Reviews (page 12 of 14)
“I won’t share you” is a beautiful closer but other than that nothing fully grabs me, could see myself coming back to it though
A torn and crumpled valentine’s card. A spilled bottle of champagne. Not nearly enough cocaine. Is there anyone who can sing a word like ‘murder’ lovelier than Morrissey? His voice is sweeter and smoother than a ruby red glass of sherry. Likewise, the rest of the Smiths, who soar with the best jingle jangle sound since the Byrds. However, I’ve never heard such delightful music (Johnny Marr’s) pared with such utterly doleful lyrics (Morrissey’s)… at least if I’m not considering the Smiths’ LP before this one. Morrissey seems stuck on the subject of unrequited love, which as a British gay man in 1987 was, I’m guessing, not an uncommon experience; not to mention dangerous- another theme running through his lyrics. Beatings, murder, suicide. On ‘Unhappy Birthday,’ he wishes death on his ‘evil,’ deceitful ex-lover! I’m not aware of Morrissey’s religious belief, if any, but every tradition I’m aware of mostly advises against this, witnessing to the dire consequences awaiting the wisher for such a wish. Here’s my main concern, though, and I’m speaking from my own experience. Morrissey falls in love at the drop of a hat. A smile and a wink from a pretty James Dean face, and he’s in seventh heaven. But in love has nothing to do with Love. Love without conditions, expectations. Love that Loves regardless, even if its unrequited, disrespected. The trick is to set one’s boundaries carefully and guard them diligently for one’s own protection, while still Loving the one pissing all over your broken heart. Whereas Morrissey answers the question, ‘… is life sick and cruel?’ with an immediate ‘Yes!’ I would have to disagree. Helen Keller, as one example, suffered in ways that would shame Morrissey and myself, yet pronounced life wonderful. She could have justifiably (according to our often flawed perception and limited human understanding) pronounced it sick and cruel, but intentionally chose not to. Ask yourself why? Morrissey, I hope you do find love one day. Maybe you already have. And I hope it brings you all you desire. But the kind I think you’re so desperately searching for will not ultimately fill that hole in your tender, aching heart. Only Love can, and will, do that.
A cult classic, but difficult to listen to now, knowing how Morrissey has transformed since.
Sometimes I feel like I'm close to liking Morrissey, but he's just so fucking maudlin all the time. He definitely works better with the Smiths than he does as a solo artist, at least from my perspective. Musically, this album is good and did a great job at keeping my interest. The lyrics are...Morrissey. We get it, you're sad and you hate everyone except your girlfriend, who's in a coma. What kills me is that I like his voice. If he would just sing about some other aspect of the human condition, it would be a good album. Instead we get Holden Caufield Sings the Blues. I don't hate it, but it's so close to being really good that it makes me mad 3/5
Excellent. 3/5
Pretty good! Very 80s, very British
I listened to this earlier this year and I didn't dislike it as much this time, but that's as far as I'm willing to go at this point.
I'm not sure I can do this tonight. Not in the mood for Morrissey's moody brooding. I don't hate it and I can't say I even dislike it, but I very seldom want to listen to it.
Unfortunately after listening to a lot of Smiths I don't think I'm a huge fan. Instrumentally it's all fine and dandy but Morrissey's voice and delivery isn't my cup of tea.
┐(￣ヘ￣;)┌ звучит просто... неплохо?
Not the greatest Smiths albums, suffers from Morrissey's tendency to have better song titles than the actual song itself and you always know a band is nearing the end of the line when they start whining about record companies.
I can’t wait ‘til Morrissey dies, and I’ve never been all that impressed by The Smiths aside from the obviously-great handful of classic singles...but I’m kinda shocked that I didn’t hate this. Still not something I’d revisit aside from a couple tracks in a playlist, but Johnny Marr’s airy, jangly, off-kilter, influenced-by-anything-obtuse arrangements got me wondering if I should revisit their most lauded classics. I still wouldn’t say I’m a *fan* of this style by any stretch, but I at least get why my Millennial, North Brooklyn , indie-minded peers all love them, and I don’t hate this record by any stretch. But also it’s far from a *must listen* before I die, more like, “maybe I was a pretentious hardcore kid who just wanted to hate The Smiths, and maybe their strange final album is just odd enough to be more my speed,” but that assessment doesn’t mean it’s essential for everyone, either, especially if you’re already more respective to 80s indie pop than me.
Neither the music or the lyrics drew me in
terrified of anyone who listens to this album often
This is bias I know because of my opinion of Morrisey but I can no longer listen to much of this without hearing a whiny tone
This definitely isn't my favourite Smiths album, some of them very good but quite a few just wishy washy to me
Certainly not as dour and earnest as usual for The Smiths; I can imagine how weary Marr must have felt with Morrissey's toxic incel kvetching, yet his guitars are classy - maybe out of place with the ludicrous literary themes. Regardless, still fun to listen to, and a little sad to mourn the implosion of the band.
svona lala
Niet slecht maar een beetje saai
Camper and more poppy than I associate with The Smiths which I think is why I am enjoying this so much. As it's gone on, it's got weirder and mopier. "I've come to wish you an unhappy birthday?" Puh-leaze.
This felt pretty standard for what morrissey and the smiths provided. Nothing to special here. A decent album that provides more than just what the singer does alone. By this point the bands formula was pretty well developed and it shows here. 6.2/10
Good listen. Hits the ear well but not many tracks stuck out. 3 memorable songs, but the rest weren’t particularly bad.
Nice music, but a lot of the same.
Better than expected. I really liked the opener but did find myself becoming less enthralled as the album wore on
Not my favorite smiths album, but still a good listen. It has their signature sound but the songs feel lacking compared to albums like The Smiths, or The Queen Is Dead.
Nouvel album de l apart du raciste préféré du générateur, et nouvelle grosse performance, qui permet de mettre un terme à la traversée du désert que subit le générateur actuellement. Néammoins, toujorus pas de 4/5 attribué depuis maintenant plus de 17 années. Robert est injoignable, mon camarade robpelletière et moi commençons a perdre espoir...
Not their best (though they all thought so) this was a bit different to the usual Smiths sound and production- and arrangement-wise showed where Morrissey solo would end up.
Honestly, better than I expected. I wasn’t a fan of the first album of theirs that I listened to, but this one was pretty good when it wasn’t trying to be preachy. I get why some people dig the Smiths.
I always feel like I should like the Smiths more than I do.
I'm just left wondering what The Smiths would sound like with another singer. Keep all of Johnny Marr's arrangements and guitar playing, but trade Morrissey for... I don't know who. Got any ideas? Because I have never been able to get into Morrissey's voice. I do like "Strangeways" better than "The Queen is Dead." Marr's aforementioned arrangements are great. But my focus kept drifting away, likely as a way not to notice Morrissey so much. That's as far as I can go and as detailed as I can get after 2 1/2 listens. So if you've got an idea for a who's voice would fit better with The Smith's music, let me know. (I tried listening to some covers - Jeff Buckley's "I Know It's Over" was great, because... Jeff Buckley - but it's not the same.)
Decent album.
Coupla bangers in here, boys.
Morrissey is the sound of a generation. His "growl" in the first two songs draws me in. I'm fascinated by it! Girlfriend in a Coma is a weird song. There must be a story there. Overall, this album gives me a good sense of this band. Vocal acrobatics, dark-ironic lyrics, crisp guitar paired with sonorous synths. It's The Smiths, take it or leave it. They pioneered a vibe and attitude. Their songs are about stuff, so that's great too. 3.5 stars.
3/5
A crap album by Smiths standards but better than most so far.
Treurige muziek. Ik vond het precies net iets té treurig
Nice sound
Modulates well but I couldn't get interested today
Plenty of goodness emerges. Ace a newsworthy album and it will go well. nothing flashy, just good music
Not that catchy I gotta say. I guess they were trying something different but it’s not that amazing
I strongly dislike morissey. The other members are the only thing keeping this from a lower score
Early Smiths albums are far superior than later efforts.
I can appreciate it but doesn't really speak to me. It's too clean and shimmery.
Interesting album. Really intrigued by 'Death of a Disco Dancer' — sounds like it could be an early Radiohead song!
pretty good, not as memorable as their earlier albums but good songs and good production
Lyssnade med Frida och gjorde pannkakor, mysig skiva men inte jätteimpad.
I particularly appreciate Morrissey's expressive vocal delivery. Although it was enjoyable overall, I probably won't be returning to this one.
Nice drums at the end of Death of a Disco Dancer. I really like some of The Smiths stuff, but other times his voice and lyrics are just hit and miss for me. This album is no different, interesting lyrics both good and bad depending on how you look at it. I can imagine it's not everyone's cup but one thing I can say is it's not dull... Fav tracks: Girlfriend in a Coma, Stop Me, Paint a Vulgar Picture
Don’t sleight this guy
The first few tracks I was absolutely loving. Then I started hearing some sort of ridiculous, hilarious lyrics, that were oddly juxtaposed with the music. I was into that. But I felt like the second half of the album got a bit tired. Some songs sounded like a band at the peak of their career, writing songs for the sake of writing songs, with nothing new to say. I would love an EP version of this album with the fat trimmed.
Pretty easy to listen to and enjoyable. Favourite track was A Rush and Push and the Land Is Ours.
came on really strong but got stale over the entirety of the record
Boring
Not bad for a Smiths album I guess?
Not they’re best album, but not bad. I enjoyed it, but then I quite like The Smiths. Wouldn’t be upset if this ended up in my collection.
lite deppigt men jag lyssna hela plattan plus lite till
The smiths are just boring
Underhållande
typical 80's sound, not distinctive to me.
24th May 2021 Listened to this in the front room while working in the afternoon. Sun and rain intermittent, fitting for a Smith's album. I can't divorce myself from the tit Morrissey has become, but I enjoyed a Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours, Girlfriend in a Coma and of course Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before.
Great production - it has a richness to it. I haven't listened to a lot of Smiths but the songs are well crafted.
I've never really gotten into the Smiths, and this album didn't help out too much. The instrumentation and style choices were pretty good, but Morrisey's weird tounge swallowing thing he does is really annoying. I'll keep giving them a chance though. They're not bad. Fav song: Death of a Disco Dancer
Probably my least favourite Smiths' record, but also their most unusual, so got to give it points for that. Johnny Marr's guitar work is almost unrecognizable. Favourite Tracks: Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before, Girlfriend in a Coma (Oh Morrissey...) and I Won't Share You. Rating: 3.5
Boring, not catchy, not vibey but has good songs
Curious pick for a Smiths album to include in this list. I like it, but it's not their best (or my favourite). Some interesting textures and a few really standout tracks to dig into. "Girlfriend in a Coma" is just pop perfection.
Couldnt finish all of it but what I did listen to was a strange mixed bag. Gotta say the lyrics were uh. Kinda strange at times.
Why did Morrissey have to become a Nazi? I hope there are more Smiths albums because this one is not their best. Some bangers though. Poor old Johnny Marr doing ALL the work.
Epílogo de The Smiths, sin canciones de las míticas pero bien producido y muy compacto en su sonido. Es para fans
Non il migliore degli Smiths
Casually enjoyed it. Wouldn't turn it off if it came on a playlist.
Saved Prior: None Saved Off Rip: A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours, Death of a Disco Dancer, Girlfriend in a Coma, Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: Not as good as prior Smiths material I know, but still good. Will inevitably grow on me because that's just how the Smiths go. Hyped for the other two albums.
The outro to “death of a disco dancer” is pretty cool. I read on wiki that marr wanted to avoid the jingle jangle of previous albums but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want some jingle jangle. But Marr is still a great guitarist. “Unhappy birthday” sounds like a spoof done by someone mocking like an incel or something. Wtf is this. Marr with more great guitar on “paint a vulgar picture”. Spotify automatically went into another smiths album and I didn’t realize and I was thinking “finally a little jingle jangle on this album”. But nope. Eh. I hate rating and I’m thinking of starting to give everything a 3 unless it stands out in one way or another. I guess I’ll give this one a 3 I don’t know. Didn’t love it but it didn’t offend my ears either. I want more jingle jangle.
Repeat review from Jan 28: Track 1 cool reggae feel and "Feel Flows" swelling vocals. Track 2 "I started something I couldn't finish" could be an accurate description of this 1001 albums exercise. GF in a coma and I know its serious is a lyric I've always loved and still makes me giggle. Big drama songs "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me". Some light grooves with harsh lyrics "Unhappy Birthday". Trouble connecting wiht Morrissey's dark-ironic-but-also-honest lyrics. So much talk of death and dying (heavy) contrasted with melodies and vocal delivery that floats and lilts and delicately flutters (light). Perhaps this contrast is what really connects with the Smiths-devoted? I'll take the weirder American version (REM) instead. B-
So we already listened to this on our first deleted account. I’m pretty sure I wrote an in depth review. But on principal I couldn’t be brought to do it again. Solid album. Nice soundscapes. A few really catchy songs but it just doesn’t have the bangers of some other Smith’s albums. Morrissey is exceptional with lyrics and melodies, captures the rich kid emo ennui of the 80s. But, like all of their albums there’s a lot of fat, a lot of songs I don’t care about that fade into the background—they’re kind of a greatest hits band for me.
Solid album. The Smiths both do it for me and don't do it for me at the same time. I vacillate between midnight and 6 o'clock all through the album.
Josh Thoughts: Agreed with all the above. I've wager at least 5 girlfriends and boyfriends buried at his summer cottage. There were a couple fun jams, a lot of it sort of blended into the background--though I was pretty busy with work today so wasn't able to focus much on the music.
Ok
No es un disco perfecto pero es lo mejor que pudieron hacer. Uno puede intuir que Johnny Marr ya estaba medio harto porque su estilo cambió en este disco: hay menos catedrales de arpegios, hay más acordes, más strumming, incluso solos de guitarra ( a su manera, claro) y tecladitos y pequeños arreglos que se salen fuera de la fórmula Smith. En fin, hay un puñado de buenas canciones, otros medianonas pero todo fine.
Fijne plaat en sterke liedjes. Ik houd wel van die zwarte humor in de teksten.
Alright.
Great album! Super enjoyable to listen to. This feels like music for hipsters, before hipsters were a thing. Favorite track: "Stop me if you think you've heard this one before"
Glaubwürdig der Pathos, homogenes Werk. Wenige Spitzen, aber das ist kein Nachteil. Gute 2.7
Not as good as Meat is Murder but alright so far. Some songs have more of a typical 80s vibe. 6/10.
Never really given them much of a listen. Really enjoyed the albmum
It was okay, really melancholy. The gf song was intense.
Liked some songs but sort of forgettable music
Not exactly my cup of tea, but an enjoyable album nonetheless. Sounds more pop than rock. Interesting sound layers
meh
Classic Smith's. Good stuff.
I hate the Smiths but this is ok.
Very mellow. Nice listen but not something I'd likely return to.
Typical morissey
Interesting. First long listen to The Smiths. Liked: Unhappy Birthday, Girlfriend in a Coma, and Paint a Vulgar Picture
3.5
what’d be playing in the background of a coming of age film for teens who feel misunderstood by everyone aside from themselves. very 90s.
I like the Smiths…mainly because they wrote the soundtrack of Charmed ;).
Yes. I just wish morrissey wasn’t morrissey.
Needs another listen
Sidste Smiths album, tidlig indierock, ikke helt skidt
Pretty dece album, although the songs I ended up adding into my library weren't even the singles (except for Girlfriend in a Coma) lol
Aldrig förstått the Smiths eller morrissey för den delen. Det är så ofattbart tråkigt musik. Musiken är otroligt tunn och intetsägande. Finns inga melodier. Sången och mer irriterande än njutbar. Det var "har" vid första öronlyssnandet.
Minder dan mid. Een klassiek smith zeikalbum maar dan zonder de flare die hun betere albums hebben. 0 bangers, maar wel wat opgeslagen om later nog een keer te bezoeken om te kijken of die dan nogsteeds zo mid klinkt
no need for this to be in the list. it’s fine, possibly even good, but there are better smiths albums that are also on here. i don’t see the need to have half a discography on the list - you get a better sense of the smiths and their impact from the queen is dead or smth.
Listen to the whole thing and you’ll need therapy
I can see how some people would like it. To me, it just seems flat and boring. No real energy.
3 Smiths album is two too many
Based on the music I like I’ve, always struggled to figure out why I don’t really like the Smiths. After listening to this album, I think I can confirm why. In general from a musical perspective the instrumentation is boring and bland. Lyrics of cells are very good, but it’s a tough
Complete wankery and Morrissey's voice is goddamned fucking awful. Complete, overrated shyte. The music itself isn't bad but ruined by a fucking wanker. 2/5.
All the songs are completely listenable, but that's where my complements end. I don't really enjoy the singers voice but I could see it being good in certain songs. I dont understand the vibe it's trying to bring about so I can imagine a scenario where I am in the mood to re listen to any of the songs. I have more hope for other albums in the discography. 2
I’ve listened to other projects by The Smiths and in my honest opinion, this is probably their weaker one. I like the vocals of course, and there are some good songs, but overall I find that it got some skips and is a bit weak.
This shouldn’t be on the list, it’s boring
Not as much a fan of this one. I've never been superrrr big of Morrissey's voice. It has it's place I guess. I'm sorta conflicted, in a way
Morrissey is a cunt. The Smiths are so preposterously overrated. Half this album is shit, 1/4 of it is fantastic and the other 1/4 is played at a tempo that makes it sound like it was produced by a bunch of corpses.
This didn't do anything for me. There's a sense that they are into some music, honest singist and playing etc, but I couldn't feel excited.
Is this band overrated, or do I just find Morrisey annoying? Like the Swell Season sang, “The answer is yes.”
Er ingen fan.
Eh. Had it's moments.
This is now the third or fourth time I’ve had to write this, but Morrissey sucks so hard. And, as usual, the rest of the Smiths are great, but their work here is just ruined by Morrissey’s being a total bitch. 4/10
well, girlfriend in a coma is fucking insane, good god this is the part where i remember that maybe Morrisey is a little fucked up in the head lol
No es mi estilo.
This one didn't do it for me--maybe a future album from The Smiths will?
Easily the worst Smiths album, none of the songs are particularly memorable and it doesn't really even jangle!
A bit dull, this. I got bored pretty quickly and nothing dragged me back in
36min. Luulisi että albumi menisi nopeasti ohi, mutta odotan joka biisin kohdalla että se jo loppuisi.
2/5
#1004. More Smiths? Geez, I guess we're doing this again, huh? And... it turns out we didn't need. I suppose we could've assumed that beforehand, but here we are either way. 2/5: meh
Generic, unexciting, kinda boring.
Grew on me but still a weird album that I probably won’t listen to again
For all the hype I hear about The Smiths, this definitely wasn't it.
1042 albums in... 3 Smiths, 4 Morrissey... "I'm tired, boss..." At least I know I won't come across his whiney fucking voice again... -1 star. +3 stars for the rest of the band, 'cos they had to put up with the prick.
Foi mais difícil de digerir que o The Cure.. talvez por não ser um dos discos mais famosos da banda. É interessante em alguns pontos mas ainda assim, bem longe de ser algo que me envolva como um todo.
Wanker
The Smiths pole mulle kunagi eriti istunud. Mul lihtsalt pole nende muusikaga klappi ja ka see album jäi mulle veidi igavaks. Aga respekt neile selle eest, et neil tõesti on oma kõla ja ühel väga uimasel, palaval, hägusel bussisõidul Itaalia flixbussis oli see hea atmosfäärikuulamine kõikudes une ja ärkveloleku piiril.
I really don't like Morrissey's vocal style. He has such a limited range in every single song and it gets old. I didn't mind some of the instrumental moments, though.
Like other albums by this group, the parts where the instrumentals are good, Morrissey's voice drags it down with his singing. And then the rest is just bad overall.
Album 245. Strangeways, Here We Come (https://open.spotify.com/album/7jfexk2w5aDI25njkN0UGg?si=XBST7TwpR1i0lXjW1FJbEA) — The Smiths (1987) Well, it's The Smiths. Always tough listen to me. The fourth and final album. Not the best, but okay. 2/5 Liked: — I Started Something I Couldn't Finish
Pretty boring and slow. Songs feel same-ish to me. Bit of a whiny voice.
Meh
"Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" I have, it's called anything by The Cure. Great music to unalive yourself to I guess.
Very English sounding pop album with only a couple good ones, wasn’t a huge fan here
One good song. 2.5 (Maybe a 3?)
It all sounds the same to me
Eipä tämä suuremmin innostanut. Ei jatkoon.
Never understood the Smiths. Morrissey is also an awful singer, glad it speaks to some people but god its depressing with little redeeming factors. Must be in a good mood cause its a 2
The Smiths is a difficult listen because Morrissey is an ass. I like some of their music, but too much of it is about Morrissey.
Worst Smiths album
definitely feels like a transitional album to something else. something better! but it’s not quite there. and it’s still The Smiths. meh. deserves to be one of the 1001? ehhh i think you can skip it
There was a time I really liked The Smiths. I’d call it a Phase. Phases are those times you often look back at your life and say, “What was I fucking thinking?”
Fine album I liked "Death of a Disco Dancer", probably will like it more on future listens. high 2
If morrissey has no haters then i am dead A poor forgettable album (excepting stop me) with an extra point for the guitar work.
I know there are many who worship at the shrine, but the Smiths have never done anything for me. Sure the Musicianship is fine, and Johnny Marr's guitar playing is never less than interesting. But over the top of this you have old misery guts himself. His Loneliness The Mope, Morrisey. His lyrics seem, at first sight, a bit ropey, but on closer inspection fail to live up to that level. His singing is mannered at best and his personality so overbearing that everything else is just background If it doers ir for you then go your hardest, but I think there are things I enjoy more. PS: Morrisey is a dick
With the exception of girlfriend in a coma, very disappointing
2/5
Just listened to it, and already forgot.
By my count, this is our THIRD Smiths album so far - they only released FOUR! - and I really don't think anyone needs to hear more than ONE Smiths album before they die, if even that. I love one Smiths song (guess which one!) and it's not on this album. I think it's possible that I could have become a latter-days Smiths fan later in life if Morrissey hadn't turned out to be such a twat. But he did, so.... "Death of a Disco Dancer" was OK - kind of Beatle jangly - and made me think that if I could get past Morrissey's vocals there might be some good music I've been missing all along. But apologies to Mr. Marr, et al, because it is impossible to listen to the Smiths and "get past" Morrissey. I wonder what Kumail Nanjiani thinks of "Girlfriend in a Coma." "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" must have been on 120 Minutes a lot because it sounds really familiar. (And I just realized how funny that is. Well-played, Smiths. Unfortunately for me, I listen to all of these albums start-to-finish, so I can't stop him. Next time, Morrissey.) "Unhappy Birthday" is kind of hilarious. I just read that today happens to be Morrissey's birthday. I'll give an extra half-star for that, bumping this up to a 2.
Listened Before? N My new favorite Smiths album! Jangly and pretentious as usual. At least they're consistent. I'll give them half a point for consistency and deduct half a point for having the cover just be a giant shitty image of Morrisey's face. 1.5/5. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours
Only got about half way through this one. I like The Smiths but for some reason this album wasn’t jiving with me.
Strange indeed haha. Sarcastic and at times funny but overall it wears in me and the vocals are just bad.
I don't love The Smiths but they can make a hit. None of them are on this record, though. It seems like Morrisey said "I'm going to repeat the same line as the title as you pluck the guitar strings as lightly as possible" nine times.
My first time listening to this. My only prior exposure to the Smiths was listening to The Queen Is Dead (once several years ago, and then one more time for this list.) This one is definitely more adventurous than the previous one and it does put Morrissey front and center in the mix; I found he was sort of buried under the echoey production on the previous album. His voice has this soft lilting quality to it but I find it's a little too sappy and delicate to listen to for an entire album. The wide contrast in effort between songs (the longer ones clearly have the most oomph behind them) also sort of detracts. I might revisit this eventually one day, but my opinion of the Smiths is unchanged - they're fine and I'm someone absolutely adores them, but it isn't me.
Morrissey låter bitter och självgod. Så allt är väl som det ska vara? Inte dåligt men inte heller något som jag kommer återkomma till. Last night... är helt ok.
estuvo bien para conocer a los smiths, valio la pena escucharlo. dicho esto, no volvere a reproducirlo en mi vida, de lo mas aburrido que escuche nunca.
background music. Sometimes you never really listened to a specific artist, and sometimes there’s a very valid reason why you never did. Meh.
There would be nothing wrong with having a Smiths album on a list of 1001 albums I need to hear before I die. But for such a list to include THREE of the the four albums put out by the group (and then add FOUR solo efforts by lead singer Morissey!!) is a choice either too lazy or too personally biased to lend any credibility at all to the list. Especially when the same list includes ZERO albums by Warren Zevon!!
No great songs but I could listen to lyrics, some interesting.
'Hoi, wij zijn de makers van dit boek, en dit moet je goed vinden.' Nou, dat maken we zelf nog wel uit. Maar ja, het is intrinsiek aan élk boek van dit type dat je afhankelijk bent van de selectie van de makers. En pas gaandeweg kom je erachter of je het ermee eens bent. Goed, terug naar snobfavoriet Morissey. Echt slecht kan ik het niet vinden, geef mij Morissey en de Smiths liever dan de zoveelste over het paard getilde grofgebekte boze rapmeneer. Maar oenerige teksten als 'girlfriend in a coma, I know it's serious' of 'Stop me if you think you've heard this one before' onderstrepen alleen maar hoe niemendallerig deze muziek is. Je wint er geen Nobelprijs mee, terwijl de muziek ook al zo nikserig is: landerig, allemaal in hetzelfde tempo en met dezelfde instrumentatie, met die keelstem die maar wat zingzegt over de melodie, want waarom zou je het in het metrum passen. En dat verveelt, na zeven platen van deze oliebol. Maar nu zijn we dan eindelijk van hem af.
I think this was my first time properly listening to The Smiths, and I can see why people like them! This album just didn’t really hold my attention, especially telling on a wfh day with minimal distractions.
I only knew The Smiths by name, but I hadn't heard any of their songs. I liked the album, but that was about it.
Fairly OK.
Bin nicht wirklich reingekommen. Ich mag das Album the Smiths viel mehr als dieses von ihnen.
Too soon and too similar after Simple Minds
It was okay. The middle tracks are best. Morrisey is kind of a slimeball and my friend Michael can’t convince me otherwise
Not their best
One of the weaker albums I've heard from The Smiths. Quite forgetful and one that wasn't the easiest to sit through. 1-0 to the Cure.
I haven't done a total deep dive on The Smiths, but they have long been a band that just doesn't quite do it for me. And this confirms! I did, however, listen to this on my commute during a rainy, gray morning, which seems appropriate.
3.5/10
I Was afraid to become a Smiths fan but that one does nothing to me. Girlfriend in a Coma is a bop, but that's about it.
Sorry Morrissey - you crazy now.
Not my thing
I do NOT like this vibe and I usually like the smiths music, very boring
Death At One's Elbow
It’s alright didn’t quite get into it 2.5
Sykt mid
I e faktisk ganske glad i the smiths. Men den her skiva skjønner i ikke at e her. E helt mid på sitt beste. Dørgenes kjedelig på sitt værste
The Smiths e en av de mest oppskrytte bandene i musikkhistorien. Girlfriend in a coma trekke opp her.
Nothing very noteworhty, strummy guitar that kind of reminds me of summer. A lot of weird growls in the beginning.
Honestly, quite boring. I adore the Queen is Dead but this was much more maudlin album that lacked any standout catchy singles.
Meh. It turns out I don’t like the Smiths too much
i’d heard this album before. this has historically been my least favorite smiths album. it’s not horrible, it’s just against heavy competition. queen is dead is one of my favorite albums of the 80s. fuck unhappy birthday, that song sucks. stop me if you think you’ve heard this one before is a new favorite. really liked it this listen. johnny marr rightfully gets a lot of credit but shout out andy rourke and mike joyce. godtier rhythm section. paint a vulgar picture is dreadful. yeah on this listen, this album was pretty rough. some standout tracks for sure, but a lot of dredge. i liked death of a disco dancer, stop me if.. and the rest are either fine or shit.
I'm not keen on Morrisey's voice. Gave up halfway through.
One of my friends, favorite group, never did get it, though, when your best song is girlfriend in a coma that should be enough
Okay, not bad
Stupid, stupid songs
I just don't care. instrumentally, this is serviceable indie pop rock with a post-punk flair, including some extra bells and whistles not featured as much on previous Smiths albums like strings and synths and auxiliary percussion. but, like with all Smiths albums, I'm so damn bored while listening. even with the minor switch-ups in instrumentation and production, the band insists on writing the exact same songs, over and over and over again; you could count the various kinds of Smiths songs on one hand and probably not even use all your fingers. Morrissey sounds like he has a frog in his throat, and I'm very much dreading having to listen to his voice for two more Smiths albums and four of his solo albums. I will never understand what makes this band one of the greatest in history to so many people. snoozefest from front to back. strong 4/10.
Really made me sleepy thinking something good might come on...
not bad but not my style.
Didn't really like it - yet again, I didn't really like any of Morrissey's albums too, so it makes sense.
I don't like it
Not super familiar with the Smiths. I lump them into bands like the cure and Depeche Mode, although quite popular they were never my style of music. 2.5 stars
When I was at Uni all the cool kids seemed to be fanatical about The Smiths . I genuinely wondered (and still do) if part of this attraction was to enable a bit of public snobbery over their friends mainstream music. Whilst I cant be sure of this theory, I can be sure that Im still not cool enough to "get it"
I'm just not impressed
Ok, relaxing album that was pleasent to listen to but not really that interesting.
I love the early smiths, quite a bit actually. More than I'd probably let on. I don't like this at all. The only song on here I like (love actually) is last night I dreamt that somebody loved me. The rest varies between complete shit and boring. Don't get people who love this record.
2/5
There was nothing of note for me, definitely not an album that I needed to hear. 2 stars
boring, i hate the smiths
Pretty mid. Late 80s, what do you expect. Idk wasn’t repulsive. Wasn’t something I’d go back to. Honestly today anything is better than my overplayed algorithm so that’s maybe closing my judgement
Not for me. Pretty forgettable but not terrible.
My thoughts remain the same as with the previous Smiths album we had to listen to.
- smits on tuttu mutta en tiiä oonko tältä levyltä kuullu yhtäkää biisiä - kyllähän tää smitsiltä kuulostaa mut sit taas nää kuulostaa liikaa smitsiltä, vaikuttais siltä että smits itsessään ei mua napostele mutta smitsin parhaat biisit toimii - taidan pysyä niissä parhaissa biiseissä
Pure vibes
Overrated
Nah dog, this ain't it.
Not terrible but I didn't love it. Girlfriend in a Coma is a classic for this band/genre but the overall mood of the record is too sad for me.
It was ok, I’m still coloured by that Morrissey album horror. This one was less offensive and some catchy bits sprinkled throughout. Still have moments of that dripping with narcissism vibe that I hated with the Morrissey album. Not love.
That was boring.
Oh no The tunes are great and then Morrissey's voice is the worst thing I've ever heard
529/1001
The Mids 2.8 if I could
Would have really appealed to like a weird kid in the 80s but not for me. Fav song stop me if you think you've heard this one before
The Smiths sound like The Smiths. Shock
The music wasn’t bad, but it also wasn’t memorable. The lyrics didn’t make much sense. Morrissey sings like he’s impersonating an opera singer.
Just the wrong side of miserable for me
I tried to give this a fair shout and listened all the way through, but I cannot thole Morrissey. Whining obnoxious tosser spoils an otherwise interesting record.
mucho más mi estilo; rock alternativo y no tan heavy. ya conocía girlfriend in a coma canción fav: i won’t share you
Here it comes, the Smiths are about to blow me away … ok, just got back, they did not blow me away.
Didn’t tell me much.
For the life of me, I don't understand why they're so popular.
Its like Jeffrey Dahmer made an album. Music was fine, but too much murder for me
eh
Really could not get into this at all personally, just felt very same-y throughout the whole album
If I wanted to hear jangly incel nonsense I’d listen to a Midwest emo record
This has been the WORST Smiths album, imo. It barely kept my attention, and most just annoyed me. Would not recommend a second listen. It doesn’t get better.
The Smiths is one of the most generic names possible. Genius
Morrissey is an insufferable racist and the first song sounds like it could have been written by Nigel Farage. Also, "Girlfriend in a Coma" is probably the dumbest song this band ever recorded. I would rank this lower, but I have a soft spot for the music video to "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before"
Didn’t enjoy this. Not my thing
After enjoying the queen is dead and their self titled, this was a bit of a disappointment. Liked about 2 songs, the rest didt really click for me. 2 stars, don’t see myself revisiting it
actually not bad, just underwhelming... 4/10
Light rock. Enjoyable but nothing special. 5/10
Классика, но точно не топ 1000. Так сказать, концепция присутствует 🧐.
Very wishy washy. It had no bite, lacked fun too.
Little thing, selfish, and depressing. I want to like.the Smiths better than I do, I can’t seem to get there because It seems like the lead singer comes across as so self centered. I have heard and did enjoy Girlfriend in a Coma - this is the top track. (2.2*s) It’s serious (the coma, that is.)
The List has revealed to me that I am really not a Smiths fan and I'm glad this was the last album they ever made. Bored...so much so that I forgot this was even playing while driving in to work. I'm ready to put Morrisey and his works behind, never to return...1.49 stars.
Oh great, another Smiths album. Strangeways went down a little smoother than the others. Not sure if I was in a particularly glum mood or this one was just a little less depressing or whatever. I didn't realize The Smiths only have 4 albums. Most of their stuff is in the decent/OK/not bad realm for me but they have a handful of hits they I enjoy. More of this is not the worst just a little tiresome at this point. I'm not sure why the list creator finds Morrissey and company so intriguing. 2.57 stars
The smiths again??
Nice album. Some interesting lyrics and melodies. Not musically diverse.
Ok
The break-up album. Can you hear the unraveling (the classic banishment of other songwriting talent, separating them by album sides, material simply not working)? Did they put their best effort in despite it all and leave a lasting document (Abbey Road)? Do we hear this and wish it could’ve never ended? Mostly, what an odd duck of a record. There’s the atmospherics and imperial critique of A Rush and a Push. The extremely hokey, cloying Girlfriend in a Coma, which even at 13 I thought was silly. Followed immediately by a straight-up classic. And then a clunker and another goofy ass novelty song. Paint a Vulgar Picture starts off on an all-time footing and then reveals itself as an unworkable mess. All Smiths albums were short and this is no exception which may be its best quality as a parting statement, later dorks.
I do like the Smiths. Compared to their other stuff this album is... fine.
This is exactly what you’d think it’d be: a band completely fed up with each other while the charismatic frontman starts to find his voice away from them. The Smiths were well dead by this time, and Morrissey hadn’t quite found his solo voice. So what you get is a real doldrums of an album - well produced, but with little to no power of their earlier work. It stinks, and it’s a real bummer that this wasn’t just part of Morrissey’s solo work instead.
Not a great album from the Smiths, I was expecting a lot more on this album but I struggled getting through this one.
Just No
Dull, depressing, emo bullshit. The music is fine & I can dig it, then Morrissey opens his music & I gotta listen him drone on about being sad or not in love or his band he has to BE in. Sometimes the song is so sad it's unintentionally hilarious, like Unhappy Birthday. Second time exposed to Morrissey on here, this time with the Smiths. Still unimpressed. 2
I've been inconsisent between 2 and 3 stars but my rationale for 2 here is: -There are probably other Smiths albums on this list that are better. -Morrissey is a wanker
Only one banger on here
they dont know how to songwrite i think
Good band, good sound, and music.
Fairly unmemorable
The Good: We know before hand that this will be strange, in ways… The Bad: I cheered too soon thinking that this was my last Morrissey/Smiths album to endure… The Ugly: I’ve got 2 more to go after this one… So, about a month ago I listened to The Queen is Dead, which to my horror I actually found more than pleasant to listen to. This album, thankfully, puts me right back into not liking Morrissey at a high-high level. So, I won’t waste more time then I already have writing about an album I will never listen to again, ever. But, I will give it 2* as it’s music, with musicians and such...
There was a time when I had a slight “depressed” emo phase. Good thing I grew out of it with the help of medication. During that time, I listened to a lot of The Smiths and Morrissey. The music is really good but, Morrissey is really annoying at times. He is just too dark and brooding. I really don’t need that attitude anymore.
Dreary
the usual 2
Not for me
There were some parts of the production that I thought were pretty good, and I could hear some things that sounded like they inspired Radiohead that I enjoyed. It didn’t save the album though, I disliked most of the lyrics and melodies, and I cannot stand morrissey’s voice.
This record sucks
Morrissey sucks dick, this album is not much better
I thought The Smiths only released compilation albums? Big up Marr and Rourke, but even they couldn't subdue the fart sniffing wanker in command. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me will be added to my playlist (the version without 2minutes of wankyness at the start)
Make it stop. 2/5
I loathe Morrissey's voice, anything he sings I dislike. Good guitar work but the songs suck cause he's singing them. I am dumbfounded by how many listens this album has, only 3 songs under 10M, that's impressive, but it still blows. The sonics/mix on this album are better than other Smiths albums I've suffered through. 2 stars from me. I'm sure it's popular, not sure of influence, radio hits are almost none ("Girlfriend In A Coma" [so overrated]). The only song I kinda enjoyed was "A Rush And A Push..."
the smiths definitely have some really good songs but none of them were on this album. can’t knock johnny marr’s guitar playing but morrissey is just so goddamn depressing
The older I get the less I like The Smiths, especially post Meat Is Murder. Maybe it‘s blasphemous to admit that, I really just do not like Morrissey
Great first track but I can do without track 3s bleating hipster incantations. Didn’t know where « very nice » was from though. Solid drum breakdown at the end though. Track 4 is why I haven’t listened to The Smiths until now. Proto-hipter pablum with elevatory chorus that grates the longer it goes on. Mercifully, the song ends before it goes anywhere as though they couldn’t be bothered to finish writing it. Track 5: great bridge that makes me think I’ll love the smiths. Solid chorus too. And I like his vocals on this type of track vs the next one, 6, where I feel like he erroneously gave a generation of plaintive hipster bands permission to be whiney. Track 6: notwithstanding the above, when he actually opens up and sings I like his voice (not the falsetto). Track 8: meh. I can’t believe anyone thought this chord progression was song worthy. Track 9: could definitely grow on me a lot, I like it already at first listen. Overall, I’m getting the sense that I like upbeat smiths. And loath their ballady stuff—I think I don’t believe the emotional feel / it has none. Conceptually sad, without any sadness. Track 10: case in point. Can’t stand the plaintive sadness, feels fake. Track 2: missed it earlier. I like this. More confirmation of I like upbeat smiths.
I gave the other Morrisey/Smiths albums bad reviews without listening to them, but I thought I'd actually give this one a play, and it's nice to know that it's crap music as well as a crap person. Girlfriend In A Coma saves this from a one. Oh and once again , Fuuuuuuuuuck Morrisey
I did use a private session on Spotify for this one, I don't want Spotify to think I am a The Smiths fan, for quite a while Spotify was trying to turn me into a The Smiths fan, it didn't take. Nothing wrong with this album, as in I wasn't looking forward to it's end, in fact I listened to it twice. It won't be listened to again.
Morrissey is annoying. This album is fine I guess, but I doubt I'll listen again.
Kinda ok, but nothing really remarkable.
A 1-star improvement from Meat is Murder. Still not good. Morrissey sucks balls.
Boring.
Not a fan.
it just doesnt stand out to me idk, maybe im missing something
I never really liked them. I try to listen now to hear historical significance. But I dont like his voice.
Still not my thing.
2/4
Girlfriend in a Coma is me, and I am her. Pretty much unresponsive this whole album. I can’t stand Morrissey’s voice. As a sad music lover I suppose it get the appeal with some of the lyrics so I’ll give a 2 instead of a 1. But jeez
It’s fine I suppose, but Morrissey is a bit of a cunt.
Mehhhh
Not for me. Fairly repetitive and a real downer. They are trying to make you feel like crap. 2/5 Won't listen again
Of the records I’ve heard on this list, this is certainly one of them. Inoffensive for the most part. Unremarkable.
they try too hard
The few Jonny Marr hits aren’t enough to rescue this for me. Never been into the smiths and this hasn’t changed my mind
Mediocre album. Good to know he can grunt and moan into a microphone and also sing.
Pretty dull to be honest.
Bit dreary for me
First track was great. After that it bacme worse and worse.
Not for me at all
Never got all the hype for The Smiths and Morrissey. This isn't a bad album if you're in the mood for moody boy music. The problem is I'm rarely in the mood for that. 4.75/10 (2.375/5)
Honestly, some tracks could be cool if not for Morissey's voice
I'm not a huge fan of The Smiths, thought the songs were okay, and can tell that this is a record the fans would like, but for me it wasn't that exciting nor it gave me much desire to listen to it again.
Bottom line-I just don't like Morrissey's voice. It sounds whiney and lacks finesse. The songs are well written, the music is performed well. In the end, I just find them bland.