#23 of 25
· Cratewise Editorial
“Their debut. 'This Charming Man,' 'Hand in Glove,' 'What Difference Does It Make?' Rough Trade reissues under $15 new. Morrissey and Marr's chemistry, fully formed from track one.”
The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982, consisting of vocalist Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. Despite their brief five-year existence, they became one of the most influential alternative rock bands of the 1980s. The group released four studio albums: The Smiths (1984), Meat Is Murder (1985), The Queen Is Dead (1986), and Strangeways, Here We Come (1987). Their lyrical content, marked by Morrissey's distinctive wit and social commentary, combined with Marr's innovative guitar work, resonated deeply with audiences. The band disbanded in 1987, but their legacy has endured through numerous reissues, compilations, and continued critical appreciation.
Style
The Smiths pioneered a distinctive jangly guitar-driven alternative rock sound that blended post-punk sensibilities with indie pop melodies. Their music is characterized by Marr's inventive, often rhythmic guitar playing, melodic bass lines, and Morrissey's baritone vocals delivering clever, often humorous and melancholic lyrics.
Significance
The Smiths remain essential for vinyl collectors due to their cult status and artistic integrity—their original LP pressings are highly sought after, and the band's influence on alternative rock, indie pop, and British music culture is immeasurable. Their records represent a pivotal moment in 1980s music and continue to inspire musicians across genres.
The Smiths' self-titled debut was recorded primarily at Battery Studios in London during late 1983, capturing the freshly-formed partnership between Morrissey's distinctive vocals and lyrical sensibilities and Johnny Marr's innovative guitar work. Produced by John Porter, the album showcases the band's distinctive sound—jangly guitar-driven pop with introspective, often darkly humorous lyrics exploring themes of love, rejection, and social alienation. Key tracks like "This Charmed Life" and "Hand in Glove" were already generating buzz from their earlier single releases. The chemistry between Marr's compositional genius and Morrissey's literary pretensions created an immediately recognizable aesthetic that would define post-punk alternative rock throughout the 1980s.
Historical Context
Released in February 1984, The Smiths arrived during a vibrant period of British alternative music, emerging from the post-punk landscape and finding space alongside bands like Depeche Mode and Duran Duran. The album received strong critical acclaim and moderate commercial success in the UK, reaching number 2 on the charts, though initial US reception was slower. The band's witty, intellectual approach to pop music and Morrissey's unapologetic oddness resonated particularly with art school audiences and LGBTQ+ communities. The Smiths would become increasingly influential, ultimately achieving cult status and reshaping alternative rock's trajectory throughout the decade.
Pressing Notes
The original UK pressing on Rough Trade Records (1984) is the most sought-after edition, particularly early copies with the distinct brown/marbled vinyl variants. Various pressings exist across different territories and reissues spanning decades. Collectors should note that early pressings can have surface noise issues common to that era's manufacturing. The album was remastered and reissued multiple times, including deluxe editions with bonus tracks. Early 1984 first pressings in mint condition command premium prices. Check pressing plant markings and matrix numbers to identify genuine original pressings versus later reissues.
Power, Corruption & Lies
New Order
This post-punk electronic album shares The Smiths' melodic sensibility and introspective lyrics while exploring a slightly more synth-driven sound from the same era.
Violator
Depeche Mode
Features the same 1980s sophisticated pop-rock atmosphere with dark, emotionally resonant songwriting and atmospheric production that appeals to The Smiths' audience.
Disintegration
The Cure
While more synth-heavy, it shares The Smiths' introspective lyrics, emotional vulnerability, and 1980s production sensibilities with similarly memorable melodic hooks.
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