The Smiths

by The Smiths

Overview

Arriving in an era dominated by synth pop and gloomy post-punk, the Smiths' eponymous debut was the bracing beginning of a new era. On the surface, the Smiths' sound wasn't radically different from traditional British guitar pop -- Johnny Marr's ringing, layered guitars were catchy and melodic -- but it was actually an astonishing subversion of the form, turning the structure inside out. Very few of the songs followed conventional verse-chorus structure, yet they were quite melodic within their own right. Marr's inventive songwriting was made all the more original and innovative by Morrissey's crooning and lyrics. Writing about unconventional topics, from homosexuality ("Hand in Glove") to child molestation and murder, Morrissey had a distinctively ironic, witty, and literate viewpoint whose strangeness was accentuated by his off-kilter voice, which would move from a croon to a yelp in a matter of seconds. While the production of The Smiths is a little pristine, the songs are vital and alive, developing a new, unique voice within pop music. Though the Smiths continued to improve over the course of their career, their debut remains startling and exciting. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	08/11/2023
Label:	Rhino / Warner Bros.
UPC:	0825646658800
Rank:	1671

Tracks

1. Reel Around the Fountain
2. You've Got Everything Now
3. Miserable Lie
4. Pretty Girls Make Graves
5. The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
6. This Charming Man
7. Still Ill
8. Hand in Glove
9. What Difference Does It Make?
10. I Don't Owe You Anything
11. Suffer Little Children

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Smiths   Primary Artist
Annalisa Jablonska   Guest Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Paul Carrack   Guest Artist,Organ,Piano
Andy Rourke   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Johnny Marr   Guitar,Harmonica
Mike Joyce   Drums
Morrissey   Vocals

Technical Credits

Phil Bush   Engineer
Johnny Marr   Composer,Songwriter
John Porter   Producer,Remixing,Remixing
Neill King   Engineer
Morrissey   Composer,Lyricist,Sleeve Art
Andrew Catlin   Photography
Phuil Bush   Engineer
Joelle Depont   Photography