The Smiths - Singles

When you listen to this collection of nearly all the noteworthy singles by the Smiths, you might marvel over the fact that Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr collaborated and cowrite so many astonishing tunes only to break up a mere four years into their creative burst. The first half of Singles is a relentless parade of top-notch emotional Morrissey punches. Then just when you think you're going to catch your breath, "Bigmouth Strikes Again" breaks out and the poignancy and wit of that charming man really hits home. From the shimmering "Ask" to the dark crooner "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me" to the closing hit "There is a Light That Never Goes Out," the collection leaves one feeling wistful, for these tracks will never be matched. --Lorry Fleming Amazon.com essential recording

A collectiong of singles...

when you buy a singles collection, you pretty much know what you're getting ahead of time. I no longer have my record player hooked up, and I'm in the process of transfering a lot of my collection, via the computer, over to CD. So, in the meantime, I picked this up for under a dollar.

If you're getting into the Smiths, then this is a good place as any to start... but I'd argue that you might be more interested in the first couple albums.

I only give this CD four stars because, while it does have all the singles, the CD booklet has little information. I think there could've been/ should've been a lot more here, especially when you consider that a lot of people who are picking this up are new to the Smiths. October 25, 2008

Prime Smiths material

Eighteen singles, eighteen classics- that's pretty much what this disc offers. The Smiths were one of the greatest singles bands of all time, capable of creating striking and emotional songs that were full of pop hooks, well-placed experimental touches, and raw emotion. The singular combination of Johnny Marr's intricate, inescapable guitar lines and the wistful grace of Morrissey's is on full display here. "This Charming Man" is nothing less than the exact sound of falling in love, a stunning cascade of angelic guitar chords and quivering, spine-tingling vocals. There's also the dark romanticism of "Hand In Glove," the sardonically bemused "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now," and the raw atmosphere and harrowing catharsis of "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore." "How Soon Is Now" features a disorienting guitar attack and starkly confessional vocals, while "What Difference Does It Make" is pure bitter anguish. "Ask" Is shimmering and hypnotic, while "Shoplifters Of The World Unite" and "Sheila Take A Bow" provide anthems to timid loners and anti-socialites everywhere. Also present are the gorgeous desolation of "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" and the somewhat apocalyptic "Panic." All in all, stellar stuff from one of the 80s' greatest groups. November 23, 2007

This and "Louder Than Bombs" are all you need.

Unless you are one of the vanishing tribe of Smiths completists, the eponymous first album, this collection of singles, and "Louder Than Bombs" contains all that is listenable and enduring from this quartet. Many elevate Morrisey (vocals, lyrics) and Marr (ethereal guitar work), but the rhythm section of the Smiths is oft overlooked, with a bass (Andy Rourke, a friend of Marr's) and drum (Mike Joyce) that never overwhelm, nor embellish, but consistently round out and support strong lead vocals and guitars. March 3, 2007

Personally most the album is not good

my advice is to download the songs you like from i-tunes November 3, 2006

Fun With Singles

"Singles" was the first CD by the Smiths/Morrissey that I ever bought, and I enjoyed it from the very first listen. They're a British rock group, guitar fuelled with witty lyrics that can make you either laugh or cry, depending on how you're feeling. Unrequited love, unhappiness, unemployment, they cover all the low feelings, and with flair. There one of those groups that I can truly say helped me through some tough times. They had a few chart hits in Britain in the 1980s, but were more of an alternative band elsewhere. Their best known song is probably "How Soon is Now?" which some people might know as the theme song used in the TV series "Charmed" (it isn't the Smiths singing in that version though). I'm pretty sure I've heard "Bigmouth Strikes Again" on the radio too.

Here's a rundown of what songs on "Singles" are from which studio albums:

3 songs from "The Smiths" (1984)
2 songs from "Meat is Murder" (1985)
3 songs from "The Queen is Dead" (1986)
3 songs from "Strangeways Here We Come" (1987)

The other 7 songs on "Singles" weren't released on the proper studio releases, but you can find them on one of the Smiths semi-compilation CDs("Hatful of Hollow","Louder Than Bombs","The World Won't Listen").

It's all very good music, and I've given this disc many a listen, but for a newcomer to the Smiths, I suggest you get "The Very Best of" instead. You get 5 more tracks, and the whole thing is remastered and has a booklet with a little more info on the band. You could also get "Louder than Bombs", which is a great compilation in terms of music, even if it doesn't have all the best known Smiths songs. A good companion to this compilation would be one of the two Morrissey solo best of's, either "Suedehead" or "The Best of". September 22, 2006

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