Meat Is Murder
click the image to get it in cd-cover size
| Release Date: |
February 11, 1985 |
| Label: |
Warner Brothers |
| Rating: |
4.5 |
Description: Singer Morrissey's brittle wit and guitarist Johnny Marr's incisive guitar helped make the Smiths create both an entranced cult following and pop music of the highest order. The U.S. edition of the band's second album includes the bonus single "How Soon Is Now?" and while it's a welcome addition, the rest of the tracks stand ably on their own. The militant vegetarianism is heavy-handed, but the sly humor of "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" and "I Want the One I Can't Have" present proof of the band's scope, as do the anthemic "The Headmaster Ritual" and "Rusholme Ruffians."
--Rob O'Connor
Tracklist of Meat Is Murder
Reviews:
Almost Epic
The Smiths' second proper album, Meat is Murder, is *almost* up there in near perfeciton with The Queen is Dead, and it's so close as to be almost useless to say it isn't. Here, Marr and Morrissey really hit their stride, penning amazing songs that are now thankfully backed up by good production. The Smiths' arguably never had an opening track as immediate and great as The Headmaster Ritual, with its chiming guitars and amazing bass lines (an overlooked facet of The Smiths' sound throughout their career). Nearly every song on here is perfect...the beefed up metallic What She Said, the wry Nowhere Fast, the achingly beautiful That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore, and the haunting closer Meat is Murder (I eat meat and the lyrics are preachy for Morrissey, but the music is great). The US version includes the non-LP single How Soon Is Now, which, along with There is a Light That Never Goes Out and Bigmouth Strikes Again, is among the Smiths' finest moments. As is this album.
One (of many) Great Smiths album... a personal favorite.
The Smiths are extraordinary. Their success, their history, their impact, was phenomenal. "Queen Is Dead" is just as brilliant. In fact, if you like this band, then every cd they made is worth purchasing.
Very Good Album
This CD is amazingly good. It has a great 80s rock song titled How Soon is Now?. This is a song that when played loud will definately bring on the goosebumps. Right from the start it grabs you and makes you feel like you're about to have your senses soothed. And when you hear the lyrics and your heart begins to melt you know the song just took you to a better place. Another one of my favorite songs by The Smiths is Well I Wonder and it just so happens to be here as well. Morrisey has one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard! It's so full of emotion that it tears my heart to pieces. It's intense, boyishly sweet, passionate and so darn heavenly at the same time. Hearing him sing Well I Wonder and There is a Light That Never Goes Out is an experience to behold. I can't thank this band enough for all their nice songs. Had it not been for bands like The Smiths in the 80s I would have gone back to my classic rock and roll bands a lot sooner.
