100 Best Albums
- 16 JUN 1986
- 10 Songs
- The Queen Is Dead · 1986
- The Sound of The Smiths · 1984
- The Smiths · 1983
- Louder Than Bombs · 1984
- Hatful of Hollow · 1985
- Louder Than Bombs · 1984
- The Queen Is Dead · 1986
- Louder Than Bombs · 1984
- The Queen Is Dead · 1985
- Strangeways, Here We Come · 1987
Essential Albums
- 100 Best Albums From start to finish, The Queen Is Dead is, perhaps, The Smiths' strongest album, and it's certainly their funniest. In particular, the Kinks-like music hall bounce of "Frankly, Mr. Shankly" and the rockabilly-tinged "Vicar in a Tutu" sport hilariously cruel lyrics, while pungent one-liners crop up in nearly every track. Elsewhere, the shimmering "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side" is one of Johnny Marr's most glorious tunes, while "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" features one of Morrissey's most disconsolately romantic lyrics.
- The Smiths would prove themselves as a singles act, releasing an onslaught of infectious tunes that mostly escaped inclusion on their studio albums. The unusually funky (by Smiths standards) and hauntingly tremolo-ed “How Soon is Now?” was appended to the American release of the British quartet’s second album and it’s a welcomed addition, as much of Meat is Murder is ruled by some odd obsessive turns. The title track is a heavy-handed pronouncement for vegetarianism, while the brilliantly sad “That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore” and the futile pleas of “I Want the One I Can’t Have” expose the strengths and weaknesses of Morrissey’s fearless, unrelenting attack against societal norms. He’s a sad, passionate man beautifully backed by a rhythm section that never attempts to move beyond its carefully constructed grooves — all while providing the ideal template for the melodic wanderings of guitarist Johnny Marr and, of course, Morrissey, who uses these backings to deliver witty, conflicted observations and feelings until it’s all Morrissey’s world and we just listen to it.
- Released just months after The Smiths’ debut album, this collection of non-LP B-sides and singles finds Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr brilliantly blending deceptively simple motifs with literate, trenchant lyrics. From the anthemic art-pop of “How Soon Is Now?” to the cockeyed, quasi-R&B of “This Night Has Opened My Eyes”, every song here is hummable and melancholic in equal measure. Unquenchable yearning on “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want”, the ironic narcissism of “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now”—the moods and themes gel effortlessly too.
Albums
- 2014
- 2014
- 2014
- 2014
Artist Playlists
- Surrender to some of the most indelible melodies of the '80s indie scene.
- Self-loathing swathed in sweet, shimmering guitar pop.
- Piece together the musical backbone of the indie-rock greats.
Live Albums
- 1988
Compilations
More To Hear
- One of indie rock’s most important cornerstones.
- Their work, lasting presence, and music that followed.
- Ezra and Jake talk with Johnny Marr, plus a Goldfish taste test.
- The legendary Marr joins Matt for the release of Call The Comet.
- A soundtrack for you featuring The B-52s, The Smiths, and Queen.
- The Smiths' guitarist in a candid chat.
About The Smiths
The Smiths were the definitive British indie rock band of the '80s, marking the end of synth-driven new wave and the beginning of the guitar-based rock that dominated English rock into the '90s. The group's core members, vocalist Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr, were obsessive rock fans inspired by the D.I.Y. ethics of punk, but they also had a fondness for girl groups, pop, and rockabilly. They also represented one of the strangest collaborative teams in rock history: Marr was the rock traditionalist, meticulously layering his guitar tracks in the studio. Morrissey, on the other hand, embraced the forlorn, romantic poetry of Oscar Wilde. While it led to the Smiths' early demise, their friction resulted in a flurry of music that provided the blueprint for British rock in the following decade.
- ORIGIN
- Manchester, England
- FORMED
- 1982
- GENRE
- Alternative