Hatful Of Hollow (studio album) by The Smiths

From corenfro 09/16/2023 18:36

If there is a version of The Smiths that doesn't include Morrisey's incessant moaning, I probably would instantly upgrade all my ratings of their music (which is good) but I'm sorry I just can't.

I know I listen to and rabidly endorse a lot of artists with less than perfectly commercially marketable vocals (Radiohead, Charli XCX, Tame Impala) but this is just one that I can't get with.

It's a good album with good songs, I just can't stand the moaning vox.

Feel free to mark me as unhelpful, but this isn't something I write lightly: I have in fact listened again and again to the "classic" records by The Smiths, and I do agree the music is often incredible. I know this is a band that I could get very much into if I were able to look past the vocals. And there are songs where he doesn't overdo the moaning that I do really like. And I respect and appreciate The Smiths impact and legacy.

But just. too. much. moaning.

From teague 09/15/2023 17:33

Amazingly consistent first half, second half slowly dips in quality until the annoying Reel Around the Fountain. Picks back up immediately though for the last song.

If it wasn't a compilation I would rate it higher, because this is an amazing output.
It starts with William, It Was Really Nothing and we have great guitar playing here with great singing which will remain throughout the whole record. Version of What Difference Does It Make? and You've Got Everything Now are strong rivals for the originals and I like how these versions of Still Ill and This Charming Man sound here. These Things Take Time and Girl Afraid are other dynamic originals here that I love, but this album contains really strong ballads as well - Heaven Knows, I'm Miserable Now, This Night Has Opened My Eyes and Back To The Old House are all awesome, emotional tracks where you can feel tha pain in Morrisey's voice. How Soon Is Now? is in my opinion the greatest Smiths song and one of the best of all time - the atmosphere of standing in the busy ubderground and having deep hopeless depression is unrivaled, emotions in his voice are as raw as they can be. Please Let Me Get What I Want is a nice album closer. I'm not crazy about every track (Handsome Devil, Accept Yourself), but they all have some great elements, typically Johnny Marr's guitar playing

this is a compilation

Great Stuff!

Album Rating: 83.19
(1,331/16)

Side one

1. "William, It Was Really Nothing" Single A-side - 73
2. "What Difference Does It Make?" John Peel session, 18/5/83 - 97
3. "These Things Take Time" David Jensen session, 26/6/83 - 87
4. "This Charming Man" Peel session, 14/9/83 2:42 - 96
5. "How Soon Is Now?" B-side of "William, It Was Really Nothing" - 97
6. "Handsome Devil" Peel session, 18/5/83 - 97
7. "Hand in Glove" Single A-side mix - 68
8. "Still Ill" Peel session, 14/9/83 - 78


Side two

9. "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" Single A-side - 79
10. "This Night Has Opened My Eyes" Peel session, 14/9/83 - 77
11. "You've Got Everything Now" Jensen session, 26/6/83 - 75
12. "Accept Yourself" Jensen session, 25/8/83 - 79
13. "Girl Afraid" B-side of "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" - 79
14. "Back to the Old House" Peel session, 14/9/83 - 70
15. "Reel Around the Fountain" Peel session, 18/5/83 - 80
16. "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want" - 99

While it repeats many of the tracks from The Smiths, what it adds and leaves out makes it an interesting and compelling album. As many of the tracks were taken from loose sessions for BBC radio, they are looser and less intense than the versions recorded and produced with care for the studio debut. Some of the strengths of this album are things like the inclusion of the stunning "How Soon Is Now?" which was originally released as a b-side, and the first singles, "Hand In Glove", "This Charming Man", and "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now". All in all the debut is the better album, but by heck it's close!

16 songs and an average of 87 , that just tell you how amazing this album is

How Soon Is Now? is the best song on this comp. The rest is really good.

100/100

This is better than The Queen is Dead, top 10 albums of the 80s