Strangeways, Here We Come

3,5

Not a bad album if you're in a Smiths mood

Pop inglés tranquilo y minimalista. Sin grandes estridencias. Voz con un toque original

it's great! seems like a more cerebral, atmospheric, less rousing set of smiths songs

Probably the worst of The Smith’s proper albums, but even their worst album is still pretty decent. Girlfriend in a Coma is a pure joy. Last Night I Dreamt is one of their saddest songs. No bad songs really, just not as fully realized as some of their earlier releases.

The original emos, this is another collection of their melancholy and sadness-tinged songs about love, betrayal, and the music industry.

I didn't want to tear my ears off like other Smiths albums. Still doesn't make it good.

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

"If you like the Smiths, this is pretty good" is the dominating thought, suggesting that one does, in fact, like the Smiths. The second half is lesser, but that appraisal grants that it's open for deep cut treatment. The band pulls tricks that should change the sound, most obviously with ambiguous country twang, but each song remains shrouded in typical Smiths beauty. It's final material without finality.

Goofy little man

yk what this album is acc pretty good. I recognised like half the songs from Thomas learning them on the bass and guitar and there are some tunes. the intro track has mega racist / anti immigration vibes to it. I started something I could not finish, stop me if you've heard this one before, last night I dreamt someone loved me are all mega tunes. girlfriend in a coma also even if the lyrics are really strange.

Overall enjoyed the album's proto-punk style generally as a one-off. Nothing standout except for one or so. Lyrics were pretty odd, but nothing extreme. Just not what I expected. Overall, fine.

This is one album by The Smiths that I wasn't fully familiar with and what can I say? They just don't disappoint.

Liked it more than I thought I would. Johnny Mar is an innovative and inventive guitarist. Morrissey is an insufferable prick.

I normally don’t like The Smiths that much but I haven’t heard this album so let’s see…first song and Morrissey is growling at me? Oh wait, he’s still doing it in the second song. He finally stopped growling but my opinion of The Smiths hasn’t changed, nothing incredible or groundbreaking.

actually good, why did they have to stop here :(

Fun songs

Classic

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

Yeah there was some interesting stuff here, but equally some weird songs I’ve no interest in returning to.

Morrissey sucks but The Smiths don't. Perfect sadboi music for the era.

Already one of the GOATS

A tremendous album. Funny, moving, and more than the sum of its parts. Their best

Finally! An upbeat song about a girlfriend in a coma!

This is the third album by The Smiths in this project, and I think it is my favorite so far. How can you go wrong with such titles such as "Girlfriend in a Coma," "Death of a Disco Dancer," and "Unhappy Birthday"? "Girlfriend in a Coma," by the way, has always been my favorite Smiths song. The only really dreary moment here was the first two minutes of the also-perfectly-dreary-titled "Last Night I Dreamt that Somebody Loved Me." But overall I really liked this album, and it's too bad The Smiths ended just as they got to this really good place.

Yeah...so, The Smiths...again... Is there something distinctively different about this one? Ummm, I think so?? I guess it seemed a bit more upbeat/catchy, like my attention was a but less inclined to wander. Even so, I didn't really love the album. I would probably still rank it in the "well, at least I don't feel that I have to run out of the room screaming" category, but maybe on the upper end of that block.

A Smiths album I actually liked! I played it three times! Super catchy and I could tell the songs apart. Finally!

I loved this and no longer know who I am.

así empezamos, y después terminás queriendo más a un pancho q a una persona

Not the best The Smiths album but it still is amazing.

Never really got The Smiths, and the cod-reggae opener didn't help. Chuck in the 'lyrics' to Paint and I wonder why anyone ever lauded Morrissey's way with words. Those words clearly got away from him. Apparently both Morrissey and Marr claim this is their best album, which probably tells me all I need to know about this.

The Smiths had pretty much run out of steam by '87. There's little of the original anger passion from the first three albums here. You can see why Strangeways was the album that ended it all. Marr's music is stronger than Morrissey's lyrics. A few gems poke through - Girlfriend in a Coma is great. But otherwise it's not the first Smiths albums you reach for, if indeed you reach for any these days.

Some people say: If you know one album by The Smiths you know basically every Smiths song. Parts of that are true but I think that's mainly because of Morrissey's voice. There is some great musicianship next to his vocal delivery and I think you can hear that on this LP. It is a great listen and maybe the one you need by this band.

the smits ,<3

Morussy

Favourite song: A Rush and a Push

Great

Decent. Favourite tracks include, 'Last Night I Dreamt (That Somebody Loved Me)'. Morrisey's vocals got annoying after a while. A short, no doubt well produced body of work, but I could not really connect with it on the most part.

The beginning tracks are meh, the middle is banging and the last 2 tracks fall off for me.

Mellow

Very good

goddamn it morrisey

It was kinda mid

Some of the songs were ok like girlfriend in a coma but Morrissey has a really whiny singing voice. Morrissey sucks.

First half is a sleeper. Little disappointed as i love the other Smiths albums but far from the worst album I've heard. Writing a bit boring and not as catchy tunes. Last night I dreamt and stop me are beautiful songs. I won't share you as well :)

meh

STRANGEWAYS! I love this album. A Rush And A Push was probably the first Smiths song I loved. Something about that keyboard line. I could very easily add the whole record to the Notable Songs list... It's just too good. Notable Songs - A Rush And A Push And The Land Is Ours I Started Something I Couldn't Finish Girlfriend In A Coma 10/10 Album. No skips or lesser songs. No complaints. Love it.

I've never been able to get into The Smiths. I groaned internally when I saw this as the next album. However, I found myself enjoying this album. More like 3.5 stars. A bit less maudlin then their other albums.

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

Preferred the production but songs got weaker towards the end

Very new wave!

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

The only two bands people are impressed by having seen twice are Nirvana and the Smiths - the latter at the Hacienda and Oxford Apollo, a gig at which future life partner was at but as yet unbenownst to me. All of their albums are five stars, and this is no exception. On yet another relisten you can hear how they had perfected the Smiths sound to such a ridiculous degree that they had said all there was to say: the 2-minute pop thrill dominated by Marr's chiming guitar and rousing choruses (Girlfriend In A Coma, Stop Me, Unhappy Birthday, A Rush and A Push) and the moody workout with a slower pace and more expansive arrangements (Disco Dancer, Last Night, I Won't Share You). Apart from that one can hear some of the early Morrissey quirkiness transforming into People I Do Not Like and Why They Are Awful: here disco dancers, record company executives and girlfriends. Alternative: Unattainable Heroes On A Pedastal who Still Make Me Miserable Even Though I Adore Them (Last Night.., Dead Pop Stars, Dan).

:))

Fuck Morrissey! Ok that out of the way, I do fucking love The Smiths. It is a bit disappointing to me that their self titled never made the list, I do prefer it to this one. I'm still giving this a 4 though because it is still so good. "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" is my favorite song on the album. "Girlfriend in a Coma" is also a good track and as a single guy getting this album on Valentine's Day it is a bit funny to listen to that song. And funny enough I listened to the album and The Queen Is Dead this past Thursday because I was craving some good Andy Rourke bass lines. They aren't the most impressive, but they are catchy and distinct.

3.5

i love the smiths I SAID I LOVE THE SIMTHS

I love The Smiths. This album is decent. I like the ambiguity many of the songs on it have. I think it's not one of my favorite albums from them, though.

A shame that Morrissey is such a cunt because this album is actually pretty good

Oh what to do about the Morrissey of it all? Love this album and think 5 stars right away but then I remember that Morrissey is a thing, this is always tough, separating the art from the artist. In the end this record is too good not to rate a 5, but fuck Morrissey!

Didn't really listen to the Smiths back in the day but there are some great tracks on here.

This smiths album feels airy and light compared to some of their others...not sure why. Some good tunes, but Morissey is still a tool.

Very Good.

I like the synth evolution of The Smiths’ sound on this album and mourn for what could’ve been had the band stayed together. There’s some misogyny about this album. Or maybe it’s misanthropy. Either way, it somehow adds to the mystique of the sound.

Admittedly, I'm not the biggest Smiths fan, but this album hooked me right away. Enjoyable to listen to, but a lot of it sounded pretty similar, so nothing really stuck out for me. Not a bad thing, as it was enjoyable enough for me to listen to again, but not 5 star material.

Еще что-то интересное. Смиты все еще охуенно драйвовые(в плане ритма и настроения) и заражают какой-то бодростью и весельем. Очень приятно начать было с них понедельник очередной))

The Smiths хороши. Но мне больше по душе The Queen Is Dead. Звук классный, однородный. Есть мой любимый безладовый бас. И всё-такое живое и настоящее как бы... Легко и непринужденно пронёсся этот альбом. Да так, что прям особо много и не напишешь. Оценка здесь относительная, по вышеназванной причине. Не большой фанат The Smiths, переслушивать вряд ли скоро буду, но просто запомню для себя, что здесь есть позитивные песенки.

A decent album. Enjoyable.

Just great stuff. Love a lot of the composition, and Morrissey's got a terrific voice. I'm surprised how much I enjoyed this.

I like the kinda echo-ey instrumentation, but the vocals are a bit drone-y

Not my favorite Smiths album but some great songs and more consistent end to end than The Queen is Dead. I get it Morissey is an asshole etc but he knows how to make indie rock music like few others.

lower end smiths album honestly

Good stuff

Morrissey gör konstiga röster och Johnny Marrs gitarr är inte lika prevalent som på andra album men de e ändå ba banger efter banger

Galet hu ja int uppskattar lyriken lika mycke som när ja va typ 16 Trevliga melodier dock men nog svagare än ja sku minnas

Their weakest effort, unfortunately. The songs sound too different to form a cohesive whole, and the songs on their own vary in quality. Still, an enjoyable listen

Mest mid smiths albumet?!

Polarising, even for me. But when I'm in the mood for the Smiths they're great. When I'm not I'd listen to almost anything else. "Death of a disco dancer" is fantastic. Maybe was just in the mood but it's a 5 for me.

Great melodies, great lyrics. It's jangle pop with keyboards. The singer has a very distinct voice. Favorite song: Stop me if you think you heard this one before.

As much as I hate Morrissey, the lyrics and Johnny Marr make up for the hatred as the songs are alwasy good. Brilliant ideas that flow effortlessly amongst one another. Overall 8/10 cos its Morrissey.

I’m surprised how good this one was to be honest I thought it was meant to be some sorta flop for the smiths but the songs are very good, I’ll give it a 4/5 though because it’s very front loaded.

I'm trying with Morrissey, but...nope. Still can't get there.

Seems to lack the energy of the earlier Smiths albums. Not bad, but quite forgettable.

So OK, *The Queen Is Dead* is in my list of essential albums as well, there are so many great songs in it. But do we *really* need another record from The Smiths in said list? All the other LPs are clearly at least a notch under in term of overall quality: it's that sometimes annoying "affected" way that Morrissey sings those tunes. And the man has become such an egregious character today that, frankly, one wishes mentions of him should not exceed what is strictly necessary for the general purposes of such a list. Maybe we should leave some room for amazing artists that are also bright enough so as to *not* turn into complete twats as they get older. In that line of thought, I suddenly realize that I should now apply the exact same thing for Kanye West. Ouch, that's hard. I still feel *MBDTF* and *Yeezus* (along with one of the two first "Registration" albums, maybe) should be included in my list... So OK--given that The Smith have only released four "real" albums, I should at least include a second one by them. So let's dive into those 'Strangeways'... "I Started Something I Could Not Finish" is a nice tune, with a great chord progression and witty lyrics: "Death Of A Disco Dancer" is a mesmerizing atmospheric piece with an effective build-up; "Girl In A Coma" is nice little sardonic pop cut (amazing strings arrangements on this one): "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" is catchy as hell: "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me" has another one of those terrific chord progressions (everyone raves about Johnny Marr's guitar playing, but he was great composer as well)... As for "Paint A Vulgar Picture", its ironic lyrics comparing a love affair to the shenanigans of the music industry haven't aged a day... Jeeze. I think I *really like* this record, actually. My first impulse was to say I wouldn't select *Strangeways, Here We Come* for my list and take the eponymous debut album instead. But I admit it, I'm hesitating now. And if I take this one as well, why leaving *Meat Is Murder* on the wayside? It's the patchiest affair in The Smiths' discography, but it still has some impressive cuts in it... Damn, I wish Morrissey wasn't such a a-hole today. I guess being a great artist doesn't necessarily prevent you from becoming a poor sod. And yet, I really *tried* not to "separate the man from the artist" here... Number of albums left to review or just listen to: less than 700, I've temporarily lost count here Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens:  approximately a half so far  Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: a quarter (including this one) Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): the last quarter

Overarching theme of melancholy Songs like Girlfriend in a coma sound like a parody of the band Mix of sad sounding songs in the major key giving them an initial disguise of a happy songs Some songs flow into each other as if the album is one song broken up into choruses verses bridges and interludes Album seems to give a feeling of thatcher England The band sound varies from school drama club to pub band to big stage band

one of my favourite albums

Very nice

Back in the day, I never got into The Smiths. My sister had their albums, I listened, they sounded okay, inoffensive, lush (at times), even keel music that was fine, but to me they were boring. I liked similar sounding bands and always felt The Smiths were a tad bit overrated and couldn't understand why they gained so much success and acclaim. This album is a good record, most of them are, but for me, not essential.

Love this one already! whopper.

!!!!!!

Smiths are good nothing too crazy from this one but a solid album

Growing up in Manchester I also obviously grew up with The Smiths and New Order, and it was the perfect counter soundtrack to the shite on the radio from the mid 80s onwards. I listened to this one less than TQID or Hatful of Hollow mainly, and they might have more straightforward classic Smith's songs, but this pushes the boat out musically and atmospherically, Death of a Disco Dancer being a prime example. Last Night I Dreamt... (surely one of their greatest ever songs). And there's still the pop, Girlfriend in a Coma, Stop Me if you think etc. Unhappy Birthday. The lyrics are great and affecting as ever. I'm beginning to get more comfortable separating 80s Morrissey from whoever this is now, and really enjoy the genius of what they created together back then. Anything else is pure self-denial. Some magnificent stuff here.

Well, it's definitely the best The Smiths have ever sounded. Not that that's saying much. But this one is actually enjoyable which is a pleasant departure from their norm. You still have to sit through Morrissey's bullshit but, if you grit your teeth and suffer through his vocals, there's a really decent album underneath.

This was really solid, I don't have much to elaborate on,

Not great. Not awful not great.

It was ok. It’s the smiths for sure. 3.5/5

Not a big Smiths fan. And this sure did sound like the Smiths.

Already listened to it. Pretty good, Paint a Vulgar Picture is probably my favourite

Stop blubbering about Morrissey's political shenanigans, whatever they are. I rated The Blueprint the other day, and you didn't see me comment on Jay-Z's morally cringeworthy affinity for the dishonorable Louis Farrakhan, did you? Well, now you did. Rate what's here, and what's here is a nice 6.5/10. The Smiths always have a tasty vibe and beautiful sound.

p573. 1987. 3 stars One of my musical blind spots. I don't like The Smiths, mostly because of Morrissey's whining voice, its like a mosquito on Valium. Set against that, this is actually OK - unlike most of their other albums, the songs don't all sound the same. Still a blind spot though.

Heard it before?: Yes Enjoy it?: I love it, you know what you’re getting with the smiths and they just never disappointed Favourite song: Track 8 - Paint A Vulgar Picture

Käsin tehty puusta. Se oli yhtä kallis kuin muut neljä kappaletta, eikä yleisö kuullut Morrisin ääntä. Johnny Marr ei kuollut myrskyssä. Mielestäni tämä tarina on yksi Smithin parhaista, eikä erilainen Ei ole parempaa tapaa. Haluan tehdä sen, jos mahdollista. A Rush and a Push and the Land is Ours

Nope.

Perhaps the most underrated Smiths album. Side one is absolute gold. Side 2 not far behind. 4.5 stars

If it wasn't for what Morrissey represents today, I'd probably be more OK with listening to The Smiths. Otherwise, good album, though I'd be struggling to pick a stand-out song here.

It's interesting, I've not listened to The Smiths before, and my first real experience with their music happens to be their last album. It's like skipping to the end of the book since I'm aware of how The Smiths came to an end as a band. It's easy to see why so many people adore this band though. Morrissey's voice is incredible, near hypnotizing. Girlfriend in a Coma was meant to be the star, but I found myself enjoying I Started Something I Couldn't Finish & Death of Disco Dancer more my speed on the A-Side. The B-Side opens with Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Love Me, and holy shit, does this song hit. It has a dream like quality to it, it feels operatic in scope and grandeur. Looking into it, both Morrissey & Marr feel its the best thing The Smiths did, and my limited experience agrees. I enjoyed Death at One's Elbow too, a sort of outta nowhere bluesy experience. Overall, I enjoyed the album, and look forward to hearing more.

I’m not sure you could be sad that The Smiths stopped making albums. Morrissey’s voice worked for a while but by this time it started to be irritating. I guess he didn’t get that since he made so many solo albums after.

I can’t think of a more apropos opening line to a Morrisey-penned tune than “Stop me if you think you’ve heard this one before…” I like that song, and remember it as been the “hit”. I also like the opener, especially the way he rolls the R on RRRRRush. The production on this album is more wall-of-sound than past efforts and it’s interesting that Johnny Marr said he wanted it to sound like a Walker Brothers Album, since they could sound a bit mushy at times, which would make Morrisey the ideal vocalist for such a venture. Songs like “Girlfriend in a Coma” and “Unhappy Birthday” are warm-ups for Morrisey’s solo career. I will not continue my rant about how this album could have possibly been selected over their debut.

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

Strangely alt pop

One misremembers this as a compilation so finds it excellence half-surprising. One should have known better (or remembered clearer) as this is the Smiths after all. It's outstanding throughout if not the apogee of their work. "Death of a Disco Dancer" is hugely underrated slow burn of pure Marrsian vintage. "Girlfriend in a Coma" classic Morrissey and "Paint a Vulgar Picture" their version of REM's "Voice of Harold." If this had to be the end, it was damn near to going out on top.

top tracks: a rush a pull, i started smth, stop me if you think, last night i dreamt, i won’t share you morrissey kind of slay in a miserable gay man way

The Smiths. I love The Smiths

Good album

I liked this much more than The Queen is Dead. Depressing lyrics disguised by upbeat music is my jam.

A solid effort from the band. I noticed a bit more synth than I did on 'The Queen is Dead' but pretty enjoyable overall. Much like their debut album the songs are all good with one or two definite standouts on the tracklist. 3.5/5

El primer que vaig escoltar, i el disc de The Smiths de què guardo millor record. Passa per ser el menys bo d'una discografia tan breu com essencial, però és impossible menystenir un disc amb 10 joies com aquest. 'Girlfriend in a Coma', 'Unhappy Birthday', 'A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours'... Brillant de començament a final i un dels millors discos de comiat de la història

Burde nok høre mer på dette albumet

Not my favourite but Johnny Marr 4eva

Hipster bedoeling, maar OK

I’m familiar with The Queen is Dead and a handful of singles. The Queen is Dead is a fantastic album and I was looking forward to this one. Assumed I’d be deciding between a 4 and 5. It fell flat for me though. Not enough melody hooks. Morrissey’s voice is just boring. Gave the album a few listens and it never started to grow on me.

Feel like i kinda like the smiths

8.5/10

Not much wrong with this. Apart from the self-pity of course

I'm a stranger when it comes to The Smiths. For whatever reason I've put off listening to them even though I know they are the precursor to some of my favorite bands. I got into this album almost immediately and have found something like about almost every song. Though "Death of a Disco Dancer" is my favorite.

Weee I'm back baby!! This album is pretty good! The Queen is Dead is one of my all time favorites and they have some great compilations, so I was really looking forward to this. My favorite song is definitely Girlfriend in a Coma, which I've known since Hannah Lipstein put it on a mixtape for me sometime in the late 2000s. Truly, a tastemaker. And I love the growling sounds Morrissey makes on "A Rush and a Push and the land is ours." Those are probably the only two songs I will seek out from this album in the future. Still, gotta love some of those sweetly sociopathic lyrics on other tracks: "I still love you, only slightly less than I used to my love."

I don’t quite know what to make of the Smiths yet, if I’m honest. I’m too distracted by Morrissey’s lyrics and the pervasive silliness of the music. There’s clearly something more complex going under the surface with these lyrics, but it evades me. It’s got this funny skip to it, most of the music… almost silly? I think I need more time with this one.

I’m another stranger to The Smiths, though I’m told Hannah was decades ahead of me in high school (middle school?!). What’s new? This album was enjoyable with two standout songs for me: Girlfriend in a Coma and A Rush and A Push and The Land is Ours. I enjoyed the guttural sounds throughout the album and especially in the first track. Girlfriend in a Coma I could listen to over and over. It’s catchy, silly, and now saved to a few of my playlists. Overall, happy I know a bit of The Smiths. I’m told The Queen is Dead is the album I should really listen to, though.

Great, of course.

Correct, sans plus!

goed

Dark and depressing but a fun listen.

WHY THE FUCK WOULD YOU DO A SONG ABOUT A GIRLFRIEND IN A COMA? Two songs later he's singing poignant lyrics about love and the sadness that comes from its lack. Then we get a nasty song wishing an ex an unhappy birthday which is full of hatred. He was 28 when he wrote this, surely he's past teenage melodrama by now. Seriously, Morrisey is a gigantic twat from just reading his lyrics, let alone his public rantings. Somehow his whiny voice works while Johnny and the rest of the band are brilliant. If I kept listening to this is probably go 5 starts as it is quite addictive.

Standout: I won't share you. Listened to the album twice through because I always feel like I should like The Smiths more than I do. It's tricky. I'll fall for one song on an album but I find on a full album, the songs sound similar enough that they lose my attention. And to me, they sing kind of dispassionately which is not in my nature - I'm looking to be brought to high highs or reduced to low lows by great music. And on this album, I didn't feel strongly moved in any direction.

Oh fuck yes. Inject it directly into my veins. I've only ever really listened to The Queen is Dead and The Smiths, but I absolutely love those albums. This album started off really strong for me and kind of slowed down towards the end, but I'm glad to have finally listened to it all the way through. Standouts: A Rush and a Push and the Land is Ours, I Started Something I Couldn't Finish, Death of a Disco Dancer, Girlfriend in a Coma, Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before

Tykkäsin kyllä. Ehkä jotkut kappaleet oli vähän synkähköjä omaan makuun, mutta osa oli tosi hyviä. Yhtä olen kuunnellut nyt jatkuvasti, joten ylivoimainen suosikki: Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me.

Alan huomata, että näiden albumeiden arvostelu käy koko ajan hankalammaks, jos yritän millään tavalla suhteuttaa uusia arvioita aiemmin arvosteltuihin levyihin tai saman bändin toisiin levyihin. Tää on kuitenkin kans ollut kuuntelussa niin paljon, ja tällä albumilla on pari kappaletta, joita pidän omien kaikkien aikojen suosikkien joukossa The Smithsiltä, että taidan antaa tälle vitosen. Suosikkeja: I Started Something I Couldn't Finish, Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before, Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me

There are attempts here at sonic palettes beyond the usual jangly guitar and 4x4 drums that characterize most Smiths songs, but they're hamstrung by Morrissey taking an off-day and not even trying to show up in the vocal department.

Yes 4.5

Not bad, but definitely not as good as Meat is Murder or The Queen is Dead. “Last Night I Dreamt” is a totally awesome song though

This is probably a 4 star album but I don’t really feel like I need/want to listen to it again, so I’ll give it 3. Album Cover: Giving me nothing 1/5

Already love The Smiths Hadn’t heard this album before Last Night I Dreamt Somebody Love Me Unhappy Birthday

So eighties! Mellow and melodic.

La voce del cantante degli Smiths ha un non so che di confortante per me. E comunque più li ascolto e più penso ai Cranberries :) Bello l'assolo di chitarra alla fine del quinto brano.

Not bad, better than most of the Brit Pop

Kinda got bored, not my style

Voz característica dos anos 80, sem maior relevância para mim.

Really enjoying this continued deep dive into The Smiths’ back catalogue. Whilst this one doesn’t contain the biggest hits (though I’ve always loved ‘I Started Something’), the music and production had become so vibrant at this point. It tails off a bit at the end, but overall, a cracking listen and a fitting swan song.

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

it’s a good one

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

Very good album.

Rather dark lyrics but great melodies

Loved it

Sneaky 4 songs saved but also that song about having a gf in a coma irrationally pissed me off so much. That was peak cringe from Morrissey, who is no stranger to cringe.

very smith sounding album. not bad

mmmhhhh ?

Generic smiths, nothing bad to say here but no sings jump out at me like the standout tracks on their other albums.

Rann ljúflega

Yesssssss

No thank you.

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.

Would you believe me if I said that The Smiths never made a bad album in their core discography of 5 albums? It's rare for a band or artist to so quickly and definitively find their sound and consistently produce quality records without it getting stale. Strangeways continues to present the Smiths in a sonically rich production. Songwriting is still good, but not quite as hard-hitting as the songs on the prior album, "The Queen Is Dead". This was seemingly a transitional album for the Smiths, though whether there were plans to transition into a new album instead of a wind-down into a breakup is unknown. It is clear that Marr (bless his heart) and Morrissey (fuck him) were at odds with one another at this point in the Smiths. Thus, we see the end to an incredible group.

On this record some songs are better than others. Still solid though.

Estilo típico de The Smiths. Ningún megahit. Un 4.

Classic pop. Morrissey is often made fun of, but his voice was one to be reckoned with. This is less driving than their previous album, but still one of infinite moodiness.

I guess they're just not quite in my wheelhouse but they're not objectively bad.

Not nearly at the same level as The Queen Is Dead. It just sounds like they are trying too hard and Morissey sounds like he has bought into his fame and has become even more pretentious.

Well, it was a lot better than The Queen is Dead. I actually really like Death of a Disco Dancer and Unhappy Birthday. However apart from those 2 tracks they all kinda sound the same to me. If you don't listen quite carefully your attention just drifts away. Still I'll give it a 3 'cause I found 2 songs I liked on it which was way more than I was expecting, normally i am just allergic to The Smiths!

09/20/2022 Hmm...not great tbh. Their albums really have a tendency to drag. A rush and a push is one of my favorite smiths songs though bc I used to listen to it a lot in high school. -- 6pm, still working on studio, Probably gonna be here for another several hours, but at least it will finally be done. Today I haven't been feeling great, but it was honestly better than yesterday. Still super anxious, still want to cry every 30 minutes, but it's fine. Just hope that I can be strong enough to pull myself out of this damn pit, look back, and know that I've learned to never be this low again.

I used to really hate the Smiths back when they were actually making music. My views on them have softened over the years, to the point that I actually enjoy them. This album I liked a lot. It seemed to display more maturity and polish than most of their work. 4 stars.

the ususal.

I didn't want to listen to this really

Pretty terrible it was a struggle to make it through

Another great album by The Smiths. But IMO album QID is better.

I feel like I'm contractually obligated to say, "Fuck Morrisey". That said, he still makes damn good music.

Okeyish

All sounds the same

It's just all a bit boring tbh. After listening to this I went and played Family Entertainment (1969). Now that's proper music.

As always amazing s9ngs by a massive walker.

Loved this in the 80s. Less so now, (thanks Morrissey, you bellend) but nostalgia triumphs so all good

Oh, so this is why people like The Smiths. Not bad.

There's quite a few I like on this. 3.5

I liked it better than the queen is dead. Some good and catch songs. Easy to listen to.

Good vibes, would listen again

Μέτριο

Good but not great.

Songs I liked: A Rush and a Push and the Land is Ours Unhappy Birthday

Tiene algunos tracks muy buenos

Shmeh. Couple of good songs but lots of it kinda samey. I've heard better from The Smiths

Depressing as always.

8/10. Not sure if this album is better than other Smiths albums, or if I am just getting Stockholm syndrome

Morrissey was kinda cooking on this album. Everything is so comically morose. 8/10

Great album, but The Queen Is Dead will always be my favorite.

Such an easy listen. This really is an album experience from Moz and the boys. Girlfriend in a Coma is a highlight. Loved this one.

Marr and Morrissey work together beautifully on this record, 4/5 Highlight- "Death of a Disco Dancer"

Nice

It's like they grew up and saved the best album till last. Marr took them in a new direction and the result is a more mature sound than their first albums

This might be my favorite The Smiths albums. I listened to all the others... and this just beats The Queen is Dead for me. You see... it's such *funny* album. 5/5 - iconic

Was aight

Love The Smiths. The latter part of the album is not my favorite, but the rest more then makes up for it. Great album to go out on.. 4/5

Fucking loved it but not all time

Amo The Smiths y no había escuchado este álbum. No pude escucharlo con mucha atención así que toca hacerlo otra vez

Great, as all The Smiths albums.

Good

Awesome album. Haven't listened in a long while. Went on a Smith's listening spree after this.

Too melodramatic for me.

Elle t'énerve mais la voir dans le coma te tuerait

t'écoutes pas les paroles et tu regardes pas la couverture franchement t'es bien

Good...probably had only ever heard Girlfriend In a Coma before Influenced Radiohead? Liked "Unhappy Birthday" song

<3<3<3 ikkje da besta smiths albumet då

Mozzie and the gang har liksom aldri funka heilt for meg

It grows on you…

Meh. Not bad, not good.

The first time I have listened to a Smith's album start to finish. Sounds rather samey, really.

This is the fourth and final (studio) album by English rock band The Smiths, released after they already disbanded. (They would have one final live album released in 1988.) This fourth album stands as the band's best work and has been certified gold in the UK. I liked the indie rock music from this 80's British album, but it doesn't compare to some of the more popular albums on this 1001 album journey.

Good

Mostly unremarkable Brit pop rock propped up by an apparently highly effective media campaign. Best track: Paint a Vulgar Picture

Awesome!

Morrissey is a twat

They started something. Still hate his voice.

misery has never been less fun

Do you like synth 80s music and whiny monotonous voices? Then this album is for you. I thought this was exceptionally boring.

Impossible to be impartial with this band but that’s not really a problem when you hear how good they are. This album, like almost everything The Smiths put out, is a pop masterpiece. Plain and simple. From the very first track Johnny Marr’s ambition to move away from the domain of jangle pop into a more expansive sound impresses itself. In fact this record in some respects is the full realisation of everything The Smiths wanted to be. Not beholden to the past but greatly indebted to it. Also noteworthy is the surprisingly abstract, though no less literate, lyrical content of Morrissey. So much can be said about the enigmatic frontman which might best be saved for another of his albums. But unquestionably he raised the bar for lyrical contemplation in pop music, and in many ways contemporary music criticism is centred around considerations of his style, and the droves of imitators he spawned. An undeniably singular pop group who have never been rivalled.

Some iffy shmeh songs, but I can't not like the smiths 😔

A super chill album that could be nice to just drive to at night and chill. It's a good vibe. A super nice night album. Especially in the beginning. At the end it falls of in my perspective. Though there are some really vibey songs in here. You just gotta find them. A very ok album. I'm glad I'm expanding my music though. "last night i drempt the somebody loved me" is a banger. A modern classic if it comes out rn.

Listened to on 8/10/22 3/5 Favorite song: girlfriend in a coma Not my favorite of their albums because the vibes were all over the place but it was easy background music

A bit depressing but it’s the Smiths so what are ya gonna do? The music was still good so a 3. Favorite song was probably I Won’t Share You.

Morrissey is an asshole but I love The Smiths

Cracking album, it's a shame Morrissey is such a bell end - I was tempted to dock a star - but Johnny Marr is a wizard, so 5/5 it is.

No bangers but I’d like to revisit this album. Good sound

meh.

queen is dead is a lot better half of this album are mid 7/10

not bad at all

Not much of an albums band are they? Only really one standout track (Stop Me etc) and the rest fairly forgettable.

It was aight

Surprised by this one. Actually really enjoyed this album. Had never listened to The Smiths previously.

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

Brilliant. 4.5/5 This is an album that I am very glad I heard before I die. Outstanding! Every song is amazing.

I really liked meat is murder when I listened to it but I didn’t realize until this album that the smiths was a much more modern band. I like their sound and they feel much older of a sound than the other bands of the 80s

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

Nothing special, but not bad.

This was good, if a bit wistful and short.

highlights: - a rrrrush and a push and the land is ours - stop me if you think you've heard this one before - i started something i couldn't finish least favs: none really first half is a banger

Just what I would expect from The Smiths.

Sort of wish the rating system on here allowed for half stars. This album is right in that 4.5 zone. It isn't quite a five but it's very close. So I guess I am just going to give it a 4. But it's a bit better than that.

Not for me

The Smiths are in that weird range of post punk and pre 90s grunge. By the time this album came out they were already an established band and the album really reflects the sound of that time. I enjoyed the album a lot and found it be something I could easily come back to. Of course, I would need a pack of smokes and a leather jacket but I can do that.

Listening to this brought back memories of the mid- to late-'80s, elementary school, hanging out with our babysitter who was probably playing this constantly, but nothing here truly stood out to me. I did enjoy it though, so I'll probably need to give this one another few plays to see if I can find the truly incredible parts of it.

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!

This album was moody and irritating.

This was a fun listen! I can hear so many influences for current bands like The Decemberists and so many others. A good number of the songs jumped out to me and were super enjoyable. I’ll come back this in the future for sure.

Girlfriend in a coma and unhappy birthday still make me laugh 30+ years later...otherwise.had forgotten their very signature sound

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.

There should be a sub category for people that made beautiful music while being ugly to each other

I liked this album. The smiths have a great sound and the leads voice is so soothing to me. Unhappy birthday is hilarious to me.

soft vibes but not catchy enough to really get into it

This is a great album and an excellent jumping off point for both The Smiths and also for pretty much all post-punk 80s stuff. 5/5

Solid British pop/rock album. Definitely a root album for early Radiohead style songs

Despite Morrissey turning to the dark side, I can still listen to this and experience unrestrained joy! Who else could make the idea of their girlfriend being in a coma sound so appealing?

A really enjoyable batch of songs. Not quite as great as their best albums but it does have some classic tracks on it like “Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before” and the record industry takedown “Paint a Vulgar Picture.” I also really like the glistening closing track “I Won’t Share You.”

Nice dynamic album. I like the arrangements and I think it's overall a nice record to put on and listen through in one sitting. There's some fun production elements here too- like "Death of a Disco Dancer" has some fun little guitar SFX type of plucks happening. I can't say enough about how much I enjoy the pacing. There's such a good mix of songs on the album and it all flows really nicely.

I love the outright depressing nature of the lyrics, and can appreciate the singers voice when he isn't growling.

4.25

Okay, lyrically I get why this was catnip to broody teens. But the crooning over swaying andante tempos? I’m going to need a lot more guitar angst to make this work for me (How Soon Is Now, and nothing less). Paint a Vulgar Picture was particularly bad.

Hello old friend. I much prefer Meat Is Murder, but I'll accept this on the list! Too short and a couple of throwaway numbers on this, but that's always been the Smiths style. Great album.

wonderful

To sie nazywa dobry pick na polowe listy, ostatni studyjny krazek od The smiths z 87, wiec cos sie konczy cos zaczyna, bo gdyby nie eksperymenty tej plyty, to pan Morrissey tak odwaznie nie wkroczylby w solowa tworczosc, bo Strangeways, Here We Come jak go teraz slucham wydaje sie byc poligonem na ktorym bylo testowane jak bardzo mozna dac sie poniesc rokowemu brzmieniu, a jednoczesnie nie stracic brandowego feelingu junglowego popu, ktore bylo jedna z najabardziej charakterystycznych, no moze poza ego pan spiewaka, ktore kupilo wielu sluchaczy, w tym rowniez mnie, elementow muzyki zespolu, a na tych 36 minutach mniej jest typowego syntezatorowego i catchowego grania na rzecz harmonijek, harpow czy wymyslnych cymbalow zwanych marimbami, jest to tez jedyny krazek na ktorym sam pan Morrissey cos gra instrumentalnie, sa to klawisze na death of the disco dancer, ktore raczej hajlajtem plyty czy nawet utworu nie sa, 36 minut podzielone na 10 trakow, ale nie sa to typowo 3,5 miniutowe utwory, bo zdarzaja sie nawet 5 minutowe traki ktore wpisuja sie w eksperymenty w poszukiwaniu swiezego stylu, a krotsze piosenki, jak jeden z szlagierow nagrania czyli girlfriend in a coma bardziej przypominaja material z the queen is dead, comowy song to jeden z najbardziej memicznych utworow bandy jesli zestawi sie go z ewangelionowa scena szpitalna, wiec kolejny raz slucham plyty i tak jak w reszcie dyskografii tego skarbu brytyjskiej muzyki rozrywkowej moge sie osluchwiac bez konca, ile w tym wspomnien i doomerskiego weltschmerza, ktory tak potrafia obudzic w czlowieku, a ile naprawde dobrej muzyki ktora laczy w sobie potezne ego wokalisty i solidna robote bandy ktora mu na to pozwalala, zwlaszcza pana Marra, ktory byl rownie wazna osoba dowodzaca ktora miala najwiekszy wplyw na to jak muzycznie kierowal sie zespol, na plejke leci wspomniana dziewczyna w swipaczce i i started something i couldnt finish, ktora ma jeden z bardziej bangierowych openingow jakie mozna uslyszec na plycie

Very enjoyable listen.

Did not now this record but there are, as expected, interesting lyrics and excellent rhythms and timbres.

Wow, great album that surprised me because I didn't think I enjoyed The Smiths this much. Too bad Morrisey is such an asshole.

A great example of their unique , somber pop.

It was okay, a bit dour for me

I used to like a bit of The Smiths, less so now that morrisey is an absolute bellend.

Awesome album! If you like getting lost in someone else’s thoughts about mediocrity, commonality, love, feeling stuck, etc… then this will be a good listen. I would also add, the backing piano, guitar, etc. remind me off a more decadent version of Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago.

Already listen to this fairly regularly, so knew it would be 5 stars before I played it. Love the lyrics and guitar riffs. "I Started Something I Couldn't Finish" my favourite track.

OK they can have 3 for Girlfriend in a Coma

I'm familiar with The Smiths, although I have not heard this album before. I'm already a fan of their music, so I expected to like this. I actually like this one quite a bit, but I need to get more familiar with it. It's pretty solid! I do enjoy the first half a lot more than the second half, though.

It seems every time I've listened to this album I've listened to the whole thing which matches with how I'm feeling abou these 2 listens. It's a great album, I probably need to spend more time with it. Girlfriend in a Coma is certainly a standout

Amazing album 10* Cover art 5/5

not as good as the other smiths albums but pretty listenable all the way through 3.5

Beautifully depressing and hateful. The music is great, and the lyrics are sung with such talent. It's unfortunate that the writer of these lyrics experienced or felt such things, and I hope they've found peace.

I'm glad they took a different turn on what would be their final album and didn't replicate The Queen is Dead. It doesn't have as many notable songs, but the music and production feels more sophisticated. It feels more grand and luscious, especially the string arrangements. Girlfriend in a Coma is an excellent example of this. Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before is probably their most accessible song on here, but still holds a lot of weight. You do get a couple of others that sound like they could've been from the Queen era, including Unhappy Birthday. But then you get tracks like Death of a Disco Dancer and Last Night I Dreamt... that goes into darker territory that musically hasn't been explored much.

Strangeways, Here We Come by The Smiths (1987) If there’s such a thing as thoughtfully grim pop, this is it. Mostly first person singular narratives and reflections, it’s all sweetness and horror. But it’s not a joke. It helps to know at the outset that “Strangeways” was the name of a notoriously rough high-security prison in Manchester, England. So here we come. Songs include themes of death (“Death at One’s Elbow”), punishment (“I Started Something I Couldn’t Finish”), haunting by the ghost of an executed criminal (A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours), lack of remorse (“Girlfriend in a Coma”), and other sundry dark states of mind and soul that we all know are really out there. That’s why we watch Dateline. The lyrics express the memories, emotions, hopes and hopelessness of protagonists whose psyches are seriously unintegrated, as in ‘I know I was violent, but I still love you, baby’. That sort of thing. Or in “Last Night I Dreamed that Somebody Loved Me”, we are reassured that it was “just another false alarm”, recorded over a background of screaming male voices in a prison riot. Or we have: “I’ve come to to wish you an unhappy birthday, ‘cause you’re evil and you lie, and if you should die, I may feel slightly sad, but I won’t cry . . . Surely you’re happy it should be this way; I said no and then I shot myself.” This one is set to a jaunty shuffle, with only a slightly dark melody and chord structure. Makes me want to press my lips together, furrow my brow, and wonder. And we also get the darkest take I’ve ever heard on the relationship between recording artists and record companies (“Paint a Vulgar Picture”). The music is well enough produced and performed, with several very nice minor key progressions and synthesized strings, and with lyricist/lead singer Morrissey creditably delivering on this strange basket of goods. It’s a good listen. But it will make you eager to get back to whatever else you were doing. 3/5

Ekki besta Smiths-platan, en ágæt samt.

I came late to The Smiths party, and I arrived there because of Argentinean hardcore vocalist Boom Boom Kid, who knowingly was influenced by Morrissey in more than one aspect. But I really never got them. Not their music at least.  I was rather fascinated by their image: Morrissey and Johnny Marr looked like two smartasses, the classic odd couple fed by a special chemistry, some apparent awkward dynamics, an appropriate update of the Jack Kerouac & Neil Cassidy myth adapted for their specific historical context. If anything, I can't help but admiring them for this aura that they projected around themselves. But then from time to time I played this and some of their other records, and I am always surprised to find something that comes up as compelling. Death Of A Disco Dancer with strings and keys, the reggae-like groove in A Rush And A Push And The Land Is Ours and Girlfriend In A Coma (is that a consequence of the double decker bus crash?), the joyful Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before (what with the extremely long titles?), the dramatic Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me. It is a fairly consistent album for being one from a band that at the time was on the brink of collapse.  Some trivia: Strangeways is a Manchester's prison, and the character portrayed in the artwork is Richard Avalos in a shot from the movie East Of Eden. Whatever it all means! 

Pretty great. But, Morrissy's voice can get annoying after a while. I still like it though! Standouts: Girlfriend in a Coma. Unhappy Birthday, Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before. Others: I Started Something I Couldn't Finish. Death of a Disco Dancer, I won't Share You. I've come to wish you an unhappy birthday Cause you're evil And you lie And if you should die I may feel slightly sad (But I won't cry) Brutal... :) Love it. 4/5

Me gustó.

Sounds like Louis would like this album.

Another charming release by The Smiths. It’s not The Queen is Dead, but definitely is a masterpiece.

Not my favorite Smiths record, despite having one of my favorite songs ("Stop Me"). Weirdly, I feel like Johnny Marr's presence is subdued a little here, and the addition of synths has made it sound a little dated. Favorite tracks: "Stop Me If You Think That You've Heard This One Before", "Girlfriend In a Coma"

Love the smiths, never heard this before. Death of a disco dancer is near perfect

Nope.

Fine I guess, but why does this list have so many Smiths/Morrissey records?

A suitable swan song, as well as a great example as to why no album should be over 40 minutes long. Especially from a band fronted by Morrissey. But a solid benefit of a 34 minute run time is affording one time for an immediate re-listen to make sure it was good as the first time. The re-listen confirmed (to me, at least) that Morrissey clearly murdered that girlfriend who was in a coma.

It’s fine. The music is good, but I really can’t stand Morrissey.

What a coincidence. In my previous rating I said that I had other music that I prefer for "sadboy time" and look no further but the king of mope himself: Morrissey. Not my favorite Smiths album but it's still great. Everything Smiths and Morrissey is a 5. One of those personal rules. I don't give a shit what kind of asshole Moz might actually be. His vocals and lyrics with Johnny Marr's guitar playing is always welcome to my ears.

I missed Morrissey first time around. He has an excellent voice.

Pretty good again! Weird to have two Smiths albums in one week

Rating: 10/10