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Product Description
Review
After their flawed but retrospectively admired debut album and the frankly adored stop-gap round-up of radio sessions and B-sides A Hatful Of Hollow, the Smiths' second album, Meat Is Murder, is often unloved in their canon for its occasionally overwrought and arguably contrived nature. It marked the third long-player from the group in the space of the year, such was their creative thrust at the point when they were seen as the most important British band since Joy Division.
Although the following year's The Queen Is Dead will forever be their ultimate statement, the best parts of Meat Is Murder are the best parts of the Smiths themselves with Johnny Marr vigorously playing with his stylistic toolbox. One of the greatest accusations levelled at the Smiths in the day was that everything sounded similar. Hearing Marr's magpie-ism today that couldn't be further from the truth; here we have glam ("What She Said") Elvis ("Rusholme Ruffians") and his beloved Chic ("Barbarism Begins At Home").
To compliment this, Morrissey tosses off some of his spryest lines ('I'd like to drop my trousers to the world . . . I'm a man of means, of slender means' is one of his best). OK, it's not all fab – the title track, which did much for vegetarianism in the 80s is still as maudlin as ever; and no matter how great the rhythm section are, the extended workout on "Barbarism Begins At Home" is frankly dull.
Whichever way you assess it, however, there was no other British group making music quite like this in 1985. --Daryl Easlea
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Personally I believe this is the most deeply affecting work to come from the magnificent oeuvre of this genre-defining band. While ‘Strangeways’ and ‘The Queen is Dead’ may have received the critical plaudits, this is The Smiths at their viscerally heart-rending best. Morrissey’s words are an intimate manifestation of a tortured soul, an intensely ‘shy’ and private man baring all- not many lyricists could sing with the conviction that Moz does on tracks such as ‘Headmaster Ritual’ or ‘That joke isn’t funny any more.’
Themes such as love, teenage-angst and death are all touched on here; hardly original but approached in such a delicate and insightful way that they are impossible not to relate to. Layered over Johnny Marrs flawless musicianship (who wouldn’t recognize the timeless melodies found in ‘How soon is Now?) ‘Meat is murder’ is certainly difficult to fault.
What is also important to remember is the context of this album- The Smiths were unique. With the benefit of retrospect and knowledge of more recent acts the music here is nothing astonishingly innovative, but at the time Morrissey, Marr and co were genuinely exceptional- at the vanguard, with a few other select bands such as Joy Division, of a genre we now all take for granted as ‘Indie.’ ‘Meat is Murder’ was literally paving the way for bands such as ‘the Stone Roses’ and their ilk.
This is an album that may not immediately obvious to the casual music enthusiast, but with perseverance ‘Meat is Murder’ is both evocative and engaging- it is a truly rewarding listen, from a truly great band.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It's the album that got me immediately hooked on The Smiths. Obvious highlights include 'That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore' and my favourite Smiths tack of all time (as well as the most underrated) 'Well I Wonder'. Even though critics rate 'Meat Is Murder' highly I still believe it's undeniably underrated and easily as good as 'The Queen Is Dead'. If you're considering buying your first Smiths album I'd suggest buying this one - if you do, I guarantee you'll have the complete discography within a few weeks.
22 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Before I heard this album, I didnt really feel that music was worth the hassle. I didn't feel that there was any particular meaning to songs, other than keeping you entertained, and any particular in depth analysis would only result in a pretentious babble not really making any particular sense.
But, when I heard the first few seconds of "The Headmaster Ritual" I was hooked. Meat Is Murder, is for me, THE perfect album. Every song is a gem, and although some are greater than others, I wouldnt purposely skip a song to get to another, because all hold a particular place in my heart. No other album does that for me, not even "The Queen Is Dead" which most people would say is the best Smiths album, but for me is a close second.
For me, however, my two favourite songs of all time are here on this album. Starting with "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" which is just so haunting and beautiful, with Morrisey's wonderful melodic voice citing "Kick Them When They Fall Down" or the increasingly powerful and intense vocal climax, coupled with Marr's simply unbeatable rhythm. Everytime I hear the song I smile, not out of some saddistic pleasure I get from hearing the obviously sad and solemn lyrics but out of knowing that music really cant get much better.
Secondly, what I feel is their most under-rated song in "Well I Wonder". Again, the two collaberators have come up with a song that not only is moving, but deeply thought provoking and well worth the listen. I really do not know how this song has not been more readily welcomed by music fans, or indeed Smith's fans, as I value it one of their best, if not right at the top.
These two songs alone made me love music. I buy music as often as I can in an attempt to get a new experience equal to the one this album brought to me 6 months ago when I first heard it. The Smiths remain my favourite band of all time, and will probably remain so till the day I die. My only reason for writing this is to inspire other people to buy this album, as it truley is a masterpiece. And if you dont like it, oh well, at least you took a chance, and that's all that matters.
Finally, I'd like to apologise for my English. Although I'd like to think that my spelling is good, it really isn't sometimes, and really should be better (being 18 and sitting an A Level in English at the end of the May). I can only hope that my enthusiasm has shined through. Also, I apologise for people who like to read user comments on the whole album song list, searching to see what other people think of their most treasured song. But needless to say, if I did that I would only sound repetitive giving each song 5/5 and writing the same comments on each. I picked those two songs out purely because those are the ones I value above the others, but the album wouldnt be the same if any one of those songs were taken out.
But, when I heard the first few seconds of "The Headmaster Ritual" I was hooked. Meat Is Murder, is for me, THE perfect album. Every song is a gem, and although some are greater than others, I wouldnt purposely skip a song to get to another, because all hold a particular place in my heart. No other album does that for me, not even "The Queen Is Dead" which most people would say is the best Smiths album, but for me is a close second.
For me, however, my two favourite songs of all time are here on this album. Starting with "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" which is just so haunting and beautiful, with Morrisey's wonderful melodic voice citing "Kick Them When They Fall Down" or the increasingly powerful and intense vocal climax, coupled with Marr's simply unbeatable rhythm. Everytime I hear the song I smile, not out of some saddistic pleasure I get from hearing the obviously sad and solemn lyrics but out of knowing that music really cant get much better.
Secondly, what I feel is their most under-rated song in "Well I Wonder". Again, the two collaberators have come up with a song that not only is moving, but deeply thought provoking and well worth the listen. I really do not know how this song has not been more readily welcomed by music fans, or indeed Smith's fans, as I value it one of their best, if not right at the top.
These two songs alone made me love music. I buy music as often as I can in an attempt to get a new experience equal to the one this album brought to me 6 months ago when I first heard it. The Smiths remain my favourite band of all time, and will probably remain so till the day I die. My only reason for writing this is to inspire other people to buy this album, as it truley is a masterpiece. And if you dont like it, oh well, at least you took a chance, and that's all that matters.
Finally, I'd like to apologise for my English. Although I'd like to think that my spelling is good, it really isn't sometimes, and really should be better (being 18 and sitting an A Level in English at the end of the May). I can only hope that my enthusiasm has shined through. Also, I apologise for people who like to read user comments on the whole album song list, searching to see what other people think of their most treasured song. But needless to say, if I did that I would only sound repetitive giving each song 5/5 and writing the same comments on each. I picked those two songs out purely because those are the ones I value above the others, but the album wouldnt be the same if any one of those songs were taken out.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great music, shoddy packaging
Unlike the Complete Smiths box, which reinstated the original vinyl sleeves for Hatful of Hollow and Meat is Murder, this release is virtually identical to the 1993 CD... Read more
Published 1 month ago by JMC
the smiths - meat is murder remastered CD
this CD album is the remastered (2012) version of the 1985 album of original studio tracks.
pity no bonus tracks as M+M didn't want that sort of reissue. Read more
pity no bonus tracks as M+M didn't want that sort of reissue. Read more
Published 1 month ago by allister m hardwick
Your hip cd collection guide. Pt.4
This album is ideal for those who want a good record collection that they will never listen to.
If you want to be hip and be admired these are the albums you should have... Read more
If you want to be hip and be admired these are the albums you should have... Read more
Published 19 months ago by I. P. J. Brayshaw
The Smiths are amazing, and this is their best album!
Rating: 10/10
Best tracks: `That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore', `The Headmaster Ritual', `Well I Wonder', `Barbarism Begins at Home', `Nowhere Fast'
The Smiths'... Read more
Best tracks: `That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore', `The Headmaster Ritual', `Well I Wonder', `Barbarism Begins at Home', `Nowhere Fast'
The Smiths'... Read more
Published 20 months ago by New Gold Dreamer
Another great album from The Smiths
I said great but I mean great in a depressing guitar jangly well written way which is what you expect from The Smiths. Read more
Published on 16 May 2010 by Stephen
This made me appreciate indie
I heard this five or six years ago when I was in college and I was very much under the impression that Indie music was all just "Yea yea yea I love you, aww mate I'm glad you let... Read more
Published on 16 April 2010 by Dominic Goulding
A very Confusing album
After their brilliant debut album and the frankly adored stop-gap round-up of radio sessions and B-sides A Hatful Of Hollow with non-stop touring the Smiths' second album, Meat Is... Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2010 by P. Frizelle
The Smiths - Meat is Murder
Decent Album. Think I'll like it more as I get more used to the Smyths music style. Couple of belters on it.
Published on 4 Aug 2009 by Paul Fitzmaurice
As good as it gets!
In a (relatively) recent article, Uncut Magazine assessed the best albums that Johnny Marr has been involved in. Read more
Published on 1 Jun 2008 by Saint Jude
But Fishing is Justifiable Genocide
The Smiths releasing `Meat is Murder' was considered so significant that myself and a friend, Haggis, felt obliged to bunk off school to get hold of it the Monday morning it was... Read more
Published on 23 Feb 2008 by Ian Wood, Author of 'Here's 2 Absent Fathers'
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