The Smiths' singles collected on from disc (Singles - The Smiths)

Member Name: drakesdrum

Product:	Singles - The Smiths
Date:	10/07/09 (98 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fantastic poppy tracks, full of humour and excellent music

Disadvantages: Doesn't flow like an album, due to it being a compilation.

The Smiths, well what can I say about The Smiths. I wasn't old enough to grow up with The Smiths but the impact they have had on my life I cannot state highly enough. I came across this album at the age of 14, when I was passionate about Oasis. I read one of their influences were these lot and one day on holiday, I saw it for cheap and decided to get it. It changed my life forever, will it change yours? I put it on in the hire car, much to my parents annoyance and it has stayed with me ever since.

The music is unique, with Johnny Marr using his jangly guitar to create some incredible riffs. Andy Rourke uses his bass to produce bouncy, melodic basslines that would sound good if they were on their own. Mike Joyce complimented this urgency and emotion in the music with his drumming.

Then there's Morrissey. On this compilation there are some of the finest pieces of lyrics ever written, complete with Morrissey's odd but unique and natural singing voice. His voice is a love or hate thing. His lyrics through The Smiths were often dark, poignant and he sung about things nobody else dared go near in popular music. Despite the dark nature, they were laced with wit and humour, which is present throughout this album.

This compilation, as the title suggests, is a collection of singles The Smiths released. The Smiths were always passionate about their singles, Morrissey gave great attention to the sleeves, B-Sides were exceptional quality and of course, the A-Sides of a consistantly brilliant standard. This was not reflected in the chart positions however, which is a shame but comes as no great surprise because of the music's ability to split opinion so much. That's the thing with The Smiths, people just have to have an opinion. Everytime I mention I am a Morrissey fan, people just have to give their opinion. They judge immediately. This is testament to the music I feel, the fans were so devoted and the gigs were like religious experiences. This compilation is a great place to start for people wanting to find out what The Smiths are all about.

The sleeve features the brilliant Diana Dors, in the classic British film, 'Yield To The Night'. Diana Dors is one of Morrissey's heroes.

Hand In Glove

This was the first ever Smiths single which failed to make a dent in the charts, which Morrissey was very unhappy about. It's difficult to understand this failure. Whilst not your stereotypical pop song, it is catchy and it was fresh on the scene with Morrissey's interesting lyrics. The production of this song gives it a very raw feel, which I like. The band are in the starting blocks of their 'career' here and their emotion is there to see. A great opening track.

This Charming Man

One of the most famous songs they wrote, for good reason too. This track is an energetic song which you can dance along to. The bassline is a fantastic bouncy which compliemented Marr's fantastic jangly and melodic guitar work. A beautiful sounding track, the imagery conjured up in Morrissey's lyrics are just wonderful. A great pop tune, one of their most accessible tracks.

What Difference Does It Make?

I was mesmerised by this track when I first heard it. The guitar is an epic riff, dark sounding and it just generally sounds great. It's a very catchy track and suits its form as single perfectly. The lyrics are steeped with humour and emotion. An urgent and quick tempoed track, it makes for great listening.

Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now

A track that went someway to The Smiths being given a gloom and depressing tag on them, this track isn't just whining, it's humerous and full of quotable lines. That said, it's far from my favourite Smiths track and not one of the best on this compilation.

William, It Was Really Nothing

Based on the film 'Billy Liar', this is a short track worthy of attention for the music and the lyrics. For me, not one of The Smiths's finest moments but it's a good pop track nontheless

How Soon Is Now?

Gives 'This Charming Man' a running for the most famous Smiths track. The guitar in this track is simply awesome. Marr's creativity is really highlighted in this track, the haunting music echoeing around my speakers never fails to spark tingles on my neck. It's very atmospheric. The lyrics are emotional and theatrical, sometimes they are so blunt they sound silly but that, I feel, is entirely the point, it adds humour to make a typical Smiths track with many dimensions.

Shakespeare's Sister

A rocky, fast track. One of their more forgettable singles but worth a listen.

That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore

A hauntingly emotional track, with some excellent guitar work from Marr. Complete with Morrissey's emotive lyrics full of pain and hurt, this track is not your typically structured single. The fade out music at the end adds atmosphere which works really well, credit must go to the production for this.

Bigmouth Strikes Again

A fast, rocky number, the guitar work is the stand out feature of the music. Urgent and aggressive, yet somehow delicately and jangily played by Marr. The bassline is prominent and compliments the guitar very well. The lyrics are clever and witty and this makes for a great single. Morrissey's vocals are on top form in this track.

Boy With The Thorn In His Side

The music here sounds upbeat, whilst Morrissey's lyrics are full of frustration and emotion. However, as always, the lyrics are laced with humour. This mismatch between the music and lyrics works very well, mainly due to Morrissey's vocal work, changing the pitch expertly to emphasise certain moments.

Panic

An extremely catchy track bemoaning the music industry and in particular, Steve Wright at the time, many places namechecked in this track are forever immortalised in Smiths history. Not one of Marr's highly creative moments but to suit the lyrics, it didn't really need to be. It's an upbeat, punchy track which sticks in the brain, the makings of a truly great single.

Ask

Another upbeat song musically, matched with hilarious lyrics and excellent vocal work. The bassline is excellent and the drums work well together with this. A song bemoaning but also celebrating shyness in a way, it's an excellent mix of tones.

Shoplifters Of The World Unite

This is an excellent pop song with great atmosphere. The lyrics are typical of Morrissey, ambiguous, poignant and funny and they are complimented with a more conventional sounding guitar by Marr. Despite sounding less jangly, it still sounds unmistakingly Smiths, the bassline by Rourke and Morrissey's vocals add to this.

Sheila Take A Bow

An incredibly catchy track, this makes for a great single which sounds great on the radio. The outro drills into your head, it sounds almost like a child singing an annoying nursery rhyme. The song isn't annoying though, it's full of hooks with a chirpy guitar and playful vocals by Morrissey.

Girlfriend In a Coma

An absolutely hilarious song, with a delicately beautfiul guitar from Marr, it's the perfect pop song. Said to be Morrissey's response to journalists and critics picking at his lyrics for controversy, with that in mind, it makes it ever more funny. Imagine listening to radio two and then hearing this, the very thought makes me smile.

I Started Something I Couldn't Finish

A very bass-heavy track, personally I don't think it should've been a single. One of the more forgettable tracks on this compilation, it's not without it's charms. As I say the bass is hard and bouncy, Marr shows some experimentation in his guitar sound and the lyrics are often poignant and emotive.

Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me

A haunting song, very atmospheric, it's Morrissey's heart pouring out with full strength. It doesn't strike me as single material but it's a fantastic track. Very poignant and emotive, a great track with all members of the band on top form here.

There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

A beautfiul song, full of emotion. Very melodic and you can sing a long to it too. A simply fantastic track which is probably the track I'd let someone hear if they wanted to find out about The Smiths first. The sheer beauty of it, the pain and emotion in Morrissey's voice and lyrics, complete with humour too. A marvellous piece of music.

I personally prefer albums that are put together in a way the artist wanted them to be. However it's a terrific collection of songs which is a good starting point for people new to The Smiths to go for. At the time of writing, you can pick it up for £1.86 on amazon, used, which is an absolute bargain. £1.86 for the chance of changing your life, that's surely worth it?

Summary: A great starting place for people interested in The Smiths