The Smiths

From Mother Nature's Son TOP 100 COMMENTER 01/23/2015 15:41 | #132330

Never really figured out why this band is so popular, let alone why they're considered the greatest band of the 1980s according to this site (I would've thought bands/artists like U2, Michael Jackson, The Cure, Metallica, Prince, etc. were bigger or at the very least had albums that sounded more different to each other).

For starters, I have very mixed feelings towards Morrissey's voice. Sometimes I think it sounds smooth and sorta jazzy, other times the lispy pronunciation sounds forced and really grates on me. I can't for the life of me figure out whether he's trying to sound bitter, emotional, melancholic, sexy, witty or whatever? The music itself? It's alrigth, sometimes it's leaning towards the more upbeat and danceable, other times it's tender and ballad-like, yet a Smiths album to me ultimately feels like one long comatose monotony of Morrissey's voice melted in with a bunch of jangly guitars and other instruments. Not exactly a good one at that, though I will admit sometimes when the jangly guitars really take over, it becomes quite beautiful and hypnotic (like the closer of both the debut and "The Queen Is Dead").

On average, I'd say they more often than not are either boring or annoying, but a popular band they are, apparently! (Edited)

Definitely one of the greatest bands of the 1980s. The Smiths were so unique, so fresh, and so clean, clean. I cannot think of a cooler band of renegades to come from the 80's rock scene. Morrisseys vocals are so casual and laid back but they pack so much emotion. Although his lyrics are often odd and extreme Morrissey has to be one of the most notorious and often overlooked frontmen of the 80s. What would The Smiths be like without Morrissey? Not as good, I can assure you of that. Not to discredit the rest of the band, they were awesome as well but Morrissey was the really unique factor that set this band apart from the likes of U2 and the Talking Heads. The Queen is Dead is their best album followed by; Strangeways, The Smiths, and then Meat Is Murder. I would recommend those four albums over any others from this band.

From InsanityPrawnBoy 06/12/2019 03:32 | #237446

Some of the comments here..."Morrissey may be an awful person...", "Despite Morrisey's questionable remarks", "The Smiths succeed despite Morrissey's obnoxiousness".. etc...

Such comments come across as nothing more than insincere virtue signalling. The Guardian would be so proud of you... if they cared.


(Edited)

From RoundTheBend TOP 100 COMMENTER 04/16/2016 16:39 | #163923

I think I've understood why I have a hard time getting into this band - the music and the vocals only kind of go together. There's not distinct connection other than they are in the same key... Morrissey beautifully sings independently of the band... it really could just be him singing without the band and I'd have the same experience. The band is good and all independently, but I feel besides How Soon Is Now?, the music really isn't that unique from one song to the next. I also think maybe it's cause I'm an idiot American? I noticed that only two of their songs even charted in the US... and not terribly well. I'd take R.E.M. over this band any day.

For every decade Britain has produced one exceptionally offbeat songwriter, Ray Davies in 60s, Bowie in 70s, Morrissey for 80s and Jarvis Crocker for 90s.