Meat Is Murder

by

The Smiths

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Not widely considered to be the band's best but it does contain their biggest hit, "How Soon Is Now?". MIM contains the perfect mix of Smiths' style songs including both fast and slow, fun and political. I remember back in the 80's when 'Spin Magazine' had "How Soon Is Now?" ranked as the best single of all time. I also remember thinking, "You know, that isn't even one of my favorite Smiths' songs." Actually not even my fave from this album. To me HSIN had great lyrics and a cool sound but was generally not very Smiths-like. The song lacked the rawness and edge of their other material due to its high-gloss production... precisely NOT the point of the band. Still it's a wonderful song with a catchy, highly original melody and Mozz' sharp wit.

I've always been partial to the underappreciated songs from this album. The haunting "Well I Wonder" is dreamy and melancholy declaring "This is the fierce last stand of all I am." "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" is simply brilliant as we watch the knife of past words turn sharply against the protagonist. "What She Said" speeds up the pace but remains downbeat lyrically with its angst and sarcastic humor; Marr delivers an understated but excellent performance. On "I Want the One I Can't Have" the singer laments his inability to hide his emotions or capture the subject of his desire. And in "Nowhere Fast" Morrissey questions whether he has the capacity to experience life or emotionally progress at all (hence the name).

The title track is often clasified as over-the-top and may be many people's least favorite from this collection of songs. I beg to differ. Morrissey is entitled to his opinion on us meateaters and I have no issue with that. He states his case in a dark, poetic manner backed by the cries of cattle and sounding of the screaming knife. Missed in the criticism of this track is MArr's ability to craft an otherwordly guitar melody that is both sad and majestic in a way I've rarely heard. Quite simply, this is the vegetarians' anthem. Actually there was a t-shirt in the 80's with every single lyric printed on it. "The Headmaster Ritual" speaks of systematic cruelty embedded in British schools while "Barbarism Begins at Home" echoes that abusive cruelty in the home.

All in all, this is not the band's best but still merits every bit of 5 stars. In other words, an average Smiths' release.

VINYL BUYERS BEWARE!! The vinyl version DOES NOT include "How Soon is Now?" and is actually the original UK version of the vinyl. I hate to say that I specifically purchased an album for one song, but I am guilty of that, and was really looking forward to jamming this particular song with my friends. Unfortunately the vinyl is missing this single, even though the product description says U.S. version!

So, if you are looking for "How Soon is Now?" on vinyl, try to locate the U.S. version, not the UK.

Otherwise the rest of this album is pretty mediocre, sonics aren't that great and it doesn't really make me want to get up and jump around like most albums should.

Oh well... what's $28? (That was sarcasm).