Smiths : Smiths

Full title is: Smiths

Length: 45:22

  Andy Rourke - Bass
  Andy Rourke - Guitar (Bass)
  Annalisa Jablonska - Vocals (Background)
  Annalisa Jablonska - Vocals
  Johnny Marr - Guitar
  Johnny Marr - Harmonica
  Mike Joyce - Drums
  Morrissey - Vocals
  Paul Carrack - Organ
  Paul Carrack - Piano

Arriving in an era dominated by synth pop and gloomy post-punk, the Smiths' eponymous debut was the bracing beginning of a new era. On the surface, the Smiths' sound wasn't radically different from traditional British guitar pop -- Johnny Marr's ringing, layered guitars were catchy and melodic -- but it was actually an astonishing subversion of the form, turning the structure inside out. Very few of the songs followed conventional verse-chorus structure, yet they were quite melodic within their own right. Marr's inventive songwriting was made all the more original and innovative by Morrissey's crooning and lyrics. Writing about unconventional topics, from homosexuality ( 'Hand in Glove' ) to child molestation and murder, Morrissey had a distinctively ironic, witty, and literate viewpoint whose strangeness was accentuated by his off-kilter voice, which would move from a croon to a yelp in a matter of seconds. While the production of The Smiths is a little pristine, the songs are vital and alive, developing a new, unique voice within pop music. Though the Smiths continued to improve over the course of their career, their debut remains startling and exciting. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide