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Album Club (April 1, 2007 - March 1, 2009); Like a book club, but with albums!
Topic Started: Apr 1 2007, 05:36 PM (18,219 Views)
Carpenter
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The Smiths - The Smiths

The Smiths were, undoubtedly, the British indie band of the '80s, and probably the most distinguishable of the bunch. They had their own unique sound, their own little niche which only they could occupy, and like that sound or not, their uniqueness deserves praise in itself. Morrissey has a distinct voice and a talent with words, and Marr has an amazing gift for melody and musicianship. Their coupling is what made The Smiths so unique in the first place, because technically it shouldn't have worked. But it did.

The Smiths was their first album, and was and is considered an excellent record by the press. Many people couldn't get quite used to Morrissey's vocals (or refused to try) or the fact that The Smiths had no qualms about doing away with any sense of conventional song structure, but others found both these qualities as virtues and most agreed that The Smiths were melodically gifted and that Johnny Marr knew how to pull off a good guitar line or chord progression. I'm undoubtedly part of the latter group.

Morrissey's voice doesn't rub me the wrong way (except his wailing on "Miserable Lie", probably the weakest track on the record), the fact that many of the songs are basically poems set to music ("The Hand That Rocks The Cradle") doesn't bother me, and I absolute adore their melodies ("Hand In Glove", "Reel Around The Fountain") and Marr's guitar lines ("This Charming Man", "What Difference Does It Make"). I also find that the lyrics are deeply affecting, no matter how 'good' the voice delivering them is. You may not like the timbre of Morrissey's voice, but he never really goes out of tune and his voice perfectly suits phrases like 'Heavy words are so lightly thrown, but still I'd leap in front of a flying bullet for you' or 'I would win and you would lose, but you've got everything now...and what a terrible mess I've made of my life'.

Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce are an adequate rhythm section but they're certainly not Jones and Bonham. Does that bother me? No, because that's not what you listen to The Smiths for. Complaining about the drumming on these songs (which is always in time and delivers quite a few nice fills anyway) is like complaining about the guitars on Bob Dylan songs. You'd be missing the point entirely. You may not find Keith Moon drumming on this record, but I guarantee you won't hear Morrissey singing any substance-lacking lyrics about some guy named Jack getting ridden like a donkey.

All in all, The Smiths is a good album if you know what to look for in it (much like a Bob Dylan album). If you don't go into this expecting affecting lyrics and melodies delivered by a strangely unique (yet adequate) singer and amazing guitar and keyboard parts set to a modest but competent rhythm section, you probably won't enjoy it. If you realize what it is you're in for, you'll have a blast with this record.

The Smiths - The Smiths gets 7/10 from me.
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Carpenter
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PsychicEqualizer
Apr 7 2007, 06:22 PM
4.5 Stars/5 Stars for The Smiths.

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Actually that would be Agent Brown, Agent Smith, and Agent Jones (left to right).

These would be the Smiths:
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Kira
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Hate me, do it and do it again.
The above review by Mike pretty much sums it up. I loved the album.
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Woof Oink Baaa
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Now 100% more avant-garde than Ivan!
Great review, Carpenter. You seem to be very insightful and sensible. The Smiths were not about a great rhythm section, though Rourke's bass lines could sometimes drive an entire track (see The Queen is Dead).

I really like Morrissey's falsetto at the end of Miserable Lie, if that is what you're referring to. It makes the song's lyrical theme all that much creepy when Moz gets his voice to sound like that of a young lad.

I'd personally give this one a 9.5/10.

Anyway, great review.
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Clint
If we could just join hands..
Woof Oink Baaa
Apr 7 2007, 03:00 PM
Great review, Carpenter. You seem to be very insightful and sensible. The Smiths were not about a great rhythm section, though Rourke's bass lines could sometimes drive an entire track (see The Queen is Dead).

I really like Morrissey's falsetto at the end of Miserable Lie, if that is what you're referring to. It makes the song's lyrical theme all that much creepy when Moz gets his voice to sound like that of a young lad.

I'd personally give this one a 9.5/10.

Anyway, great review.

I say 9.5/10 as well.
Mild apprehension.
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LedZeppelin222
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I'm the taxmaaaaaan
PinkerThanFloyd
Apr 7 2007, 04:15 PM
Woof Oink Baaa
Apr 7 2007, 12:41 PM
What are you going to upload?

Something I haven't heard?

I like the idea of choosing a band that probably nobody has heard of.

a band that nobody has heard, or a band that nobody has heard of?
anyone for tennis?
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PsychicEqualizer
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My Sweet Lord
Carpenter
Apr 7 2007, 02:53 PM
PsychicEqualizer
Apr 7 2007, 06:22 PM
4.5 Stars/5 Stars for The Smiths.

Posted Image

Actually that would be Agent Brown, Agent Smith, and Agent Jones (left to right).

These would be the Smiths:
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I know, I know. I tried looking for the pic I posted before on Random Musician Pics, but I couldn't find it. But there's no tricking you sir.
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Keith Moon
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Moon the Loon
Woof Oink Baaa
Apr 7 2007, 06:00 PM
Great review, Carpenter. You seem to be very insightful and sensible. The Smiths were not about a great rhythm section, though Rourke's bass lines could sometimes drive an entire track (see The Queen is Dead).

I really like Morrissey's falsetto at the end of Miserable Lie, if that is what you're referring to. It makes the song's lyrical theme all that much creepy when Moz gets his voice to sound like that of a young lad.

I'd personally give this one a 9.5/10.

Anyway, great review.

Geez, I'm giving a personal review. Sorry I care about the rhythm section. :cigar: And you're right that's not what you should listen to The Smiths for, but see to me it matters so I didn't like it. Just kill me for it.
My friends call me Keith, but you can call me John.

I was a rust repairer.
I was a rust repairer and full-time survivor.
I survived all the major earthquakes, and the Titanic, and several air crashes.



Out here in the fields
I fight for my meals.


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I Don't Mind Other Guys Dancing With My Girl.
That's fine. I know them all pretty well.
But I know sometimes I must get out in the light.
Better leave her behind with the kids, they're alright.
The kids are alright.
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working_class_hero
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Captain ASR
Clint, Ryan (LZ222), Zach (Pointy/Adeadchicken), Joe (FlamingPieMan), Dean, and Jeff (JeorgeMcStarkey) check your PM box for the link with the new album. Andrew should be sending it to the rest of you
someday monkey won't play piano song, play piano song

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Carpenter
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I'm gonna sit this one out as I'm not a fan of Genesis and I don't want to knock them.
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Kira
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Hate me, do it and do it again.
Carpenter
Apr 7 2007, 11:49 PM
I'm gonna sit this one out as I'm not a fan of Genesis and I don't want to knock them.

It's not Phil Collins, you Noel lover.
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Keith Moon
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Moon the Loon
Carpenter
Apr 7 2007, 10:49 PM
I'm gonna sit this one out as I'm not a fan of Genesis and I don't want to knock them.

Why? Isn't that part of what this is supposed to be? That's the drift I got when Zach created this. I didn't think we were only supposed to listen for stuff we had a hard on for... I don't care if everybody hates my album; I like it and that's all that matters to me. I think good and bad reviews are a positive as long as you give reasons (which evidently me caring about different parts of music than everyone else is a sin). I think disliking a band is a poor reason to not review an album, but do as you please.
My friends call me Keith, but you can call me John.

I was a rust repairer.
I was a rust repairer and full-time survivor.
I survived all the major earthquakes, and the Titanic, and several air crashes.



Out here in the fields
I fight for my meals.


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I Don't Mind Other Guys Dancing With My Girl.
That's fine. I know them all pretty well.
But I know sometimes I must get out in the light.
Better leave her behind with the kids, they're alright.
The kids are alright.
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Carpenter
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White Collar Boy
Apr 7 2007, 11:52 PM
Carpenter
Apr 7 2007, 11:49 PM
I'm gonna sit this one out as I'm not a fan of Genesis and I don't want to knock them.

It's not Phil Collins, you Noel lover.

Me and Noel just happen to have similar taste in music (he had the BJM open for them during the Morning Glory tour), only his hatred of Genesis' music is focused personally towards Phil Collins. I just don't like their sound and I recognize that there's no way I could really objectively review it, so I'm doing the honorable thing and skipping out on the review. If anyone is really interested in what I have to say about it or really wants me to listen to it I'd be happy to, but you might as well place big bets that I'm gonna hate it while you're at it.
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Carpenter
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Keith Moon
Apr 7 2007, 11:54 PM
Carpenter
Apr 7 2007, 10:49 PM
I'm gonna sit this one out as I'm not a fan of Genesis and I don't want to knock them.

Why? Isn't that part of what this is supposed to be? That's the drift I got when Zach created this. I didn't think we were only supposed to listen for stuff we had a hard on for... I don't care if everybody hates my album; I like it and that's all that matters to me. I think good and bad reviews are a positive as long as you give reasons (which evidently me caring about different parts of music than everyone else is a sin). I think disliking a band is a poor reason to not review an album, but do as you please.

Fine, I'll give it a go.

PS that whole thing about the rhythm section in the Smiths was aimed directly at you and it's no big deal anyway.
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Keith Moon
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Carpenter
Apr 7 2007, 10:55 PM
White Collar Boy
Apr 7 2007, 11:52 PM
Carpenter
Apr 7 2007, 11:49 PM
I'm gonna sit this one out as I'm not a fan of Genesis and I don't want to knock them.

It's not Phil Collins, you Noel lover.

Me and Noel just happen to have similar taste in music (he had the BJM open for them during the Morning Glory tour), only his hatred of Genesis' music is focused personally towards Phil Collins. I just don't like their sound and I recognize that there's no way I could really objectively review it, so I'm doing the honorable thing and skipping out on the review. If anyone is really interested in what I have to say about it or really wants me to listen to it I'd be happy to, but you might as well place big bets that I'm gonna hate it while you're at it.

Talk about not giving a band a chance.
My friends call me Keith, but you can call me John.

I was a rust repairer.
I was a rust repairer and full-time survivor.
I survived all the major earthquakes, and the Titanic, and several air crashes.



Out here in the fields
I fight for my meals.


Posted Image

I Don't Mind Other Guys Dancing With My Girl.
That's fine. I know them all pretty well.
But I know sometimes I must get out in the light.
Better leave her behind with the kids, they're alright.
The kids are alright.
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