Strangeways, Here We Come (studio album) by The Smiths

This is a really consistent release from the Smiths with there being only one song I would consider skippable which is Death At One's Elbow but with its 2 minute run time it really doesn't affect the rest of the album. The standout for me is the opening track, the closing track and Girlfriend In A Coma which quickly became one of my most listened to songs last year after rediscovering this record. Those songs and the record as a whole just has a special charm about it that makes it feel like such a unique thing to experience. This is probably due to the duo of Morrissey and Marr who just pair up brilliantly. The way they work together on here to produce something completely different to all their other releases is a testament to their creativity and musical genius and shows just how incredible this group was. Overall, there are better Smiths albums out there but this one goes a little bit under the radar and it deserves more praise as it is elite.

Wow! Another masterpiece, it turns out they didn't make a bad album throughour their career. Here they reinvented their sound for fourth time and it works again, this time it's richer and more grandiose. Morrissey sings in expressive voice as always brilliant and ckever lyrics. I especially like sadness displayed on Last Night I Dreamt Somebody Loved Me, energy on Rush And Push And The Land Is Ours, gentleness of Girlfriend In A Coma and the last part of Death Of A Disco Dancer is really ahead of its time - sounds like OK Computer era Radiohead for me. I really like the lyrics of Paint A Vulgar Picture on which they are singing truth about music industry and also Unhappy Birthday is a big highlight.

Probably my favorite of the Smiths albums. Decent variety of styles across the songs and Morrissey’s humor pops.

From Jboy56 02/13/2022 16:05

Smiths have grabbed my mind, and that's a good thing. A great album

I think it's definitely the weakest of their studio albums, but it's still a brilliant album and well worth a listen. It doesn't have the same number of exceptional songs as the previous 3 albums but is still very enjoyable. My favourites are Stop Me and Paint A Vulgar Picture (love the guitar).

84

Exceptuando un par de canciones, tres si quieren, el resto está a la altura de The Queen Is Dead y su disco debut. Tiene canciones muy disfrutables como Girlfriend in a Coma y A Rush and a Push and the Land is Ours, que me dan una vibra similar y son cortas. Quizá la más infravalorada sea I Started Something porque tiene más bajo puntaje que las mejores del disco, y en mi opinión merece estar a su altura. Ni qué decir de Last Night I Dreamt that Somebody Loved Me, que puede ser tranquilamente la mejor canción de los Smiths, compitiéndole a otros de sus temas con buena letra y que también son considerados de sus mejores como Reel Around the Fountain o There is A Light that Never Goes Out.

Ya habrán unos 8 o 9 meses desde la primera vez que escuché este gran disco. Recuerdo que hace unos 5 o 6 estuve en mi mejor etapa y lo escuchaba todos los días en maratón de los Smiths. Pues en general es un disco notoriamente por debajo de sus obras maestras, que igual te hace rockear y tiene buenas canciones pop, sobre todo Girlfriend in a Coma.

First half excellent, second standard

From teague 07/16/2020 22:22

I started something I couldn't finish; this album.

A truly phenomenal album, one of my favorites, and definitely my favorite of theirs. Favorite track- I started something

90/100

Not Bad but a little overrated based this have 85/100, some songs are overhyped

Least favourite album by the smiths