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"The Very Best of The Smiths" review in Birmingham Post

posted by davidt on Monday June 11 2001, @08:45AM
TrblLuvsMe sends:

Copyright 2001 Midland Independent Newspapers plc
Birmingham Post
June 9, 2001, Saturday
CD REVIEWS: ROCK AND POP
Andrew Cowen


THE SMITHS The Very Best Of (WEA): Now this could be one of the best albums ever, or a cynical marketing ploy, depending on whether this old outfit from Manchester mean anything to you. Basically a collection of singles, the material has been released before, recently on two separate discs. It's been digitally remastered and sounds lovely, but if you're a fan you've probably got all this on vinyl.

Twenty three tracks of prime northern miserabalism which changed the UK music scene forever. If you're a new student or just growing out of S Club 7, it's an essential purchase and if you haven't heard the Smiths before I envy that first introduction which this collection can provide.

It's all here, a history lesson in the rise of indie music, a preface to the birth of Oasis and a million other chancers who sought to put misery on the map. Yet by defining the Smiths as a singles band it does them a great disservice.

Their four proper albums are each a separate work of art and really should be in every collection. The fact that none of the members have gone on to match this short but intensely creative period tells much about the creative tension at the core of the band.

Morrissey's descent into ridicule and Marr's career as an occasionally inspired sessioneer seems to be their way of admitting that their best days are over.

But what a legacy to leave behind. Rating: HHHHH for the music, Rating: H for the cynicism.
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  • into "ridicule"? Now what the heck does THAT refer to?
    Anonymous -- Monday June 11 2001, @09:00AM (#12719)
  • It's a shame that a review which started so well descended into ridicule by the end.
    English Martyr -- Monday June 11 2001, @10:25AM (#12731)
    (User #655 Info | http://website.lineone.net/~smilingontim/timstwin.htm)

  • dotmusic review (Score:3, Informative)

    Another review of the record can be found on the dotmusic site:

    http://www.dotmusic.com/reviews/Albums/June2001/re views20267.asp

    Same sort of review, questions the need for the comp, but can't argue with the quality of the record (4 out of 5).

    Matt
    keith_talent -- Monday June 11 2001, @10:36AM (#12732)
    (User #865 Info)
  • It started off as a complimentary review, but completely ruined itself in the end. It's a shame, but I suppose anyone who mentions the Smiths and
    S club 7 in the same article isn't exactly the most intelligent journalist on the face of the planet anyway.
    fame and prostitution,
    haze <[email protected]> -- Monday June 11 2001, @11:05AM (#12734)
    (User #1115 Info)
    myspace.com/deathwrites
  • "Morrissey's descent into ridicule and Marr's career as an occasionally inspired sessioneer seems to be their way of admitting that their best days are over." That's Garbage... I could only say that "this reviewer best days are non-existant" At least this reviewer wants kids to buy all 4 Smiths albums.. I'm so sick of people who ignore Moz solo amamzing portfolio. AFKA Bean
    Anonymous -- Monday June 11 2001, @12:16PM (#12746)
  • I know other people have commented on this but I just had to add my two cents.The reviewer who said Morrissey descended into ridicule during his solo years is not only completely wrong he must also be stupid.I wonder if this reviewer has ever heard these wonderful Morrissey records "The Vauxhall And I "or "Your Arsenal".Songs such as "Seasick Yet Still Docked" and "November Spawned A Monster "and "Now My Heart is Full" are as good and or better as anything Morrissey wrote with The Smiths.I especially think "Seasick Yet Still Docked "is one of Morrissey`s best songs ever and is as equally as beautiful as The Smith`s "I Know It`s Over".And I also think his later albums were vastly underated.So to say he descended into ridicule is completely absurd and also very wrong.Morrissey never gets the credit deserves. Come on Mr. reviewer open your eyes or your ears.I guess some of these reviewer`s can`t see the the good things because yes they are blind.Well As Always Good Day And Thank You,Tibby - How I Love All Of The Very Mozzer Things Of Life....
    tibby -- Monday June 11 2001, @04:36PM (#12775)
    (User #2713 Info)
    ~I am a poor freezingly cold soul so far from where I intended to go ~I love Morrissey
  • Probably the person who wrote that review is not aware of Morrissey's problems about making a deal, because it seems that he is blaming Morrissey for that compilation. Shortly, that person apparently knows nothing at all, and the world is filled with people writing reviews who know nothing at all.
    Havfine -- Tuesday June 12 2001, @02:57AM (#12792)
    (User #284 Info)
    "Have you forgotten how to love yourself?" Red House Painters
  • I think the reviewer is referring to Morrissey's first success (commercially and critically) as a solo artist in England, immediately after the breakup, with Suedehead and Viva Hate. Then the backlash after the Union Jack number and material of questionable quality. His career never completely recovered.
    Rusty Spanner -- Tuesday June 12 2001, @07:20AM (#12798)
    (User #1491 Info)

  • Truest Line (Score:1, Insightful)

    The Line that rings the most true in this whole review is the statement, "I envy you first encounter which this complilation may bring." Yes we all do...The pure joy of hearing Morrissey's voice and Marr's music the first time creates such a state of ectasy. I concur with that statement...yes I do envy
    Anonymous -- Tuesday June 12 2001, @12:10PM (#12823)
  • A reply to anonymous the one who called me stupid.First of all I don`t engage in name calling as Bean said that is functioning at a kindergarten level.Second of all you mentioned the fact that all the songs I named were at least seven years old,I guess you didn`t read carefully enough or you would have read the line where I said Morrissey`s later albums were vastly underrated.And by the way I think that songs such as "Southpaw" and "Trouble Loves Me" and" He Cried "and are good songs as well.And "Lost" is an absolutely beautiful song.And you must be blind to say Morrissey`s best years are behind him he`ll prove you wrong when he releases a new album.Morrissey will prove to all the naysayers that he has beautiful,wonderful new songs for us.And that his best years are ahead of him. How I love All Of The Very Mozzer Things Of Life...
    tibby -- Wednesday June 13 2001, @03:19PM (#12884)
    (User #2713 Info)
    ~I am a poor freezingly cold soul so far from where I intended to go ~I love Morrissey
  • This is to reply to you again anonymous(you know which one you are).So fair enough I did call that reviewer stupid and I don`t apologize for that because saying that Morrissey desended into ridicule after The Smiths was not only wrong it was a stupid thing to say.So I`ve changed my mind again and I did engage in a little namecalling(and probably will a little more before I`m done with this comment) but with good reason.Some people are very easily led because The Smiths were praised by the critics and rightfully so.And so people would say how much they loved them.But when Morrissey went solo the critics were suddenly out to destroy him.and I guess it became fashionable to Morrissey bash.He certainly did not deserve that kind of treatment because his music is wonderful.And as I said before his solo work is as good or better than the work he did with the smiths.I don`t understand why certain people don`t get that.And why we have to hear stupid comments like The Smiths were better than Moz solo which is not true as I said before Morrissey`s solo work was just as good or better than the work he did with The Smiths.And you say that my admiration for Morrissey is indiscriminate.Who asked you anyway?Why do you care how I admire Morrissey?I am a completley devoted,dedicated Moz fan and I am incredibly proud to say that.And I will defend him when people say unfair or untrue things about him.And just in closing YOU "must be such a fool" to say a stupid thing like Morrissey`s best years are behind him he`ll prove you and everybody who agree`s with you wrong.As I said before his best years are ahead of him.- How I Love All Of The Very Mozzer Things Of Life...
    tibby -- Thursday June 14 2001, @07:06PM (#12939)
    (User #2713 Info)
    ~I am a poor freezingly cold soul so far from where I intended to go ~I love Morrissey
  • Well in my opinion that was a bloody good interveiw, well done local newspaper person!
    Anonymous -- Monday June 18 2001, @04:10PM (#13017)

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