The Smiths Albums Ranked
The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982. Consisting of vocalist Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke, and drummer Mike Joyce, critics consider the band one of the most important to emerge from the British independent music scene of the 1980s. Internal tensions led to their break up in 1987 and subsequent offers to reunite have been refused. In 2012, all four Smiths’ studio albums (and a compilation) appeared on Rolling Stone’s list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”, while “William, It Was Really Nothing” and “How Soon Is Now?” were included in the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list.
The Smiths were signed to the independent label Rough Trade Records. Several Smiths singles reached the top 20 of the UK Singles Chart and all of their studio albums reached the top five of the UK Albums Chart, including the number-one album Meat Is Murder (1985). They achieved mainstream success in Europe with The Queen Is Dead (1986) and Strangeways, Here We Come (1987), both of which entered the top twenty of the European Albums Chart. Their live album Rank (1988) reached the top 10 in Europe. Here are all The Smiths albums ranked.
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4. The Smiths (1984)
“When I first heard it I didnt know what to think. I knew they sounded different than any other band ive ever heard. As I listened to it I began to like it more and more. It grew on me. The lyrics are some of the smartest ive ever heard..I also purchased a Morrisey CD and was looking up some of the lyrics while listening to the songs and thought wow, this guy can write. I also see the reviewer said this was a Joy Division inspired band- that might have something to do with why the sound grew on me considering I love Joy Division. I definitely recommend this CD but as far as who would like this music I cant say. Its more of a mellow sound with contemplative lyrics.”
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3. Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)
“For me, the best example of The Smiths musical and lyrical style in one place. This album is about having so much passion for something (hating, loving, obsession, politics, loneliness,ect.) you feel it to be a crime (or almost a crime). Hence the title; Strangeways is a prison in England. And the cover art: a still from East of Eden; Morrissey was so obsessed with James Dean he wrote a book about him (which is hard to find, by the way). And filmed a video in his hometown. Morrisey’s wit and art with his lyrics and Marr’s amazing musical talent contrast, contradict, encourage, and compliment each other and the listener.”
2. Meat Is Murder (1985)
“I was very much under the impression that Indie music was all just “Yea yea yea I love you, aww mate I’m glad you let me feel your t*ts coz I bort you some chips and thaaaat” nonsense, like the Kooks and their ilk. I had heard SOME Smiths stuff and some other good indie bands too, but nothing ever peaked my interest enough. Then my mate sat me down one night when we’d just got back from the pub and we listened to this all the way through. Well, that was me sold from then on that indie really can be amazing.”
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1. The Queen Is Dead (1986)
“The title cut just takes off…left me breathless. Frankly Mr. Shankly is hilarious. My personal favorite is Bigmouth Strikes Again. The ballads are stunning – can’t think of one downside to this LP & the digital remastering is a plus. The Smiths excel in exposing our white underbelly – Morrissey’s lyrics always nail that tender spot we don’t always allow others to see, plus he has that dry wit. Like good literature, the music isn’t defined by the decade in which it was written. It doesn’t sound dated today & would also have been at home in the 60s or 70s. I Know It’s Over could have been written in the 40s or 50s & those painful lyrics almost beg for a smoke filled bar & a bottle of scotch. This is an album I’ll be returning to again & again.”