Album of the day (#1700): The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths - Music

Jimmy Dread

Old skool like Happy Shopper

Location: 555 Dub Street

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ThrowBackG wrote:

I think the reason this is considered their best album (...) is that the lyrics aren't the bands opinions, but it was how people were at the time.

That's right - because in 1986 we all walked round with thorns in our sides, with melting Walkmans whilst on the way to the Cemetry Gates with Oscar Wilde on our sides. That's assuming of course we weren't run over by a double-decker bus on the way.

Bar the title track (which is just an anti-monarchy tirade shot through with more humour than vitriol, as was Mozza's way) and a couple of references to the period, I don't think there's anything lyrically that makes this LP of a certain era lyric-wise. Like some others I prefer another Smiths LP to this (in my case S/T), but it is still one of the most wonderful records ever made and an important part of my youth. In fact all their studio LPs were ace.

You didn't need to have the 21st century breathing down your neck to appreciate it.
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ThrowBackG

noWaxJim wrote:

That's right - because in 1986 we all walked round with thorns in our sides, with melting Walkmans whilst on the way to the Cemetry Gates with Oscar Wilde on our sides. That's assuming of course we weren't run over by a double-decker bus on the way.

Bar the title track (which is just an anti-monarchy tirade shot through with more humour than vitriol, as was Mozza's way) and a couple of references to the period, I don't think there's anything lyrically that makes this LP of a certain era lyric-wise. Like some others I prefer another Smiths LP to this (in my case S/T), but it is still one of the most wonderful records ever made and an important part of my youth. In fact all their studio LPs were ace.

You didn't need to have the 21st century breathing down your neck to appreciate it.

Also, some of the songs like Frankly, Mr Shankly relate to today. The line "I'd rather be famous, than righteous or holy any day." Works right now. The Boy with a thorn in his side. IPod/IPhone today. I bet if the Smiths were still making music, they would have a song called The Boy/Girl with a Thorn in His/Her Face. Rolling Eyes

SleepDealer

Location: Isca Dumnoniorum

I can appreciate the Smiths on an intellectual level, but not aesthetically. I used to own this but gave it away.

It's a cliche to say that Morrissey's voice is depressing, but one that I would agree with. Their sound does nothing for me.

I grew up in the north of England in the period this was made (on the other side of the Pennines) but still don't connect with it - perhaps because it evokes the dreary tedium of growing up in the north rather than something more interesting/positive?