- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Reynolds & Hearn Ltd (20 Aug 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1905287968
- ISBN-13: 978-1905287963
- Product Dimensions: 20.1 x 13.3 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 127,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I' ve just finished Simon Goddards book. If you wondered why or if you already knew why The Smiths are the greatest band ever, this is, beside the albums themselves, the best guide to lead you into the sheer brilliance of their immaculate bulk of songcrafting. The way each magnificent song in the Morrissey/Marr songbook is explored, treated, recaptured, and embellished with anecdote, makes you want to put the records on and go back to those days when The Smiths truly saved your life. This wonderful book is an intelligent hommage to a band that is unequelled in plucking the strings, banging the drums and yelping about life. This landmark is an insightful exploration of the wonder that was Smithdom. Absolutely essential.
22 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In this book you have an author, Simon Goddard who obviously loves his subject matter, and is a musician to boot. This gives you an extra insight because of his musical appreciation, for instance, on the 'Lost' track 'A Matter of Opinion' he comments on similar chord structure in other songs, and comments that the chords of 'I Won't Share You' are exactly the same as 'Ask'. The book is written in a non-preachy but in a very deeply factual style. You don't get any of the very annoying suppositions in Johnny Rogan's book, but just straight facts, including loads of details regarding lost tracks, and first drafts of lyrics. Having Mike Joyce on board has made a huge difference, and from the foreward onwards you get the feeling that what you read is to be trusted, which makes a huge difference.
The book lists in chronological order all the Smiths' recorded material from 'I Want A Boy For My Birthday' to 'Bengali In Platforms', and there is a wealth of information on every song... All-in-all, a superb read from a real fan, and very highly recommended.
The book lists in chronological order all the Smiths' recorded material from 'I Want A Boy For My Birthday' to 'Bengali In Platforms', and there is a wealth of information on every song... All-in-all, a superb read from a real fan, and very highly recommended.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Well I wonder, could you take many other artists entire catalogue and write inciteful, stimulating and page turning biographies of each of their songs? Would we be interested in the B side fillers, the sound checks, and learn much that anyone could care about? I've a few fave artists, but even for most of those no thanks. What a bore.
But The Smiths? They are different. Every song, each media expose is worthy of highlight. Because simply they were the most important band of their generation and remain one of the icons of popular music.
Goddard's book is a gem. For Smiths fans it is an absolute must read, but be careful, you'll need to have more than a passing interest to appreciate it and, most importantly, either a large Smiths record collection, or a fat wallet and a good record shop very close by! As you read, you'll be reaching for the vinyl and CD to listen to each track as its origins, its recording and its different takes and sessions are explained. And you just must listen to each track, you'll be compelled!
That said, there's quite few tracks explained here you won't be finding on the albums and compilations, those limited to vinyl, limited edition CD releases and bootlegs, some of which will be hard to find in a hurry. So expect to feel some frustration at not being able to hear everything you read.
If you're a fan with a comprehensive collection (if not why not!?) you'll be back to The Smiths in a whole new light.
Superb.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
There is a Light that Never Goes Out.
Sometime during the mid 1980s my musical perspective changed due entirely to Messrs Morrissey, Marr, Rourke and Joyce.
This book is a must for Smiths enthusiasts everywhere. Read more
This book is a must for Smiths enthusiasts everywhere. Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2004 by A. D. Woolley
Very Good.
This is an enjoyable read tracking the history of every song, but more interestingly acting as a sort of band biography and giveing the story of each track and albumn, which proves... Read more
Published on 9 July 2003
DISAPPOINTING
I was so looking forward to this book, a track-by-track exploration of 1980s indie favourites The Smiths in the style of Ian MacDonald’s excellent study of The Beatles,... Read more
Published on 9 May 2003 by Tony Floyd
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