The Smiths

[MakeMyself]

I've sort of gained a liking for these guys recently, but what do you all think of the actual music?

I mean I've always been put off by what people say about Morrissey (sp?), but I've started listening to them and they're like a really well rounded band, not just an extremely individual songwriter with a so-so backing band, which I thought they were. Seriously though, I'm surprised how upbeat the music can be, despite the lyric's themes.

Opinions?

[BassVirtuoso]

The Smiths are amazing. The bass player has one of the most incredible lines for the songs because they give the song a whole new dimension. I know exactly what you mean by upbeat music despite the lyrics, for example, There is a Light that Never Goes Out. The way Morrissey is singing "And if a double decker bus, crashes into us. To die by your side, is such a heavenly way to die" makes it sound so happy and powerful. The guitarist has an amazing comping ability too, he never does too much.

Yeah I'm a big Smiths fan...

[-Listy-]

me and one of my friends were saying last night over a few drinks that Johnny Marr is a true genius, although I think we know that :p.

I always notice the basslines, Andy Rourke is brilliant.

Theres a song on Meat is murder, 'Barbarism Begins at Home' .. I think, where he has such a sweet funky bass line, which reminds me i'll need to dig the albums out and give them another spin.

[MakeMyself]

Any recommendations on albums?

[BassVirtuoso]

Meat is Murder and The Queen is Dead are my 2 favorite albums. They are pretty much necessary to have.

[MakeMyself]

Gonna have to get onto Play.com once my EMA get's sorted...

[E_man]

I am a true Smiths fan, absolutly adore them and yet I'm the only person that I know that really listens to them, despite the hoard of indie kids at my college who label them as crap even though they pretty much invented 'indie' as it were. Gotta love 'bigmouth strikes again' great song

[Radiobass81]

I'm probably in the top 5 Smith fans in the bass forums, and have gotten people really into them (Justin).

I love them, and their bassist is pretty much where I'd like to be, besides with less treble in his tone :p.

[Cygnus Inter Anates]

Any recommendations on albums?

Best place to start is Singles.

[MakeMyself]

Ah, I think his tone is just right myself, it really cuts through, but not so much that it starts to intrude on anyone else's role.

[BassVirtuoso]

I'm probably in the top 5 Smith fans in the bass forums, and have gotten people really into them (Justin).

I love them, and their bassist is pretty much where I'd like to be, besides with less treble in his tone :p.

Yeah ever since you made that FS on This Charming Man, it changed my life.

[morrissey]

I'm obviously a huge Smiths fan. Check out my Smiths FA, SOP's Morrissey FA or any of the reviews we've done on Sputnik which cover their entire discography. I've also done lots of Morrissey reviews but that's not territory you want to chart until you've exhausted the marvel that is the Smiths.

I like to try ordered recommendations, but the Smiths have such a small catalogue it can't be too difficult to just get them all. It's worth it. My personal favourite record is Hatful of Hollow, but the standard favourite is The Queen is Dead. Try them all on for size and you'll find an album to your liking.

Smiths FA
http://www.sputnikmusic.com/muse.php?museid=330
Morrissey FA
http://www.sputnikmusic.com/bands.php?full=1&bandid=693
Smiths Reviews (I wrote Hatful of Hollow, Meat is Murder, Strangeways... and Rank)
http://www.sputnikmusic.com/band/The+Smiths

[Az_Holl]

I'm probably in the top 5 Smith fans in the bass forums, and have gotten people really into them (Justin).

I love them, and their bassist is pretty much where I'd like to be, besides with less treble in his tone :p.

Oh god i know. This is probably the only thing that annoys me about them, but its pretty minor.

I only bought the best of album ( yeah i know lol) because 2 of my friends are obsessed with them.

Ive only listened to it once so far, i really have to listen to it again (and alot of other stuff too... damn music, ruining my life) but i really liked it the first time around.

[Octavius]

Finally someone who apreciates The Smiths as musicians. I love Morrisseys lyrics but i also think that they wouldnt have as much emotional power if the music was made by other musicians. If you're looking for good bass playing i recommend Meat is muder, the first 2 tracks are immense.

[Dyslexic Magician]

I KNOW I'M UNLOVEABLE.. YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELLL MEE....

[Dyslexic Magician]

also i have this really rad looking red smiths tshirt i found in a thrift shop, one of my coolest tshirts i have.

[Radiobass81]

A rather sunny day
So I'll meet you at the cemetry gates
Keats and Yates are on your side

God I love that song.

[Dyslexic Magician]

dang this thread got me back into listening to the smiths
they make me so happy
changed my myspace song

www.myspace.com/khudar

[mikethecoug]

andy rourke is awesome i always love his basslines they're so jumpy and catchy..

and i love the smiths too, only got into them this year, i've met johnny marr too!!

johnny's son plays for my football team and i see him pretty much every sunday and i played pretty good once and johnny came up and patted me on the back and said 'great game lad' and i was well proud!

[sinister]

Gonna have to get onto Play.com once my EMA get's sorted...

Haha good one!

I've lost my EMA for the past two weeks cos I ended up skipping lessons to finish two courseworks on time.

And I only skipped one Lesson in each week, I should have done more to make it worthwhile 8-)

[bottlerocket]

I love The Smiths. One of the most influential bands of the 20th century, definitely. Amazing songwriters.

But I don't see what this has to do with bass. :p

Music is music, though! So I'll leave it open, unless another bass mod wants to close it...

[Dyslexic Magician]

their basslines rock dude

so simple and so great

[RedMorningLight]

To put it on a more bass level, I was thinking about The Smiths songs I want to learn on bass. What are everyone's favorite lines to play? I love the riff in the second half of 'This Charming Man'.

[Dyslexic Magician]

this charming man fo' sho.

[sr800bkBassist]

i love i love i love.

The Queen is Dead is my favorite.

morrissey's solo stuff bores me though. all except for the song Suedehead, and also his cover of "Song From Under the Floorboards" by Magazine.

[Tokyo_Vogue]

The Smiths were great as a band. The bassist and the guitarist were both genius. However, Morrissey's vocal style really detracts from the whole and really calls attention to itself, in my opinion...not to mention he's a total douche...

[Criss Frantic]

Morrissey is a complete wank. Johnny Marr is God with a guitar. (however I like his work with Matt Johnson and The The more than The Smiths).

[Radiobass81]

I've got the new Morrissey album, and it's got a few good songs. Nothing terribly consistent or mind blowing, but I like it.

Sing Your Life is a GREAT song, though. Up there with The Smiths songs, to me.