Meat Is Murder (studio album) by The Smiths

This is a great lyrical record with Morrissey penning some of his best lyrics across this release. The writing just feels much more personal and tailored towards issues that he might hold close to him. This makes it easy to connect to in places but can also lead to some stuff you might disagree with but the way he talks about these themes are just brilliant. Musically, this might be the weakest Smiths album that exists. That doesn't mean it is bad as it is still very good instrumentally but it doesn't stand up to their other releases with Marr putting in stronger performances on The Queen Is Dead and Strangeways. Despite this, it is consistent with the quality level it is at and no song is below good making it feel like a cohesive experience. Overall, this isn't my favourite Smith's album but it is still full of great songs and is a must listen for any music fan.

Great as always with The Smiths. This album is the most political and personal for Morrissey, I don't agree with some of his views, but you can't deny how well-written the lyrics here are, especially This Joke Isn't Funny Anymore and Well I Wonder gives you this feeling of depression emphasised by atmosphere created with instruments. The Headmaster Ritual and Barbarism Begins At Home are lyrically great songs about school and I really love how they sound on the second one the bassline is amazing. I Want The One I Can't Have is another masterpiece on this album. The rest is still very strong, even the last track that I'm not a fan of, because I'm not vegan is beutifully written and played.

Great Album. Great Record!

I haven’t really liked The Smiths on previous listens, but I really enjoyed the combination here of Morrisey’s biting lyrics with unusual musical styles (rockabilly, funk, etc.). Helps lighten the dour mood which tends to otherwise dominate Smiths records.

From Jboy56 02/05/2022 09:39

Classic

83.89

Pertenece a los dos discos más flojos de los Smiths, este y Strangeways. Los tengo con casi igual puntaje. En comparación a debut y a The Queen Is Dead, le tengo mucho menos apego a este y a Strangeways. De hecho, hoy por primera vez he escuchado algunas canciones por primera vez como Meat is Murder y Barbarism Begins at Home. Me parece que en una versión del album aparece How Soon is Now? y veré si en un futuro también la incluyo como si le perteneciera a este album, porque eso le subiría el puntaje.

Incredibly consistent album. Some of Morrissey's best (and naturally most dark) lyrics are on this album - That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore shows compassion for people who are depressed, The Headmaster Ritual and Barbarism Begins at Home explores child abuse, the title track although admittedly preachy is also beautifully written. Some highlights lyrically are "Sir please excuse me from gym, I've got this terrible cold coming on, he grabs and devours, he kicks me in the showers" (Headmaster Ritual), "She is famous, she is funny, an engagement ring doesn't mean a thing to a mind consumed by brass and money" (Rusholme Ruffians) but there are so many more.

The only forgettable song is What She Said but that is still a nice track. My highlights are Barbarism Begins at Home, Well I Wonder and The Headmaster Ritual.

From VictorVale 03/25/2021 15:17

As sacadas desse álbum são demais!!

Get a CD with How Soon Is Now and it's hands-down their best album. It feels like the album was always meant to have that track in that exact sequence.

This is the most energetic this band ever got and their most consistently-good songwriting, the title track drags but everything before that is one catchy, memorable hook after the other without any of the fat that makes up a few tracks on Queen Is Dead.

Highs: The Headmaster Ritual, I Want The One I Can't Have, Well I Wonder

From teague 07/15/2020 00:26

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