I wouldn't say this is my favorite Smtihs album, but it is a very worthy sophomore effort. The production is alot better then their debut and I think this is where they finally started to capture the quintessential Smiths sound
Also this album lacks alot of Classic songs on it. The only single from it as 'That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore' which is a good slow song featuring The Smiths that I think has some of their trade-mark Black Humor in it.
Another album from the The Smiths box set 'Complete'!
This one is mostly a compilation of live recordings and some singles. It is a good mix however, not just some jumble forged together at the last minute.
This album may be my favorite Smiths album! It has some of their best songs on here! 'How Soon is Now?' is probably my favorite song of theirs! It is some 30 years later and it still sounds cool! I can't believe that Moz laid down the vocals in like only two takes! I wonder how many Millenials have never even heard the original and have only heard Love Spit Loves version from 'Charmed'? Bet there are quite a few out there!
The other crucial song on here is 'Heaven Knows I am Miserable Now'. The lyrics are funny as hell. I like how The Smiths and Moz can on one song be totally deadly serious and then on the next they have this total Black Humor thing going on.
There is one odd thing about this album though... It doesn't have 'This Night Has Opened My Eyes' which should supposedly be on here! I guess it is on another album on 'Complete' See there are U.K. releases and U.S. releases out there that differ so it gets kind of confusing as to what is on what!
Growing up in the '80s there are really only three big musical memories I have:
1.) Hearing 'Black Sabbath' by Black Sabbath and being hella' scarred.
2.) Hearing KISSes 'Love It Loud' and thinking it sounded big and cool
3.) And finally hearing The Smiths 'How Soon is Now?'
So the Smiths (along with Nirvana) can easily be credited with getting me into Alternative Rock.
And as it is 2013 Hard Harry412 just happens to have 'The Smiths - Complete' an awesome remastering of (almost) their entire discography that supposedly was over-seen by Johnny Marr! ZOMG!
Listening to their debut 'The Smiths' from complete is awesome! It sounds great! I did notice that 'Hand In Glove' on here sounds different then the single version that I have heard else-where.
My one bummer with this first album though is the last song, 'Suffer Little Children'. It just totally harshes my mellow. Well I guess artists do need to sometimes explore these darker parts of life though.
Oh yeah and Johnny Marr kicks total ass! He recently performed with one of my favorite bands Dinosaur Jr!!!
