The Smiths - The Sound Of The Smiths

Insert Moz lyric about the ruthless music industry here

Rhino have chosen to launch a new format (basically one or two CDs) with a very weighty band, cheapening the b(r)and and the very concept of back catalogue at the same time. Ten replica 7”s of Smiths singles 1983-86 will also be released across November and December, further compounding things.

Lest we not forget there are already a trillion Smiths best ofs on the counters, not to mention online availability. Getting everything they’ve recorded does not even command a king’s ransom, so incentives such as a cover of James’ What’s The World, or the Troy Tate version of Pretty Girls Make Graves takes the shine off this set for people who read a magazine such as this.

Also, somewhat laughably, this is defined as a Morrissey/ Marr project, as the former came up with the title (eh?) and the latter helped with remastering. Well, OK, this is certainly better than 2001’s The Very Best Of, but Best Vols 1 and 2 and, of course, Louder Than Bombs, should be all you need. Sure, the credit crunch is biting the backsides of the majors savagely, but if the music on these two discs wasn’t so goddam good, this would be a one star review. Cease and desist.

3 stars 3 stars 3 stars

Rhino | tbc

Reviewed by Jake Kennedy
<< Back to Issue 357

Login Here

Free Newsletter


Subscribe to
our email newsletter by emailing:

anna.bowen@
metropolis.co.uk