The final and finest Smiths album., 26 April 2002

By	Jason Parkes "We're all Frankies'" (Worcester, UK) - See all my reviews

This was an album released by a dead band, which may have detracted from its progressive qualities...'A Rush & a Push and the Land is Ours' is the opening track- a Smiths song without any guitars? This is a strange waltz informed by dance music, that Marr was absorbing and would move towards with Electronic. Very-self-depreciating lyrics!...A fantastic T-Rex style riff opens the glamtastic 'I Started Something I Couldn't Finish'- the drums are almost danceable; the rhythm section always had more in common with Chic than the Mighty Lemon Drops. Bizarre also, the use of sax and the wonderful fading refrain of "typical me!"...'Death of a Disco Dancer' is a dark-counterpoint to 'Panic' ("Hang the DJ")- but takes up the lyrics of 'How Soon is Now?'- the club, the pub- cold places where people are reduced to doing the slag. Despite being a bit off-target regarding the joys of ecstasy- which did briefly bring people together- this is a spot-on song that captures the joylessness of putting one's self on the meat-rack. Strange piano by Morrissey, that sounds like an autistic-interpretation of Bowie's 'Aladdin Sane'...'Girlfriend in a Coma' was the breezy single initially released from this album- tender acoustic guitars and falling strings contrast with the dark lyrics. Very, Very odd...'Stop Me if You Think You've Heard This One Before' is another self-aware song title, with hilarious lyrics: "That would make a shy bald-Buddhist reflect and plan a mass-murder". Only John Lydon, Kevin Rowland and Mark E Smith have been this spot on in the lyrical sense.

'Last Night I Dreamt that Somebody Loved Me' does seem to be repeating themes of previous songs, 'How Soon is Now?' specifically. It opens with the sound of jeering crowds and minimal-semi-classical piano. Then the song comes in and blows you away- out-doing the likes of 'I Know it's Over' with a sound like 'Scott 3' via 'Never Had No One Ever'...'Unhappy Birthday' is another hilarious song, more upbeat acoustics and the timeless line, echoeing 'These Things Take Time's "alcoholic afternoons" with the great "drink drink drink and be ill tonight!"...'Paint a Vulgar Picture' is an ironic-post-modern pop song that references 'You Just Haven't Earnt it Yet, Baby'. It paints an amusing portrait of a destructing band and should have given the name to all subsequent cash-in Smiths compilations...'Death at One's Elbow' is one of those idiotic Smiths songs like 'Vicar in a Tutu'; Moz proclaiming "it's crap I know...". Pity they didn't choose 'I Keep Mine Hidden' over this track...Finally the ambiguous 'I Won't Share You' inconclusively concludes the final album from The Smiths. It looks back to the likes of 'Back to the Old House' and 'Please Please Please...'; this and the photo of Marr, head in hands, on the sleeve feel like total burnout. Morrissey wondering whether the perrier had gone to his head...

'Strangeways Here We Come' is the finest Smiths album and possibly the best final album from a band since 'Loaded'. It grows stronger with time and beats a "Friday Night in out-patients".

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