- Audio CD (15 Nov 1993)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Rhino
- ASIN: B00002496V
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 9,374 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Review
It is difficult to describe just how different The Smiths sounded when it was released in early 1984. In an era of overproduced crash, bang and very often, wallop, this album defined northern British pop in a manner not unlike the Beatles had two decades earlier. Vocalist and lyricist Steven Patrick Morrissey cut a very singular swathe with lyrics that quoted freely from kitchen sink dramas, great literary heritage, and, in doing so, gave awkward youth its new (and enduring) hero.
After the group crashed on to the scene with their debut single, “This Charming Man”, in summer 1983, The Smiths was initially recorded with ex-Teardrop Explodes guitarist Troy Tate as producer, before abandoning it and getting ex-Roxy Music producer and bassist, John Porter, in to re-record. The sound – playing to Johnny Marr’s obsession with 60s guitar supported by Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke’s economical rhythm section – created a music, that like its accompanying lyrics, was completely out of step with the times, yet has come to define them as much as any Frankie Goes To Hollywood track.
Morrissey's utter disdain for playing pop's game, combined with the group's control over their artwork and being part of Rough Trade mapped out a new stage of indie music; blending classic, focussed melodies with this witty intensity, tackling taboo subjects such as child abuse (“Reel Around The Fountain”), the Moors Murders (“Suffer Little Children” with its infamous “Manchester, so much to answer for” line) and sexual politics, dressed in pretty, northern music. Although it’s not their greatest work, The Smiths remains an incredible statement of intent. --Daryl Easlea
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Product Description
Cd > Popular Music > RockCD > POPULAR MUSIC > ROCK
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It might lack the impact of later albums, but I would agree with several other reviewers that "The Smiths" is the second-best Smiths album, after "The Queen is Dead". Perhaps its lack of recognition in regard to later albums is partly due to the slightly leaden production, partly the "atypical" nature of some of the songs, but for me "The Smiths" contains some of the band's most beautiful, haunting and memorable work.
The obvious early Smiths classics are all there. "This Charming Man" remains as catchy and whimsical as ever, and is perhaps the greatest early example of a perfect combination between Marr's composition and Morrissey's lyrics. "Hand in Glove", the group's first single, is still one of the most romantic songs ever written - Morrissey's observations on the experience of being in love are remarkably astute. "Still Ill" is a stunning nostalgic tale, and "What Difference Does It Make?", while not quite achieving the impact of the three tracks already mentioned, sits comfortably among the group's best work.
Despite these songs, some of the most beautiful work on the album is found on the slower ballads. The opening track "Reel Around the Fountain" is a wistful yet strangely relaxing tune of contradictions - though at first it sounds like a beautiful love song, closer attention to the lyrics reveals that it is about nothing more than sexual desire. "Pretty Girls Make Graves" is a clever and memorable song about confused sexuality, and "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle" is surely one of the group's most underrated songs. Full of haunting imagery and with a subtly unsettling edge, it deserves recognition as one of The Smiths' greatest ever songs, and features one of Morrissey's best lyrics. "Suffer Little Children" also deserves special mention - there has never been a song about a real event which packs so much punch as Morrissey's incredibly moving song about the Moors Murders.
As for the other songs, "You've Got Everything Now" is an amusing and catchy rant at jealous school-friends, and "I Don't Owe You Anything" is yet another lovely song which deserves more recognition than it gets. The only duffer on the album, for me, is "Miserable Lie" - an interesting experiment, and perhaps it works better played live, but as a studio recording it simply doesn't hold up, and it sticks out like a sore thumb on an album full of so much quality.
Overall, the quality of this album really shines through. Not as punchy as "The Queen is Dead", but just as beautiful, and well worth the purchase.
The obvious early Smiths classics are all there. "This Charming Man" remains as catchy and whimsical as ever, and is perhaps the greatest early example of a perfect combination between Marr's composition and Morrissey's lyrics. "Hand in Glove", the group's first single, is still one of the most romantic songs ever written - Morrissey's observations on the experience of being in love are remarkably astute. "Still Ill" is a stunning nostalgic tale, and "What Difference Does It Make?", while not quite achieving the impact of the three tracks already mentioned, sits comfortably among the group's best work.
Despite these songs, some of the most beautiful work on the album is found on the slower ballads. The opening track "Reel Around the Fountain" is a wistful yet strangely relaxing tune of contradictions - though at first it sounds like a beautiful love song, closer attention to the lyrics reveals that it is about nothing more than sexual desire. "Pretty Girls Make Graves" is a clever and memorable song about confused sexuality, and "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle" is surely one of the group's most underrated songs. Full of haunting imagery and with a subtly unsettling edge, it deserves recognition as one of The Smiths' greatest ever songs, and features one of Morrissey's best lyrics. "Suffer Little Children" also deserves special mention - there has never been a song about a real event which packs so much punch as Morrissey's incredibly moving song about the Moors Murders.
As for the other songs, "You've Got Everything Now" is an amusing and catchy rant at jealous school-friends, and "I Don't Owe You Anything" is yet another lovely song which deserves more recognition than it gets. The only duffer on the album, for me, is "Miserable Lie" - an interesting experiment, and perhaps it works better played live, but as a studio recording it simply doesn't hold up, and it sticks out like a sore thumb on an album full of so much quality.
Overall, the quality of this album really shines through. Not as punchy as "The Queen is Dead", but just as beautiful, and well worth the purchase.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Vinyl
Just a warning this is a remastering of the original version , which did not include' This Charming Man'. It was a single and added to later versions of the album. Still a great album without it .
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Whilst seen as a major disappointment by some music critics, who slammed it's production as "leaden and uninspired", the album has an exciting, raw feel to it which the polished later albums lack. Certainly there are lesser songs present here, but the classics outweigh the fillers. The standouts? 'You've Got Everything Now' is an absolutely marvellous track and 'Reel Around The Fountain' justly classic, whilst 'Still Ill' is an absolute joy to behold- superb lyrics and an excellent vocal by Morrissey. So, ignore those blasted ignorant critics and purchase this record. You really won't regret it- and will be writing a similarly gushing review within days- guaranteed.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
the smiths - debut album CD
for my money this debut album is the weakest of all their o/s albums.
absolutely no bonus cuts on the remastered CD in 2012. Read more
absolutely no bonus cuts on the remastered CD in 2012. Read more
Published 1 month ago by allister m hardwick
The Smiths
Being a Smiths fan of course I'm happy with this purchase. Third time I've bought this CD for various reasons...!
Published 13 months ago by J. Stinson
Not their best but still worth obtaining
Coming out of nowhere with the classic singles This Charming Man and What Difference Does It Make in the winter of 1983, The Smiths were the most critically acclaimed, adored and... Read more
Published on 12 Mar 2010 by Greg Farefield-Rose
The Start Of Something Special
Stunning debut. Be amazed by these talented men (Marr and Morrissey especially). If you're not moved by Morrissey's wonderful lyrics, then you must be a heartless soul.
Published on 18 Nov 2009 by MDD
Music for the lost generation
None of The Smiths had great experience before joining together in this particular little enterprise, Morrissey had briefly been a member of a couple of bands, although not always... Read more
Published on 8 Oct 2009 by Mr. Percy Frizelle
Still far better than the music of the time
Was in the sixth form at school at the time of release-the girls were into Nik Kershaw and Howard Jones etc (yawn). Read more
Published on 7 Jun 2008 by bish
The Smiths most underated album
This album should be bought for "The hand that rocks the cradle" alone, that is one of the best songs of all time. Read more
Published on 9 April 2008 by M. Dommett
A very VERY good album!
Okay... Miserable Lie is bad and Hand is Glove is only acceptable. Apart from these two songs the album is great. Read more
Published on 25 Jan 2008 by Frank-Lee Shankly
the smiths
Great debut, by a great band.
If you look beyond the iffy production of this album, after a few listens you'll come to realise that this is The Smiths second best album (The... Read more
If you look beyond the iffy production of this album, after a few listens you'll come to realise that this is The Smiths second best album (The... Read more
Published on 30 Aug 2004
"It's Time the Tale Were Told."
Back in 1984, when Culture Club, Wham!, and Duran Duran dominated the charts and airwaves, a group of four young Englishmen called the Smiths released their debut on the indie... Read more
Published on 16 Aug 2004 by Burjiz
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