bupkiss's Full Review: Louder Than Bombs by The Smiths
I admit it: I'm biased when it comes to the British band The Smiths. To me, they are (I guess I should say were, since they have long since broken up) almost perfect in their ability to mingle the upbeat with the melancholic.
What strikes me as funny is when The Smiths' first self-titled album was released in 1984, I was in pre-school. Even funnier, I inadvertently discovered The Smiths through hearing a Love Spit Love cover of one of their most famous songs ("How Soon Is Now?") on a film soundtrack. Shortly thereafter, a local radio station played The Smiths' version, and I have been in love ever since.
Lead singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr have a synergy like no other. With these two leading the way, some of the greatest music of the eighties was created and is still appreciated by younger fans (um, like me!). The combination of Morrissey's lyrics and Marr's guitar is just, well, wow.
And for those of you who think you have heard of/seen Morrissey before but can't quite place who I'm talking about, he had a semi-hit back in 1994 with the song "The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get" from the CD Vauxhall and I (one of his many solo efforts).
Why Buy The Smiths' Louder Than Bombs?
Okay, here is the gist of it: Louder Than Bombs is a 1987 compilation of notable The Smiths' songs. A collection of singles, B-sides, and other assorted tracks, this is a quintessential look at some of The Smiths' best work. Plus, you get your money's worth. The CD contains an amazing 24 (24!) songs.
Songs That Show The Smiths' Best Stuff (My Opinion!)
"Shoplifters of the World Unite"
This anthem-like song is a brilliant Marr composition. Morrissey's commanding vocals add to the lyrics. I like the revolutionary feel of this song. It always makes me think I'm in a Smiths army or cult or something.
Alabaster crashes down
(Six months is a long time)
Tried living in the real world
Instead of a shell
But before I began
I was bored before I even began
"Half a Person"
"Half a Person" is about adolescence, longing, and obsession. It's a very slow, quiet song exploring a disturbing time.
And if you have five seconds to spare
Then I'll tell you the story of my life:
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
That's the story of my life
"Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now"
Oh, the misery. This is Morrissey playing into his "miserable" existence and having fun with it. I think this song epitomizes a lot of Smiths angst in an important self-deprecating manner.
I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour
But heaven knows I'm miserable now
I was looking for a job, and then I found a job
And heaven knows I'm miserable now
In my life
Why do I give valuable time
To people who don't care if I live or die?
"Ask"
"Ask" is a bouncy, poppy tribute to nuclear war of all things. "Ask" is also a classic example of Smiths weirdness: the band loves to mix depressing or odd subject matter with catchy and even uplifting beats.
If it's not love
Then it's the bomb
Then it's the bomb
That will bring us together
"Oscillate Wildly"
"Oscillate Wildly" (I happened to read somewhere the name is a wordplay on Morrissey's idol, Oscar Wilde) is unique in that it's all instrumental. The first time I heard it, I was waiting for Morrissey's haunting voice to appear, and it didn't. "Oscillate" is still an interesting arrangement, and it mixes up the CD selections.
"These Things Take Time"
"These Things Take Time" has some memorable and notably dismal lyrics (in fact, I almost titled this review after a line from this song, but I thought it would be a tad too obscure), and of course The Smiths still take advantage of an opportunity to juxtapose depressing words with upbeat sounds.
But I can't believe that you'd ever care
And this is why you will never care
But these things take time
I know that I'm
The most inept
That ever stepped
"Rubber Ring"
You gotta love Morrissey for his dark humor. This clever song is basically an ode to former fans who lost interest with The Smiths after their hard times were over.
But don't forget the songs
That made you cry
And the songs that saved your life
Yes, you're older now
And you're a clever swine
But they were the only ones who ever stood by you
"Stretch Out and Wait"
"Stretch Out and Wait" seems like a lyrical pickup line. The song wants the listener to ignore their societal and moral censors and just listen to their sexuality. Morrissey's voice is particularly buoyant, and this is yet another great Marr arrangement.
So ignore all the codes of the day
Let your juvenile influences sway
This way and that way (this way)
This way and that way (this way)
God, how sex implores you
To let yourself lose yourself
Missing in Action
For Smiths fans, these missing songs make Louder Than Bombs less than complete:
"That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore"
"The Boy with the Thorn in His Side"
And the most glaringly MIA:
"How Soon Is Now?" (How could they forget "HSIN?" Why? This is criminally vulgar. Oh, the humanity!)
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So, really, if you are already an ardent Smiths fan who possesses all of their original stuff, you don't needLouder Than Bombs. But then again, if you're an ardent Smiths fan, I think you'll want it anyway. *wink*
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