The Smiths "Sweet and Tender Hooligan" (1995) (single)

Sweet and Tender Hooligan, single
release date: May 23, 1995
format: digital
[single rate: 4 / 5] [3,78]
producer: John Porter
label: Sire Records - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: 1. "Sweet and Tender Hooligan" - 2. "I Keep Mine Hidden" - 3. "Work Is a Four-Letter Word" - 4. "What's the World?" (Live)

Single release by The Smiths issued in May 1995 by Sire to promote the reissue of the compilation album Singles. The track was recorded back in 1986 and may be regarded as an outtake from the 1987 final studio album Strangeways, Here We Come. The single was issued with a sticker claiming it as "Previously unreleased"; however, the title track is found on the compilation album Louder Than Bombs from 1987, and the two following tracks are found on the 12'' single version of "Girlfriend in a Coma" (1987), and the live-recording "What's the World?" was previously released as B-side to "I Started Something I Couldn't Finish" (1987).
The single cover features a still of boxer Cornelius Carr from the music video for Morrissey's single "Boxers", as directed by James O'Brien in 1995.

The Smiths "Singles" (1995)

Singles (compilation)

release date: Feb. 20, 1995
format: digital
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: various
label: WEA / Warner Music Group - nationality: England, UK

Compilation album by The Smiths with 18 tracks. This is a pretty decent attempt to make a best of collection with all The Smiths' A-side singles. It's a very nice thing the way the single tracks are listed in accordance to the date of release of each single. The only thing missing here are the B-sides, as it's commonly known that they very often were on par with the A-sides and not seldom weren't album tracks.
[ allmusic.com 5 / 5 stars ]

The Smiths "Peel Session"(1988) (ep)

CD cover

Peel Session, ep
release date: Oct. 10, 1988
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,78]
producer: Roger Pusey
label: Strange Fruit - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: 1. "What Difference Does it Make?" - 2. "Miserable Lie" - 3. "Reel Around the Fountain" - 4. "Handsome Devil"

A 4-track ep recorded for the John Peel BBC Radio 1 radio show. The tracks (excluding "Miserable Lie") are previously released and included on Hatful of Hollow (1984). This album wasn't released until the band was history and the tracks are all from the initial period, as the tracks were recorded on May 18, 1983 at a time when The Smiths was a rather unknown band.

<  original cover >

org. vinyl cover

The Smiths "Rank" (1988) (live)

Rank (live)
release date: Oct. 5, 1988
format: vinyl (gatefold - ROUGH 126) / cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,82]
producer: Pete Dauncey, Grant Showbiz
label: Rough Trade Records - nationality: England, UK

[ playlist ]

Live album by The Smiths. Although the album has status of an official album release, it is after all 'just' a live album released after The Smiths was no more and one could claim that the band's material 'only' served as money factory for the record company. Still it's really nice to have a live album with the band. In that way it's a fine release with basically one long take recorded at the National Ballroom, Kilburn, on Oct. 23rd 1986, only leaving a few tracks out from the actual concert. Most other live albums are put together with the best performances of specific songs on different occasions rather than from just one and the same concert. The date of the concert is some months after releasing The Queen Is Dead and at a point where they were still holding together, although problems with the record company were subjects of conflict. Despite the fact that the album wasn't released until after the band had split, Morrissey and the others were (contractually) obliged to take part in the release, and he was therefore as usual the man with the idea for the album cover. The British actress, and sex symbol of the 60s, Alexandra Bastedo is depicted in a photograph by John D. Green. Rumor has it that Morrissey suggested that the album be titled "The Smiths in Heat" but that was rejected by the record company, and then he came up with the title Rank - 'J. Arthur Rank' is Cockney rhyming slang for 'wank'... Didn't they know, or maybe they thought it too cryptical? And then Stephen Patrick Morrissey got the last word. I always had trouble with the title, unable to figure out in what way it had to do with 'a ranking', or some kind of 'order'... The up yours! explanation really put that to rest.
Highly recommendable.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5, Rolling Stone 3 / 5, Uncut 4 / 5 stars ]

[ collectors' item - from ~ €35,- ]

The Smiths "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me" (1987) (single)

Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me, 12'' single
release date: Dec. 7, 1987
format: vinyl (CBS Pressing - RTT 200)
[single rate: 4 / 5] [3,84]
producer: Johnny Marr, Morrissey, Stephen Street
label: Rough Trade Records - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) 1. "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me" (4,5 / 5) - - B) 1. "Rusholme Ruffians" - 2. "Nowhere Fast"

Single track from the 1987 album. Usually, Smiths' single releases were interesting 'cause they usually came with songs that weren't included on the normal studio releases, however, aside from the A-side (which was included on the most recent album), the B-side consists of 2 great tracks, but music taken from the band's '85 album, thus making it less interesting.

[ collectors' item - from ~ €37,- ]

BEST OF 1987:The Smiths "Strangeways, Here We Come" (1987)

Strangeways, Here We Come
release date: Sep. 22, 1987
format: vinyl (ROUGH 106) / cd / cd (2011 remaster)
[album rate: 4,5 / 5] [4,45]
producer: Johnny Marr, Morrissey, Stephen Street
label: Rough Trade Records - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) 1. "A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours" (4,5 / 5) - 2. "I Started Something I Couldn't Finish" (4 / 5) - 3. "Death of a Disco Dancer" (4 / 5) - 4. "Girlfriend in a Coma" (5 / 5) - 5. "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" (4,5 / 5) - - B) 1. "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me" (5 / 5) - 2. "Unhappy Birthday" (4,5 / 5) - 3. "Paint a Vulgar Picture" (4,5 / 5) - 4. "Death at One's Elbow" (3,5 / 5) - 5. "I Won't Share You" (5 / 5)

4th and final studio album by The Smiths now with producer Stephen Street, and as with previous albums, once again, the musical universe has changed compared to the predecessor. Apparently, the recording time of the album was delayed and extended due to personal / private disagreements between the two leaders, Morrissey and Marr. In fact, the album was recorded in the spring of '87 - Johnny Marr left the Smiths in July, and the album was released another two months later when attempts to continue the band with a new guitarist had been exhausted, and therefore the album was released post-posthumously at a time when it had become evident that the band would not continue.
The music is not as polished and coherent as the previous album but it still seems rather homogeneous in a way. The jangle pop element is more subdued on behalf of a more orchestrated sound with piano, strings and synthesized sounds, making it a more complex whole. However, on the lyrical side, Morrissey makes sure it's The Smiths at their best with strong lyrics on the same issues as on "The Queen Is Dead" but with even more criticism revealing a strong dissatisfaction with their record company, most explicitly in "Paint a Vulgar Picture". Once again, after a short while the new Smiths album was my favourite The Smiths' record. It sort of contains all the characteristic elements of their vast repertoire. "A Rush and a Push and the Land is Ours" is a continued style of Meat is Murder (title track) "Girlfriend in a Coma" is like their best single hits with focus on jangle pop as "The Boy With the Thorn...". "Paint a Vulgar Picture" is a more sarcastic version of "Frankly, Mr. Shankly" from The Queen..., whereas "Unhappy Birthday" and "I Won't Share You" resembles the tone and melancholic style they have carried with them on all of their albums - there's always a 'tear-your-heart-out song' of impossible love for the heartbroken on any of their releases.
The album cover is as always Morrissey's mission and this time it features an image of actor Richard Davalos from the movie "East of Eden" (1955), apparently from a scene starring James Dean who was a beloved icon of Morrissey's.
No new material was released after this but the great live album Rank followed in 1988, the same year Morrissey released his first solo album Viva Hate.
Strangeways, Here We Come is quite naturally enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".
I have a 1987 cd version as well as the 2011 remaster issued by WEA.
Highly recommendable.
[ allmusic.com, Blender, Q Magazine 4 / 5 stars ]

1987 Favourite releases: 1. The Smiths Strangeways, Here We Come - 2. U2 The Joshua Tree - 3. Hüsker Dü Warehouse: Songs and Stories

The Smiths "Girlfriend in a Coma" (1987) (single)

Girlfriend in a Coma, 12'' single

release date: Aug. 14, 1987
format: vinyl (RTT 197)
[single rate: 4 / 5] [3,78]
producer: Morrissey, Johnny Marr, Stephen Street
label: Rough Trade Records - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) 1. "Girlfriend in a Coma" - - B) 1. "Work Is a Four-Letter Word" - 2. "I Keep Mine Hidden"

Single release by The Smiths with the title track from the forthcoming album Strangeways, Here We Come (1987).

[ collectors' item ]

The Smiths "Louder Than Bombs" (1987)

Louder Than Bombs (compilation) (US)
release date: Mar. 30, 1987
format: cassette / 2 lp vinyl (2011 reissue) / cd (2011 remaster)
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: various
label: Sire / Rhino - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 3. "Shoplifters of the World Unite" (A-side single) - 5. "Half a Person" (B-side single of #3) - 6. "London" (B-side single of #3) - 7. "Panic" (A-side single) - 13. "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby" (US mix) - 13. "Ask" (A-side single) - 14. "Golden Lights" (B-side single of #13) - 20. "Stretch Out and Wait" (B-side single) - 23. "Unloveable" (B-side single)

3rd compilation album by The Smiths originally released on Sire Records in the US. The album was initially only meant to be an extended release for the American market, which hadn't been introduced to Hatful of Hollows (1984), but the record company soon decided to release it in Europe as well, and thankfully so, or they could have done without the shorter The World Won't Listen, as I think this is the best of the two. You don't really need both, and forced to pick between the two, I would choose this as it contains 24 tracks and was released as a double-album on vinyl. I originally only had an original cassette version purchased in the US and a cd containing all tracks on 1 disc. Compared to The World Won't Listen, and aside the 10 common tracks and 1 track with different vocals, Louder... contains 13 tracks that you don't get with The World..., so... it's a narrow and hard choice, and the best thing would simply be to make a new compilation with all, which would make it a 30 track album, which would suffice only together with the studio albums of course.
I bought both compilation albums when they were released; however, I only bought this one on tape and much later on cd and vinyl as well. Anyway, if you don't consider buying all their albums, I would pick this one as an introduction to their repertoire and then maybe get The Sound of The Smiths (2003) which both has some essential singles as well as a fine handpicked collection of tracks from their studio albums, a total of 23 tracks, and many you don't find on Louder.... All of which only suggests that you cannot do with a one-disc album if you want to embrace their huge musical legacy. Yes, there are probably a dozen of compilation albums to choose from, but I wouldn't buy one as I have most of their original material. However, if you are looking for just one album that sort of collects not everything but most of the "picture", I would buy Louder Than Bombs. Best... I (1992) and ...Best II (1992), Singles (1995), The Very Best of The Smiths (2001), The Sound of The Smiths (2008), Singles Box (2008) all seems insufficient because they either focus on their singles, which gives a wrong picture of their music or just selects from all material, which may be good but also very incomplete, then of course you could buy Complete (2011), a box-set that contains 8 discs with all 4 studio albums, the live album Rank, the first official compilation Hatful..., and both the two 1987 compilation albums as mentioned here - and that would be... just to be safe.
Highly recommendable.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5 stars ]

~ ~ ~

" : I wear black on the outside

'cause black is how I feel on the inside :

: And if I seem a little strange

Well, that's because I am :

But I know that you would've liked me

if only you could see me

if only you could meet me

I don't have much in my live

but take it, it's yours"

[ "Unloveable" ]

The Smiths "The World Won't Listen" (1987)

The World Won't Listen (compilation)
release date: Feb. 23, 1987
format: vinyl (ROUGH 101) / cd
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: various
label: Rough Trade Records - nationality: England, UK

2nd compilation alum by The Smiths. The album was the next "real" compilation after Hatful of Hollows (1984). It's a compilation of A and B-sides of 1985-86 single releases and it includes just one track from Meat Is Murder and 3 from The Queen Is Dead, which makes it a good buy if you don't have any of their singles as it contains a total of 17 tracks. Of course best of compilation albums have been released almost in a flood later on, and it's difficult to pin out one as the best if you don't have anything by the band and are only interested in a comprising good one. Anyway, I wouldn't go for this one, as Louder Than Bombs is almost identical but has more tracks on it. That said, it's still a pretty good compilation. Compared with Louder Than Bombs they have 10 tracks in common. This release contains the track "Stretch Out and Wait" with a alternate vocal take, whereas the original take is on Louder.... Also, this contains four single hit tracks and two from The Queen Is Dead that do not figure on Louder..., so.. they are very much alike but also has unique tracks on them.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5 stars ]

The Smiths "Ask" (1986) (single)

Ask, 12'' single
release date: Oct. 20, 1986
format: vinyl (RTT 194)
[single rate: 4 / 5] [4,00]
producer: John Porter, Steve Lillywhite
label: Rough Trade Records - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) 1. "Ask" (4 / 5) - - B) 1. "Cemetry Gates" (4 / 5) - 2. "Golden Lights" (4 / 5)

Single release by The Smiths, and yet another fine single This time it's not just an album track, although, the first track on the B-side is from The Queen Is Dead (1986). The title track only appears on later compilations (the first is The World Won't Listen, 1987), and "Golden Lights" may be found on the compilation Louder Than Bombs (1987).

BEST OF 1986:The Smiths "The Queen Is Dead" (1986)

The Queen Is Dead

release date: Jun. 16, 1986
format: vinyl (gatefold - ROUGH 96) / cd
[album rate: 5 / 5] [4,85]
producer: Morrissey, Marr
label: Rough Trade Records - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) 1. "The Queen Is Dead / Take Me Back to Dear Old Blighty (Medley)" (5 / 5) - 2. "Frankly, Mr. Shankly" (5 / 5) - 3. "I Know It's Over" (5 / 5) - 4. "Never Had No One Ever" (5 / 5) - 5. "Cemetry Gates" (5 / 5) - - B) 1. "Bigmouth Strikes Again" (4,5 / 5) - 2. "The Boy With the Thorn in His Side" (5 / 5) - 3. "Vicar in a Tutu" (4 / 5) - 4. "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" (5 / 5) - 5. "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others" (5 / 5)

3rd studio album by The Smiths produced by the songwriter duo Stephen Morrissey / Johnny Marr. The album is another step into new territories. The music is sharper and more punk rock-inspired with faster, shorter, and more energetic tracks. The lyrics are both a continuing of the introvert texts on sex and moral, political issues, but also a new sarcastic sneer at personal critics and the music industry in general. The album cover features Alain Delon in a 1964 film "L'Insoumis" ("The Unvanquished") by Alain Cavalier. Not long after the purchase, I soon realised that this album was now my favourite Smiths album, and I simply loved and heard "Cemetry Gates", "The Boy With the Thorn in His Side", "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out", and "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others" over and over again. The album is great and is by many considered not only the band's best but also one of the best albums ever to be recorded. I still can't single one out as the best - they all have their strengths. The album was ranked the greatest record of all time on NME's The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list, and it's naturally enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".
Highly recommendable.
[ allmusic.com, Rolling Stone, Q Magazine, Sputnik Music, Select 5 / 5 stars ]

[ collectors' item 'near mint' - from ~ 50€ ]

1986 Favourite releases: 1. The Smiths The Queen Is Dead - 2. Talk Talk The Colour of Spring - 3. R.E.M. Lifes Rich Pageant

The Smiths "The Boy With the Thorn in His Side" (1985) (single)

The Boy With the Thorn in His Side, 12'' single
release date: Sep. 16, 1985
format: vinyl (RTT 191)
[single rate: 4 / 5] [4,17]
producer: John Porter, The Smiths
label: Rough Trade Records - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) 1. "The Boy With the Thorn in His Side" (5 / 5) - - B) 1. "Rubber Ring" (3,5 / 5) - 2. "Asleep" (4 / 5)

A 12'' single taken from the forthcoming '86 album.
The title track is a marvelous song and the B side is pretty decent. The front cover features a Young jumping Truman Capote in a (tinted) 1949 photo by Cecil Beaton.

[ collectors' item ]

original photo by Cecil Beaton

The Smiths "Shakespeare's Sister" (1985) (single)

Shakespeare's Sister, 12'' single
release date: Mar. 18, 1985
format: vinyl (RTT 181 - VG2035-Z) / digital
[single rate: 4 / 5] [4,08]
producer: The Smiths
label: Virgin Records - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) 1. "Shakespeare's Sister" (4 / 5) - - B) 1. "What She Said" (3,5 / 5) - 2. "Stretch Out and Wait" (5 / 5)

Single release by The Smiths originally released by Rough Trade. The A-side track is not included on any of the studio albums but may be found on the two 1987 compilation albums The World Won't Listen and Louder Than Bombs, which also goes for the last track "Stretch Out and Wait", which I always thought of as this single's best. B-1 is from the new album Meat Is Murder.
My copy of the single is printed and purchased in Greece, and the Rough Trade signature RTT 181 is only scratched into the vinyl, whereas it has the Virgin number VG2035-Z printed on the back cover.

The Smiths "Meat Is Murder" (1985)

Meat Is Murder

release date: Feb. 11, 1985
format: vinyl (ROUGH 81) / cd
[album rate: 4,5 / 5] [4,44]
producer: The Smiths
label: Rough Trade / MNW - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) 1. "The Headmaster Ritual" (4 / 5) - 2. "Rusholme Ruffians" (5 / 5) - 3. "I Want the One I Can't Have" (5 / 5) (live 1985 - live 2011) - 4. "What She Said" (3,5 / 5) - 5. "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" (4,5 / 5) - - B) 1. "Nowhere Fast" (4,5 / 5) - 2. "Well I Wonder" (4,5 / 5) - 3. "Barbarism Begins at Home" (4 / 5) - 4. "Meat Is Murder" (5 / 5)

2nd studio album by The Smiths was anticipated with huge expectations from fans and the British Press. After the debut, and in the same year, the record company had released the compilation album Hatful of Hollow with previously unreleased material and singles omitted from the debut, so naturally, a real studio album was awaited. Morrissey and Marr were apparently unsatisfied by the sound on the debut album, and they have here put themselves in the production seats assisted by engineer Stephen Street. The Smiths had managed to fill out a space as new British invasion icons with their self-consciousness, lyrical links to Oscar Wilde and a great and highly praised ancient Britain, and daring texts on moral issues including abuse and sex debate. This album exposed further critical aspects from Morrissey: vegetarianism, most explicitly in the title track of course, as well as sharp political criticism. Also, the music is more experimental featuring rockabilly and funk elements, and the production side is much more spacious and elegant. Morrissey always had his say on the album covers - he decided and chose design and photographs. For this album sleeve he picked a 1967 photo, depicting a soldier apparently in the Vietnam War, with a new edited wording on his helmet "Meat Is Murder" instead of the original text: "Make War Not Love". The original footage is featured in Emile de Antonio's '68 documentary "In the Year of the Pig". It took me a little time getting used to the new sound of the band but within few weeks this was my then favourite Smiths album with the tracks "Meat Is Murder" and "I Want the One I Can't Have" as the album's best. The album is enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".
Highly recommendable.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5, Q Magazine, Uncut, Select 4 / 5, Sounds 4,5 / 5 stars ]

1985 Favourite releases: 1. Ry Cooder Paris, Texas - 2. The Smiths Meat Is Murder - 3. The Pogues Rum, Sodomy and the Lash

The Smiths "Hatful of Hollow" (1984)

Hatful of Hollow (compilation)
release date: Nov. 12, 1984
format: vinyl (ROUGH 76) / cd
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: John Porter, The Smiths, Roger Pusey, Dale 'Buffin' Griffin
label: Rough Trade Records - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) 1. "William, It Was Really Nothing" (5 / 5) - 2. "What Difference Does It Make?" (4,5 / 5) - 3. "These Things Take Time" - 4. "This Charming Man" (5 / 5) - 5. "How Soon Is Now?" (4 / 5) - 6. "Handsome Devil" - 7. "Hand in Glove" (4 / 5) - 8. "Still Ill" (4 / 5)
B) 1. "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" (5 / 5) - 2. "This Night Has Opened My Eyes" (4 / 5) - 3. "You've Got Everything Now" (4 / 5) - 4. "Accept Yourself" - 5. "Girl Afraid" (4 / 5) - 6. "Back to the Old House" (4 / 5) - 7. "Reel Around the Fountain" (4 / 5) - 8. "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want" (5 / 5)

Compilation album by The Smiths, and a sort of a strange release. It's the band's second album out but instead of a new studio release they send out a compilation album... I mean, how many bands release that after just one studio album? [I think The Beatles did, actually]. Anyway, this album was issued only 9 months after the debut and only 3 months before sending out a second studio album with brand new material. Hatful of Hollow contains the band's singles with B-sides and alternate recordings from John Peel sessions on BBC 1, but it's partly a clever record company decision, as the band had faced great success with their singles following the album debut. Another aspect is that Morrissey and Marr didn't fully appreciate the production sound by John porter on the debut, and they wanted the songs recorded in better versions.
The singles "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" / "Suffer Little Children", and "William, It Was Really Nothing" / "How Soon Is Now?" both fared rather well and had only one song on the debut album. So, in that way this album is not 'just' an ordinary compilation of tracks you already know of.
Highly recommendable.
[ allmusic.com, Uncut, Select 5 / 5, Rolling Stone, Q Magazine 3 / 5 stars ]

Sandie Shaw "Hand in Glove" (1984), single

Hand in Glove, 12'' single
release date: Apr. 9, 1984
format: vinyl (RTT 130) / digital
[single rate: 4 / 5] [3,76]
producer: John Porter
label: Rough Trade - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) 1. "Hand in Glove" (3,5 / 5 ) - - B) 1. "I Don't Owe You Anything" (4 / 5) - 2. "Jeane" (4 / 5)

Single release by Sandie Shaw; although, it's also a single by The Smiths featuring Sandie Shaw. All three songs are written and composed by Morrissey and Marr, and Shaw contributes with her voice. Morrissey isn't credited on the album as musician, although, it's apparent that he adds additional and / or background vocals on the song "Jeane". All songs have been rearranged with new instrumental parts for the occasion. The producer is John Porter - like he is on the debut album by The Smiths, and the label is Rough Trade, which is the one The Smiths are contractually bound to, and then also the cover is made completely in the tradition by The Smiths with Morrissey finding a classic b/w photo of a former actor / actress. In this case it's a retro film shot of British actress Rita Tushingham.
The single peaked at #27 on the UK single charts, which played a major part to boost Shaw's comeback.

The Smiths "The Smiths" (1984)

The Smiths [debut]
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

The Smiths "This Charming Man" (1983) (single)

This Charming Man, 12'' single

release date: Oct. 31, 1983
format: vinyl (RTD 010T) / digital
[single rate: 4 / 5] [4,18]
producer: John Porter, Geoff Travis
label: Rough Trade Records - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) 1. "This Charming Man (Manchester)" (5 / 5) - 2. "This Charming Man (London)" (4 / 5) -- B) 1. "Accept Yourself" (3,5 / 5) - 2. "Wonderful Woman" (4 / 5)

One of the first singles released by The Smiths on Rough Trade Records and produced by John Porter. This was my first acquisition of any release by The Smiths. It's a beloved 12" single that I played over and over again until they finally released their debut album.
The single comes in various issues. A 7-inch was released Oct. 28 as a European release containing the title track and "Jeane" as B-side. A French 12-inch contains a US Remix of the title track as #B2 instead of #A2, and a Dutch issue contains the title track in two different versions: 'New York' mix of the single and an instrumental version.
The track "Jeane" on the initial 7-inch was included on the Sandie Shaw 12-inch single of "Hand in Glove" on which she performs with The Smiths (apparently, the track is identical to the one issued on the '83 single).

[ collectors' item - 'near mint' 1st German pressing - from €35,- ]

The Smiths "Hand in Glove" (1983) (single)

Hand in Glove, single
release date: May 13, 1983
format: cd single (2009 remaster)
[single rate: 4 / 5] [4,14]
producer: The Smiths
label: Rhino Records - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: 1. "Hand in Glove" - 2. "Handsome Devil" (Live)

Single debut by The Smiths originally released by Rough Trade. The second track is recorded live in Manchester at The Hacienda, 4/2/83. The title track is included on the 1984 debut album, although, in a slightly different version. The single version is also part of the '84 compilation Hatful of Hollow.
The single peaked at number #3 on the UK Indie Chart list but did not make the top 75 of the regular UK Singles Charts, settling outside at number #124. A remixed version of the song was featured on the band's debut album The Smiths. That same year, a cover version recorded by singer Sandie Shaw featuring Smiths members Marr, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce as backing musicians reached number #27 on the UK Singles Chart.

The Smiths

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The Smiths: formed 1982 in Manchester, UK; disbanded Sep. 1987. Band members: Morrissey (aka Steven Patrick Morrissey, vocals, piano), Johnny Marr (aka John Martin Maher, guitar, keyboards, mandolin, bass, harmonica), Mike Joyce (drums, backing vocals), Andy Rourke (bass, cello). Other band members: Dale Hibbert (played bass in 1982 for a short period before Andy Rourke had contact with the band), Craig Gannon (played bass and rhythm guitar on live tours in 1986/87). After the disbandment in 1987, Morrissey initiated his solo career by releasing his critically acclaimed solo debut Viva Hate (1988). Johnny Marr started a collaboration work, the project Electronic (1988-1999) with Bernard Sumner of New Order, and Marr became a member of The The (1988-94), guitarist of Modest Mouse (2006-09), and The Cribs (2008-11). Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke became part of Sinéad O'Connors backing band for some time (Rourke played on her album I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got, 1990). Rourke also played bass on Morrissey's first solo tracks. Joyce joined the British britpop, glam rock band Suede for a short time in 1991. Both Rourke and Joyce became studio session musicians working with established and up-coming artists.
[ wikipedia has extensive info on the band ]

My own The Smiths collection of mostly vinyl records (1983-1988)

How should I pick only one of their albums? I can't. They only made 4 original studio albums but managed to influence the musical universe like only very few artists. What is so remarkable about these few albums is how strong they appear, individually. The debut The Smiths (Feb. 1984) had been anticipated due to a couple of singles "Hand in Glove" (May 1983) and especially the brilliant "This Charming Man" (Oct. 1983). I remember buying this the day it arrived in my local town that fall. I didn't know of the band before, 'cause no one had paid them any attention - this was their first ever single hit! This was in the days when New Order and Joy Division (also Manchester bands) were my darlings alongside OMD, The Cure, Dead Kennedys and Elvis Costello. I came in looking for something interesting and the shop owner opened this package from London and just handed me this 12" record cover, which immediately caught my attention. He said, they're said to be the next big thing in England. He put it on the turntable and I was amazed. We agreed that this was really something else... and definitely appealing. Of course, I bought a copy and couldn't wait 'till they released an album. So, yes, I knew the band from the start and I kept buying most of their releases as soon as they landed.

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