Stop me if you think that youve heard this one before....... (Strangeways Here We Come - The Smiths)

Member Name: clarkey7310

Product:	Strangeways Here We Come - The Smiths
Date:	20/05/09 (4 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: great atmospheric album

Disadvantages: just the cover, but thats a minor niggle

The last album from one of the greatest bands of the era, wasnt well received by the press at the time of its release and is still widely acknowledged to be their weakest offering. I think this is an unfair assesment, as do Johnny Marr and Morrissey who have both, at some time declared this to be their favourite.

Released after the departure of Johnny Marr and recorded amidst rising tensions particularly between Marr and Morrissey it certainly has a darker feel than previous Smiths albums. I dont know if the troubles contributed, but Marr's approach to the instrumentation seems to have changed, there is still some lovely guitar playing (see Girlfriend in a coma) but it seems a bit understated after heavenly jangly guitar playing on previous releases. His focus seems to have shifted to orchestration, Last night i dreamt that somebody loves me is an excellent example of this.

As for Morrissey, his voice was only getting better all the time, he sounds particularly good on the album close 'I wont share you', one of the best tracks they ever recorded. His lyrics were also just as sharp as ever.

The only thing about this album i would change is the cover, its not a bad one just not up to usual high standards that Morrissey set, the image is grainy and just doesnt seem to have the presence of his other creations.

Dont listen to the bad reviews this is a fine album, well worth a listen, particulary, Death of a Disco Dancer, I wont share you and Last Night I dreamt that somebody loved Me.

Summary: give it a try its well worth a place in any collection