BBC Sessions Rock! (Also:other gems)

Definitely a worthy Smiths record...the BBC session really capture the essence of the full band like other reviewers have said. Andy and Mike really are shown on the BBC recordings instead of being drowned out like on the studio records. The sound of the songs from the first record are even better than they were on "the Smiths" because of the "raw" sound without the production of the studio albums. I'm tempted to buy "Rank" cause of it.



I won't say not to buy the first album although...most of the songs from S/T appear on here with better versions. I was just blown away by the new sound though. I thought it was a good feeling.



My only complaint is the repeated appearances of "Heaven Knows", "Girl Afriad", "Tonight",etc. These already appeared on Louder Than Bombs. These is songs are really awesome though. But the big redeemers are the two songs..."Handsome Devil" which is a complete rocker and the amazing and under-rated "Accept Yourself". These two tracks alone are almost worth the price of the CD.

Phenomenal Record

While this was the second record released by The Smiths, it wasn't a proper album, rather a collection of BBC sessions and singles. That being said, it's fantastic and certainly better than their first album. The singles are great, as was always the case with The Smiths: How Soon Is Now, Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now, Girl Afraid, Hand in Glove. But the BBC sessions offer a different sound for much of the material that was written and recorded around the time of their first album. Most of these versions are superior to the studio counterparts, especially Accept Yourself, This Night Has Opened My Eyes, Handsome Devil, and What Different Does it Make?. Essential Smiths for any fan.