I've never heard any of their albums. I have heard Bona Drag, but I'm not sure if it would be the same. BD was pretty good, but I wasn't blown away by it or anything.


What Smiths album should a newbie start with?

And why?
[Edited 6/5/05 20:13pm]

Gay4Play said:

just vote in the survivor

http://www.prince.org/msg/8/148458

Well, The Queen Is Dean is the widely acknowledged classic in their catalogue, so that's as good a place to start as any, I suppose.

I also really like Louder Than Bombs, a compilation of UK singles and radio sessions - I probably listen to it more than any of their studio albums aside from "the Queen...".

I think Louder than Bombs is a good place to start, or one of their singles collections. I admire the Smiths but can only deal w/ them in small doses usually.

I will agree that Louder Than Bombs is the best place to start.

It's a titch more polished than their previous albums while maintaining the whole morose feel through many of the songs.

If you like that one, THEN I'd say "The Queen Is Dead" is a good second CD- that's prolly my fave from them...

Yeah Louder Than Bombs then The Queen is Dead!

JonSnow said:

Same here. Love their music to bits, but can only handle it now and then.

I listen to some music far more miserable and intense than theirs, but for some reason if I play them too long it leaves me kinda numb.

I got immediately hooked the first time I heard Queen is Dead and couldn't stop playing it, especially "Big Mouth Strikes Again". I have never so immediately connected with an album or a song or any music in my life. It was true love at first listen.

Then as I worked my way into their other albums Hatful of Hollow ended up being my favorite. But I might suggest Queen is Dead to start. It's so catchy and awesome.

GangstaFam said:

When I was a Smiths fanatic, I played them over and over, album after album, and rarely listened to any other music. It was also the best music to listen to 'ed. I guess I was just in that mopey 80's consciousness, so I couldn't get enough.

Nowadays, though, I don't stomach Smiths so well. I feel like I've eaten one too many fritos and can't eat another. Thus I never listen to them today. I love it, however, when they come on the radio.

I actually think starting from their first self titled album is as good a place as any. I think if you actually run through the tracklist it's an amazing debut. The only wrong place to start I think would be the live album Rank. Louder Than Bombs is a good comp but it's quiet a large portion. The Queen Is Dead is indeed their acknowledged classic but I hold their other albums in equally high esteem. Strangeways Here We Come is a beautiful record..god they were so good!!

I loved them. I have to agree with LOUDER THAN BOMBS and THE QUEEN IS DEAD. I've always loved the writing. They were hilarious. VICAR IN A TUTU, BIGMOUTH STRIKES AGAIN, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LET ME GET WHAT I WANT, SING ME TO SLEEP....Oh the memories.

The songs that got me hooked had to be THIS CHARMING MAN, THE BOY WITH THE THORN IN HIS SIDE AND HOW SOON IS NOW.


M

mynameisnotsusan said:

I love their debut. I love the raw sound to it all and Moz's pained falsetto. Lyrically, I probably dig this record above the others. But I have to admit, it took a while to grow on me and I didn't pick it up till after Meat Is Murder and The Queen Is Dead. I wonder if I had started with their debut if I would've continued on the Smiths journey.

my favorite Smiths track is a b-side, I believe - Oscillating Wildly. Or is it Oscillate Wildly? I'm too lazy to look it up, heh. It's instrumental though, and is just too cool.

JonSnow said:

Good One. It's on Louder than Bombs.

Hello there, Gaydude. I'm probably one of the biggest Smiths fans on the org. But I has my own preferences when it comes to their music. First off, fuck The Queen is Dead. You should get Hatfull of Hollow and Louder Than Bombs first. Those recordings were mostly from radio sessions, but they show The Smiths at the absolute best. Their strength was always in their live performances, and those albums show that very strongly.

endorphin74 said:

I'm sure. You were born to love all things Moz and Manchester.

CinisterCee said:

i was going to say this as a close second to louder than bombs...

this album

violett said:

right on