Recorded as the relationship between Morrissey and Johnny Marr was beginning to splinter, Strangeways, Here We Come is the most carefully considered and elaborately produced album in the group's catalog. Though it aspires greatly to better The Queen Is Dead, it falls just short of its goals. With producer Stephen Street, the Smiths created a subtly shaded and skilled album, one boasting a fuller production than before. Morrissey and Marr also labored hard over the songs, working to expand the Smiths' sound within their very real boundaries. For the most part, they succeed. "I Started Something I Couldn't Finish," "Girlfriend in a Coma," "Stop Me if You Think You've Heard This One Before," and "I Won't Share You" are classics, while "A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours," "Death of a Disco Dancer," and "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me" aren't far behind. However, the songs also have a tendency to be glib and forced, particularly on "Unhappy Birthday" and the anti-record company "Paint a Vulgar Picture," which has grown increasingly ironic in the wake of the Smiths' and Morrissey's love of repackaging the same material in new compilations. Still, Strangeways is a graceful way to bow out. While it doesn't match The Queen Is Dead or The Smiths, it is far from embarrassing and offers a summation of the group's considerable strengths.
There are definitely some artists that you keep coming back to over & over again from a certain decade: The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Psychedelic Furs, New Order, Pixies, REM, Sonic Youth, INXS. But the one group I seem to revisit most is The Smiths. I love every Smiths album. Everything they did turned to gold. Their sound was so unique & was nothing that I'd ever heard before. So when it comes ...
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So, I haven't downloaded this fancy software yet, but once I get myself set up on my laptop as opposed to the ancient desktop the family shares I shall. I've been meaning to set up an account here for a while and simply didn't want to forget to do so. Anway should I say something about music? Well, I rather like The Smiths. I think everyone's life would be better if they listened to them.
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This past Sunday, I turned 37. As my wife so kindly reminds me, I'm now in my late thirties. It's now officially too late to die early and leave a good-looking corpse.To add to the ignominity of the event, I got no sleep the night before. I had agreed to work late that Saturday night, to basically babysit our technicians that patch the Windows servers we manage. That started at 10PM, and du...
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As your favorite SLACKER sister... my "check" will be in the mail shortly... still trying desperately to keep from getting the sinus infection capt. Stinker Bean had this weekend when he was shackin up with his auntie :)BUT... what I can do is post a note to you from all us MOGtipliers who've had the supreme pleasure of your company for several years now & to MANY MANY MORE !!!! (especially if...
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There are definitely some artists that you keep coming back to over & over again from a certain decade: The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Psychedelic Furs, New Order, Pixies, REM, Sonic Youth, INXS. But the one group I seem to revisit most is The Smiths. I love every Smiths album. Everything they did turned to gold. Their sound was so unique & was nothing that I'd ever heard before. So when it comes ...
More >
This past Sunday, I turned 37. As my wife so kindly reminds me, I'm now in my late thirties. It's now officially too late to die early and leave a good-looking corpse.To add to the ignominity of the event, I got no sleep the night before. I had agreed to work late that Saturday night, to basically babysit our technicians that patch the Windows servers we manage. That started at 10PM, and du...
More >
So, I haven't downloaded this fancy software yet, but once I get myself set up on my laptop as opposed to the ancient desktop the family shares I shall. I've been meaning to set up an account here for a while and simply didn't want to forget to do so. Anway should I say something about music? Well, I rather like The Smiths. I think everyone's life would be better if they listened to them.
More >
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 "Strangeways, Here We Come")
