the park the way 'How Soon Is Now,' 'Bigmouth', 'Panic,' or other singles happen to do on other albums (or greatest hits collections.) A solid listen with no misses ...maaaaybe 'Unhappy Birthday.'

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.

This is #day1 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... 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, I think 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, wow! Such a joy to have experienced it now. This is a strong 4 out of 5. I wouldn't mind a vinyl version, to be honest with you. Looking forward to #day2.

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.

I have come to the realization that I like The Smiths. But Morrissey solo? Nope, don't need it

It’s their distinct sound which I can only handle for so long. Great album though, it really is its own thing.

Pretty alright, a little boring

i saiD I LOVE THE SMITHS

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.

I never really “got” The Smiths and (unfortunately) that streak continues. Johnny Marr remains a genius, all things considered (they don’t give a signature Jaguar to just anyone)… I just don’t really resonate with Morrisey. I’m also not super stoked on the late-80s production aesthetic, either — and this record suffers from stage IV eightiesrecorditis. It’s terminal. Highlight for me was ‘I Started Something’, minus the lazy fade-out at the end.

MMMMIIIIIIIIDDDD In all honesty, I didn't give it much of a chance. I listened in the background while reading, will give another listen. Overall I liked the use of change in voice as a musical device like on the first song in the line "A rush and a push of the land", A Rush is sung from the throat. The melody in the first song is quite catchy as well but the song seems like a lull that leads to a climax that is quite tame or boring even. Will probably be returning though to "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Love Me". The title alone appeals to me and it's the perfect addition to my LMB playlist just off themes alone. What else could you ask for in a heartbreak/sadboy song. Ideal lie in bed and stare at the ceiling song. 5/10 - Not bad by any means but not my taste. Listens as quite dated; either I've been spoiled by modern music being so dynamic or it just doesn't have what I'm looking for.

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.

I’m a huge fan of The Smiths. This and “The Queen is Dead” are my favorite albums from them. I haven’t listened to it in total for quite a long time, and it was fun to be brought back to the later 80’s with the music I loved. I am aware Morrissey is an asshole, but I still love his songwriting and singing.

I adore The Smiths and this album is no different, so many bangers and it's the perfect length to not feel dragged out. Although I think the end is a little weaker than the start, I give it 5 because it's so consistently good that I can look past it.

Unfortunately, despite my personal dislike of Morrissey, this album is great. Funny, melodic, weird, unlike anything before and a lot that copied it later. FS: I Started Something I Couldn’t Finish. or Death of A Disco Dancer.

BEST SONGS: - A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours - Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me - Paint a Vulgar Picture

One of my all time favorite albums. I'll take an excuse to listen to it and on repeat.

Highlight Song/s: A Rush and a Push, Girlfriend in a Coma and Death of a Disco Dancer. This is easily one of the best albums ever made. They decided to change their sound on this album after they determined their music had become formulaic, which they executed really well. Even though The Queen Is Dead a good album, it was definitely a good decision to change. It is a shame this is when The Smiths decided to call it; they would've gotten even more strange, then where they had left off. Now about the songs that stood out to me: The dreamlike intro of the song A Rush and a Push; Best line on the album is "Maybe in the next world", from Death of a Disco Dancer; Girlfriend in a Coma and Last Night I Dreamt have the most dramatic sound, which I love; I Won't Share You is probably the best final song from a Band that has broken up.

Classic

Great album!

Although I love The Smiths, I had never listened to this album, and I absolutely love it. This band is so special for me, it matches my energy in ways not many other can.

The Smiths are so funny. No one will ever confuse Morrissey for anyone else, which, again, is in my mind a desirable quality in a singer. Fall Out Boy and Panic At The Disco surely owe a debt to The Smiths's silly, long, emo song titles. I was starting to question if I even liked music at all until I listened to this album. (Still do, whew). I think this is better than "Meat is Murder", and so now that I broke the 5 seal, I'm going for it! 5 stars!! Highlights: 'I Started Something I Couldn't Finish', 'Death of a Disco Dancer' ("Love, peace and harmony?/ Oh, very nice, very nice, very nice, very nice / But maybe in the next world"), 'Girlfriend in a Coma' (I always like the incongruity of a jaunty island melody with unhappy lyrics. Almost sounds like 'Here Comes the Sun'), 'Paint a Vulgar Picture' Lowlight: 'Death at One's Elbow'

Smiths really can’t miss.

Um clássico, perfeito...

Love The Smiths.

The Smiths magic is timeless. The Smiths legacy is unquestionable. Morrissey is.....

This list has turned me into a Smiths fan. I can't believe I hadn't been listening to them all along.

A fitting farewell to The Smiths.

Don't break the heart of a musician.

Morrisey cracks me up on this album everything‘s Tongue In Cheek. He’s such an asshole. It’s funny in this. He’s like sad Dennis Larry or something. On the flipside Johnny Marr’s guitar work is so jangly and fun. He’s the star of The Smiths for me. I stay away from Morrissey so Work but the Smiths I can listen to all day long not my favorite album but definitely a great one.

So moody and not like other music

Yup one of the best.

Probably equal to the Queen is dead

Not their strongest albums but my all time favourite band. Unhappy birthday was one I hadn't listened to before but loved it

The Smiths at peak creativity. They'd more or less just put out the platonic ideal of a Smiths album in The Queen Is Dead, which makes their willingness to depart from that and experiment with new sounds all the more satisfying on this one. It's still undeniably a The Smiths record at its core - morose, ironic lyrics atop irresistibly catchy compositions - but this is a tantalising glimpse into where thos band might have gone if they hadn't broken up. Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before is an all time song for me.

Fantastic album, great musicianship, some deep topics but great. Really good example of this style of music

This is the album you get someone to listen to as the gateway to the Smiths. It's the most polished and complete set of tunes they did. It's lost a little of the rough edge of earlier releases as a result, but for me it's their masterpiece album. No fat on it. 36 minutes of Marr & Morrissey at their peak. And then the inevitable happened and they split up. You just have to ignore what Morrissey turned into later though.

I like to think that this is the album that The Smiths were always working towards. When they recorded it they knew they had reached what they wanted and then called it a day. Also, Fuck Morrissey.

A true work of art

Super Dope

It was really good!

One of my faves!

This album makes me want to push morrissey into a locker. That’s being said it’s still five stars, so take what you will from that.

Yet another amazing album by The Smiths. Girlfriend in a Coma/Band in a coma ready to break up? I wish Morrissey and Johnny Marr never had a fall out

I love it - great tunes and emotive lyrics - thank you!