The Smiths are the ultimate band- official

Oh dear oh dear oh dear, just when I think you are making progress you go and have a relapse!  Just goes to show that even Naim can get it wrong sometimes! 

Lord knows I'm miserable now I have that news.

Or for those wanting that next elusive upgrade "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want"

Morissey might be a plonker but what a great band.

That track absolutely bursts with energy-it has a definite X factor. Feels like they are playing in your front room. It is definitely a track that I have used as a marker of where my system is at after changes.

Smiths fan or not that is a great bit of music, and a great recording. 

Bruce

Hungryhalibut posted:

This year's Connection magazine has arrived. On page 9, the (rather wonderful) Jon Green - the engineer behind the equally wonderful 272 is asked 'what would be your favourite track to play to show off the potential of a Naim system?'  The answer - not some Naim label noodling, not some prog rubbish, but the mighty Smiths, world's best band ever - specifically 'What Difference Does It Make?' from the 1983 John Peel sessions. 

Clearly now that The Smiths are Naim approved, everyone will finally realise that I've been right all along. 

Absolutely agree. 

A fine post indeed.

Jon Green obviously knows his stuff , Paint a Vulgar Picture would be my Smiths track of choice

There are just so many, but 'There is a light that never goes out' is probably my favourite; a majestic song with humour and pathos in perfect balance. 

Would have been one of my favourite instrumental bands without that "singer".

I quite like them with the amp on mute

Robert Smith on Morrissey: "He sings the same song every time he opens his mouth. At least I've got two songs: The Lovecats and Faith".

Actually, love love the Smiths too

Keith

BigH47 posted:

Would have been one of my favourite instrumental bands without that "singer".

+1

KRM posted:

Robert Smith on Morrissey: "He sings the same song every time he opens his mouth. At least I've got two songs: The Lovecats and Faith".

Actually, love love the Smiths too

Keith

 

 

I'm loving the cure too. It was my twisted teen excuse to be me. I even had the Robert Smith hire cut, you know  dyed black and all gelled up. Man what was I thinking......not much

I have just checked on Tidal and found that some Smiths albums are available there, although not the John Peel Sessions. I suppose I might, just might (if I've got absolutely nothing better to do and I'm feeling particularly morose) entertain the idea of investigating one of those albums. I could even play the 'let's see how long I can bear it' game. 

Earlier this week I investigated Dream Theater (sic) and almost got to the end of an album. I wonder if the Smiths would get that far?

I just don't get the morose thing. I find the Smiths incredibly uplifting, and always have. Sweetness, sweetness I was only joking when I said I'd like to smash every tooth in your head: a tad grumpy maybe, but morose, no.

I simply cannot abide prog, which seems incredibly popular among forum members - ELP, Porcupine Tree, can't stand them. But I can appreciate the musicianship and the craft involved, even through the self indulgence. You often get people saying simply, the Smiths are rubbish, the Smiths are morose etc. It's not so. People may not like them and that's fine, but they should only say so after giving them a good hearing, and then be clear why they don't like them.

Anyway, in view you've got to admire an outfit that have forbidden our beloved prime minister from liking them. 

I remember that morrissey was ambivalent about his sexuality and disposition regarding his lyrics, telling Smash Hits that he would rather have a cup of tea than have sex !

Going through the material these days it is obvious that there was a lot of suppressed emotions.  

Yes, but was it true? It was all part of the enigmatic Morrissey persona. At the time, in the early to mid 80's, being a serious Smiths fan was like being part of a family. Us against the unbelievers. We understood, and looked down on those who didn't. Oh, to be young. 

Enigmatic Morrissey persona? He was and is still a ****. Johnny Mars was and is good though.

HH, I think you make a good point above.  You can dislike music very much whilst still recognising that the artists are talented.  I have friends who worship the Smiths - they rave about the music and guitar in the songs and for me to discount that would be wrong.  Likewise I can't abide jazz but that doesn't mean I can't see that there are some very talented musicians playing it.  Live and let live I say, we don't all have the same influences and life experiences so we can't all like the same music.  Of course if we did we would all love Rush but it wouldn't be as much fun then.

I have tried to listen to the Smiths and can't get past his voice.  Is there an accessible album that you would recommend for a non Smiths fan to try?

If a ten ton truck kills the both of us...

Yes, as Nigel says, incredibly uplifting! I heard, but didn't click with the Smiths when their music was played a lot on the radio. I am now playing the Tidal selection (top tracks), but still can't get it. But I'm into the fifth track...

I realise I'm going to have to follow this with Pendercki's 'Threnos for the Victims of Hiroshima' just to cheer myself up. 

It's only music. 

I'd go with Strangeways, Here We Come. The Queen Is Dead is generally accepted as their best, but somehow I find Strangeways their most enjoyable. 

Have a look on You Tube for the Top of the Pops performance of Sandie Shaw singing Hand in Glove. It's the Smiths with Sandie singing in place of Moz. To see her writhing on the stage towards the end is a great moment in music. 

To die by your side, what a heavenly way to die. See - uplifting. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

This year's Connection magazine has arrived. On page 9, the (rather wonderful) Jon Green - the engineer behind the equally wonderful 272 is asked 'what would be your favourite track to play to show off the potential of a Naim system?'  The answer - not some Naim label noodling, not some prog rubbish, but the mighty Smiths, world's best band ever - specifically 'What Difference Does It Make?' from the 1983 John Peel sessions. 

Clearly now that The Smiths are Naim approved, everyone will finally realise that I've been right all along. 

oh, my got.........., all the 99,999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of the people have another opinion....

Hungryhalibut posted:

To die by your side, what a heavenly way to die. See - uplifting. 

Yes, I'm starting to see now, I vaguely remember that uplifting love song, Girlfriend in a Coma too

What a load of crap.

Anyone who knows anything, or in possession of a functioning pair of lugs, knows that the ultimate band is Throbbing Gristle. And that really is official.

Are they New Romantics?