The Smiths: A Journey Through Four Iconic Albums and Beyond

No British guitar band shone as brightly in the 1980s as The Smiths. Hailing from Manchester, this quartet formed in the summer of 1982, releasing their debut single within a year. Fast forward to this past summer, marking 40 years since their debut, and their legacy continues to endure. Despite their premature breakup before the release of their fourth studio album, “Strangeways, Here We Come” in 1987, the impact of The Smiths on the music world remains indelible. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each of their four studio albums and an essential outtakes collection that captures the essence of The Smiths.

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The Smiths (Rough Trade, 1984)

Even in their early Manchester shows, The Smiths displayed a remarkable level of maturity and cohesion as a band. However, their journey to record their debut album had its share of hurdles. Initially recorded with Teardrop Explodes guitarist Troy Tate in the producer’s chair, the band was dissatisfied with the flatness of the recordings, leading to the project’s abandonment. A second attempt with John Porter proved more successful. Porter understood that capturing the band’s magic required a two-pronged approach: preserving their live energy and enhancing it with overdubs of Johnny Marr’s guitar parts.

The result was The Smiths’ rawest album, offering a glimpse of the greatness that was to come. Tracks like “Miserable Lie” showcased a taut, post-punk urgency, with Johnny Marr’s riffs providing a stable foundation for Morrissey’s dramatic vocals. “What Difference Does It Make?” displayed their ability to craft brilliant pop songs, demonstrating that these leftfield outsiders had only scratched the surface of their potential.

Hatful Of Hollow (Rough Trade, 1984)

In 1984, The Smiths released “Hatful Of Hollow,” a compilation of non-album material that proved to be more than just a collection of outtakes. This album marked a turning point in The Smiths’ career and left an indelible mark on the music landscape. Released in November of that year, it climbed to Number 7 on the UK Albums Chart and remained in the chart for nearly a year.

Originally conceived as a stopgap while they worked on “Meat Is Murder,” “Hatful Of Hollow” included radio sessions of tracks from their debut album, some of which improved on their recorded versions. Standout tracks like the psychedelic rock groove of “How Soon Is Now?” demonstrated The Smiths’ ability to create atmospheric yet powerful music, even when initially relegated to B-side status. For many bands, following up a strong debut can be a challenge, but The Smiths had to measure up to an outtakes record.

Meat Is Murder (Rough Trade, 1985)

The Smiths hit their stride with “Meat Is Murder,” their second album. By this point, they had honed their musicality, and their previous albums had established them as a vital force in British music. This album represented a leap forward, with Johnny Marr incorporating folk-tinged diversions and choppy hillbilly riffs into their sound. Lyrically, Morrissey delved into his most politicized work to date, particularly with the pro-vegetarianism theme. The unity in their message was evident as bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce also adopted vegetarianism during the album’s recording sessions.

“Meat Is Murder” not only topped the charts as The Smiths’ only Number One album but also introduced them to engineer Stephen Street, a collaborator who would help them reach new creative heights on their subsequent record.

The Queen Is Dead (Rough Trade, 1986)

The Smiths’ first two studio albums had started with tracks that displayed restraint, giving the impression of confinement. However, “The Queen Is Dead” altered this dynamic from the very beginning. The opening track and title song, characterized by rolling drums, turbulent guitar riffs, and fluid bass lines, burst wide open. Morrissey’s vocals, at their flounciest and funniest, added a distinctive flavor to the album.

While “The Queen Is Dead” featured some of The Smiths’ most memorable singles like “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out,” it was also a showcase of their versatility. Tracks like “I Know It’s Over,” “Cemetry Gates,” and “Bigmouth Strikes Again” sounded distinctly different from one another but were unmistakably The Smiths’ creations. This album marked their transition from being a singles-oriented band to delivering a complete, cohesive record.

Strangeways, Here We Come (Rough Trade, 1987)

By the time “Strangeways, Here We Come” was released in September 1987, The Smiths had already disbanded several months prior. This album exuded a sense of new beginnings and experimentation, with haunting piano codas, synthetic strings, ghostly guitar riffs, and a post-rock-meets-boogie-woogie piano outro on “Death Of A Disco Dancer.” Unlike the swaggering attitude on “The Queen Is Dead,” Morrissey’s vocals on this album sounded vulnerable and yearning.

“Strangeways, Here We Come” left a sense that The Smiths were on the verge of something more ambitious and experimental. However, it served as their final statement. With four studio albums, a series of game-changing A-sides, and the posthumous live album “Rank” in 1988, The Smiths had concluded their journey, forever altering the musical landscape.

The Smiths’ Lasting Impact

The Smiths’ influence extended far beyond their four studio albums and outtakes collection. They became a touchstone for indie-rock bands and left an indelible mark on the music industry, inspiring a wide range of groups across subsequent decades. Their influence is evident in the work of artists such as The Stone Roses, Deftones, Radiohead, My Chemical Romance, Blur, St Vincent, The National, At The Drive-In, Boy Genius, The 1975, and many more. The enduring appeal of The Smiths lies not only in their music’s ability to capture the strife of the early ’80s but also in its timelessness, offering tales of suburban mundanity, hope, and inspiration, and songs that range from the ridiculous to the sublime.

In conclusion, The Smiths’ journey through their four studio albums and essential outtakes collection is a testament to their artistic brilliance and impact on the music world. While their legacy lives on, it’s important to revisit and celebrate their groundbreaking work, which continues to resonate with new generations of music lovers. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to their music, The Smiths’ albums are a journey worth taking, each offering a unique and compelling experience.