release date: Feb. 20, 1984
format: vinyl (ROUGH 61) / cd
[album rate: 4,5 / 5] [4,45]
producer: John Porter, The Smiths
label: Rough Trade / MNW - nationality: England, UK
Tracklist: A side: 1. "Reel Around the Fountain" (4 / 5) - 2. "You've Got Everything Now" (4,5 / 5) - 3. "Miserable Lie" (4 / 5) - 4. "Pretty Girls Make Graves" (4 / 5) - 5. "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle" (5 / 5) - - B side: 1. "Still Ill" (4 / 5) - 2. "Hand in Glove" (4,5 / 5) - 3. "What Difference Does It Make?" (4,5 / 5) - 4. "I Don't Owe You Anything" (5 / 5) - 5. "Suffer Little Children" (5 / 5)
Studio debut album by The Smiths released on the punk rock related independent label Rough Trade Records. The album was an immediate favourite soon after the release. It sort of divided people, like most significant art does. Many ignored it 'cause it was too far from Springsteen, Huey Lewis & The News, and Tina Turner, or some found it too queer. And then a vast crowd simply saw it as refreshingly new and contrary to mainstream pop / rock. Clearly it was part of the 'indie' revolution at the time. Lots of new bands and unknown artists had found a way around the mastodon record companies who wouldn't sign with an artist who was too independent, and funny enough, that gave way to independent music and a whole new genre that actually wasn't a musical style but a practical and financial one. 'Indie' music was released on very low budgets, and Rough Trade Records, who happened to sign with The Smiths, was a rather well known independent company that grew rapidly. (Stephen Patrick) Morrissey and (Johnny) Marr [Maher] were the two major composers of the band. They got together in Manchester and put in an add seeking a drummer and a bassist for a new band. Mike Joyce (drums) and Andy Rourke (bass) may have played a secondary role as supporting members but they filled that part brilliantly, as their roles were given and they played along with their instrumental skills without asking too many questions. Marr created and directed the music to Morrissey's lyrics, and Marr / Morrissey soon became a signature like Lennon / McCartney was. The cover for the album is a photo of the 1960s / Andy Warhol male sex symbol, actor Joe Dallesandro, reflecting Morrissey's textual universe filled with sex disgust and impossible love.
Highly recommendable.
[ allmusic.com 5 / 5, Blender, Q Magazine, Rolling Stone, Uncut 4 / 5 stars ]
1984 Favourite releases: 1. U2 The Unforgettable Fire - 2. The Smiths The Smiths - 3. The Blue Nile A Walk Across the Rooftops
