Celebration of 30 years of The Smiths' debut

Nothing I ever write can express my love for the four seemingly normal boys from Manchester. The meeting of 22 year old Steven Patrick Morrissey and 18 year old Johnny Marr at Kings Road, Stretford in the May of '82 is one of the most iconic encounters in rock history. Releasing their self titled debut 20th February 1984, it only seems fair to celebrate the 30th birthday of what has to be one of the best Smiths albums.

Their similar tastes and ultimately, their influences, were so similar it would've seemed impossible for the two to not be so in sync. Marr has given respect to his mum for allowing him to "Analyse music properly. See how it worked" in a 2009 interview with him here. Morrissey's love for artists such as The New York Dolls, Patti Smith, The Velvet Underground and Iggy and The Stooges contrasted perfectly with Marr's love for the likes of T.Rex, Bowie and The rolling Stones, meaning they were a pretty perfect pairing, each of them being brought up on a selective diet of 60's singles.

Johnny brought in bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce, and the four-piece unit is assembled. In Morrissey's "Autobiography" he talks of their long touring stint, when "a Smiths coterie forms in every British city" - a far cry from the come-and-go synth-pop of the decade.

Signing to Rough trade, they released three oh-so famous singles - "Hand In Glove" "This Charming Man" and "What Difference Does It Make?". Many consider that their performance of the latter two tracks on Top Of The Pops in November of 1983 helped them rise to the glory they rode on for most of the 80's, as it gave bored teenagers everywhere something to be inspired by everywhere; in a rather similar fashion to Bowie's performance of "Starman" in 1972 on the same programme, where other bored teenagers thought "Bloody hell. he's good." Only this time, 'The Smiths' would be the buzz word for not only that decade, but for the future generations to lap up.

I often think of a world without The Smiths, and my instant reaction is "Oh god no." While I find it near impossible to deliver a distinct reason as to why living without their constant comfort in the form of 4 beautiful albums and the unforgettable "Hatful Of Hollow" which by rights should be classified as an album of its accord - a total entity of well crafted production, powerful vocals and enough emotion to make anyone feel as though they've got at least 4 Manchester lads on their side. Arguably, a love of The Smiths has to be earned, with their total wealth of lyrical and sonic material, often hidden with initially, quite lighthearted imagery, (tracks like "This Charming Man" and "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle" must be noted here). It seems easy to pick up a best of album and utter in a wholly non-committal fashion "I quite like them", but delve deeper into the twinkling rhythm section, glorious guitars and of course, the brooding lyrics, and you are effectively hooked for life on the eternally flowering world of Smithdom.

Their debut closer "Suffer Little Children" is one that shows Morrissey's pure vocal power and his unadulterated skill at harnessing someone's emotion and making everyone with a brain larger than that of a fly to feel some form of psychological torment, with his capacity to suddenly change tone and emotionally and make it sound unbelievably ethereal. Personally, my favourite track from this album has to be "Hand In Glove". Oooooh mama, as soon as that grand sprinkling of harmonica begins, my legs turn to jelly and my brain becomes a load of romantic mush. For all those that say The Smiths are an entirely unromantic, depressive 'movement' well... bugger off, I don't care for people like you. Personally, Hand In Glove is an ode to not just the people you love, but the emotion of love itself; how every little thing someone can do consumes all your time and desire and basically your body as a 'thing-that-feels-stuff'.

What strikes me as downright fascinating about this album is it's ability to change tone very quickly, while keeping a sense of seamlessness throughout all of the tracks. Most notably, third-on-the-album track "Miserable Lie" begins very slowly with a meandering quality, with a seemingly limited amount of space to move anywhere else, but BOY does it move, without sounding in any way messy, through the use of snarling guitars and increasingly strengthening vocals that build and build. Also, how could I forget about "Pretty Girls Make Graves". The music takes on a steady feel while Morrissey's vocals build to the background of Mike and Andy's rhythm section, both merging perfectly to create a perfectly formed track.

Fellow Smiths fans will hopefully all wear some form of memorabilia on the day of the 30th anniversary, as a sign of the immutable bond between all those who sit in their bedrooms and devote their lives to these four lads from Manchester. These four lads who managed to sum up a veritable catalogue of emotions and events in such a beautiful way that it seems nearby impossible to ever forget the first moment you heard them. For me, the first Smiths song I genuinely became infatuated with was "This Charming Man". I am under the view that up until this point in my life, I had never experienced something that sounded so magical but at the same time felt very real. I quickly developed a fixation on all of their work, lives and of course, their tragic demise in '87 (*sigh*). To sound incredibly cliché, The Smiths have got me through much of my teenage years, yes. They marked some of my favourite ever moments and of course, the unalloyed crap-ness of the other 70%.

Fellow FIBLAR writer Molly also speaks fondly of the first album...

"I got The Smiths' debut on vinyl for Christmas last year from my brother, despite the shameful fact that as far as I know, I'm the only one in my family who likes them. Although it's not my favourite Smiths album, and Morrissey himself doesn't like the way it was produced, it is most certainly a piece of art in the form of a beautifully crafted record, and the success born from it was completely deserved. Happy 30th."

Admittedly, the production wasn't as crisp as their subsequent albums; the likes of "The Queen Is Dead" became so famous and well loved for that reason. However, the wondrous thing about Smithdom is that all of their albums stir up such a multitude of sensations in the listeners mind that it is more or less impossible to choose a favourite album. Nonetheless, "The Smiths" will always be one of my favourites, because it's them as a strong unit, showcasing some of their most coveted songs and overall, has such a beautiful raw sound aided by the sprinkling guitars and Morrissey's syrupy vocals that deems it virtually other-worldly.

Long live The Smiths. Happy 30th anniversary to one of the most beautiful albums of all time.

"Stay Handsome Forever"
Paige x x x
PS. The good life is out there somewhere so stay on my arm you little charmer
 

Februrary playlist

Ah February, you old swine. As much as I have a limited quantity of violent feelings towards this time of year, it always feels as though it is a rather confused month. Everyone seems to recognise January as being the worst month of the 12, despite the fact that some nice things actually happen (my dad's birthday, for example). Because February often feels neither here nor there, I am personally left feeling quite melancholic, for several reasons - first of all it is still freezing cold, furthermore, it is still spine-breakingly freezing cold (I rest my slightly frozen metaphorical case). Therefore, in my frankly "mmmm lists" centred brain, I have taken it upon myself to create a playlist in order to make you feel like you could take on the world (or even go outside for the first time all weekend!) Also, seeing as Andrew VanWyngarden's birthday was yesterday (frontman of MGMT, all round good-egg) there will be a few tracks of theirs rightfully featured.

> Brian Eno // MGMT
It wouldn't be a Sunday playlist without this gem of psychedelic wonder. An ode to the synth master himself, it's quirky and energetic, with a strong beat and the odd twinkling synth to keep your desire for beautiful melodies satisfied for approx 4 minutes 32 seconds (NB: Times depend on the frequency of you replaying the last minute)

> Colours To Life // Temples
Another suitably uplifting and trippy wonder from Kettering golden boys, this track contains enough lo-fi whirring noises and spaced-out moments of glittering guitars that should at least guarantee you'll get out of bed on a Monday morning...

> Get off Of My Cloud // The Rolling Stones
"HEY HEY YOU YOU GET OFF OF MY CLOUD!" enough said.

> Best friend // The Drums
Admittedly, this isn't the most gladdening of songs for a supposedly 'cheery' playlist. Complete with tale of lost friends and a moping Johnny Pierce in full brooding mode, it seems unlikely that it would enliven even the most optimistic soul. However, the music behind the dark lyrics is quite the opposite; a jangly rhythm that pushes the song along with the aid of an angular bass line that somehow makes the emotional wreck that is my mind-set  experience a temporary window of happiness.

> Morning Crumble // Holidays
Gently whirling guitars and a strong bass line with softly delivered lyrics makes you feel like you're on 'holiday' (wow appropriate) and engaging in some romance not to dissimilar to those badly acted out in rom coms. A clear winner for making you want to get up and "do stuff" (#lifelessons).

> Kooks // David Bowie
Reportedly written for his son, 'Kooks' for me, is essentially an ode to childhood belonging and feeling like your parents could do anything and everything for you, until the crushing moment when you realise that they're only human, and they can't hit your ex-boyfriend in the face for you. The score has just the right tempo for a bit of head-bobbing-and-old-man-foot-tapping to occur. "IF YOU STAY WITH US YOU'RE GONNA BE PRETTY KOOKY TOO."

> Your Life Is A Lie // MGMT
It would initially seem that this song is telling you that everything in your life is done with utter distaste, but on closer inspection, it feels like an ode to getting out of a boring life. It's a bit of a self esteem booster, as though you're being told to leave your boring house in a boring street and go and do something half interesting. Deal with it, folks.

> Can't Buy Me Love // The Beatles
What could a supposedly 'happy' playlist be without the 1964 classic?

> Dreamin // Mac DeMarco
Cymbals have managed to make this song so very 60's it seems like the 60's couldn't have created this track. Although it's slow and wandering qualities give it a feeling of desolation at times, it has enough contrasting moments of light to make you feel like a hip New Yorker when you walk around school.

> Ask // The smiths
"SHYNESS CAN STOP YOU FROM DOING ALL THE THINGS IN LIFE YOU'D LIKE TO" Anything I write about this would ruin it for myself and everyone else, it is simply too pretty for human words.

> Surf Bitches // Best Friends
"I WANNA BUILD A PEPPERMINT ISLAND" Lo-Fi vocals and guitar riffs are delivered in the style of FIDLAR, while a stronger driving force behind the music to give it a pacier feel remains. A New favourite.

I hope that some of these songs will help you face February and beyond. What are your favourite tracks for this time of year?

Lots of love, Paige x x x

"Don't forget the songs that made you cry"

Anyone who has known me for approximately 2 minutes will have gathered that I am a hopeless romantic in one of the worst ways. Therefore, the notion of never discovering an artist that you hold so deeply in every cell of your heart, is an utterly tragic story that brings a tear to my eye. This might sound another very basic (if you're thinking this - well done - you have discovered how fundamentally basic my brain is; gold star) but stay with me...

I can remember the exact moments I first heard my favourite songs. Admittedly, I wouldn't fall in love with the entire song at first, but there was a definite spark. A certain chord or the way the music moved very suddenly and unexpectedly would simply blow me away. A named example of this would be This Charming Man by The Smiths. The introductory sparkle to a band who would become my rock. A tale of such a beautiful boy in a spot of bother, with Morrissey guiding along an ambiguous understanding as he projected, slurred and groaned about how gruesome it was that "someone so handsome should care". I was fascinated and I was hooked for life. 

Although it seems simple to say that if you'd never heard that song you would be unaware of it so you would also be unaware of the effect it would've had. However, just imagine the effect of an artist on you being taken away. Those times you have "lay in awe on your bedroom floor" never happened. That song never soundtracked your relationship and eventual tragic break up. That song never comforted you when no one else stood by you. So just think of it not existing!?

Despite the fact it seems I have taken this topic slightly to far, it is scary to think how different you would be if you hadn't found your favourite artist. Personally, the music you like directly effects your opinions on particular issues, the clothes you wear, even the way you talk and do your hair and who you hang around with, but because it seems that these songs have always been there with you, you have never noticed a difference or change apart from the first ground-breaking moment you heard it.

To try and sum up this potentially rambling post (I'll let you be the judge of that) never forget the songs that saved your life (concluding pun - complete).

Happy Sunday, Paige x x x

Ultimate make out songs

(this photo is cute + romantic and it's from someone's twitter)

Everyone has (or has had) (or is going to have) that someone who they think about constantly, who is never out of your mind, who makes your heart tingle whenever you think of them. It happens. You also can't go thinking about someone without thinking what it's like to make out with them. And even if you are a One Direction fan, you don't want to be making out with someone whilst 'Best Song Ever' echoes in the background, so make out songs are very important. To everyone.

Blush // Wolf Alice

Taken from Wolf Alice's latest EP, this song starts softly and makes you believe that it will stay this way. In the soft moments of the song, you can imagine everything around you being silent and you can only see that one person. You walk towards them slowly but as soon as the heavy drums come in, you race to them and the rest....well that's for you to decide.

She Changes the Weather // Swim Deep 

Seeing this song live was stunning as everyone stood still for the introduction, just waiting for that moment. Even to a non-Swim Deep fan, this song would sound utterly beautiful. The intro is an echo of Austin William's voice accompanied by a soft piano and guitar. Then the repetitive (but lovely) piano part comes in, complete with sounds of Swim Deep talking in the background. This song reminds me of someone chasing the person that they love and not giving up (as cheesy as it sounds). Like the first song, it seems like a song where you ignore everything around you and your mind is just focused on that one person. I think the video says just that and as a whole, it's very moving. 

There Is A Light That Never Goes Out // The Smiths

Every fan of The Smiths adores this song and I am sure it is very familiar to non-fans too. Just by listening to the lyrics, you know that it is a love song. "To die by your side, well the pleasure, the privilege is mine". Morrissey sings about doing anything for your loved one. Morrissey was (and still is) obviously a very poetic man but deciphering his lyrics is not hard. You can also dance away to this song which makes everything better. 

Warpaint // Baby

A lovely soft, calm song from Warpaint. You can imagine slow dancing to this after a wedding or sitting in the garden after a big party whilst feeling sorry for yourself. To me, this song is also about being maybe too protective of someone. "Don't you call anybody else baby" could have various meanings but I think we should stick to the romantic side of it.

Baby Blue // King Krule

All King Krule songs are absolutely beautiful and could all potentially be wonderful make out songs. Baby Blue is so slow and sweet and I would love to be listening to it whilst sitting under a tree, watching the sun (oh summer I miss you) and just thinking about people and love etc.

Teenage Riot // Sonic Youth

Undoubtedly one of my favourite Sonic Youth songs. This is definitely a song you have to dance to and it's up to you when you decide to stop dancing and make out with that someone. It would preferably be great if you and that someone were both teenagers but it really doesn't effect how great the song is.

My Kind of Woman // Mac Demarco

Mac Demarco makes me feel very lovey dovey and all over the place sometimes. He's a very silly but romantic person. I've walked during a beautiful orange sunset whilst listening to this song and it was such a wonderful experience. This song doesn't have the best rhythm to walk to but you can fool around and dance about instead. 

This is the Last Time // The National

This song was actually only introduced to me a week ago by one of my closest friends and I have absolutely fallen in love with it. The song title itself seems very romantic, but also very tragic, as if someone has had enough. The lyrics "I won't be vacant anymore" also justifies the unwanted feelings in the song.

Youth // Daughter

This is the single version of Youth which I prefer massively compared to the album version. Everyone fell in love with this song when they first heard it. The lyrics put across a sense of braveness but also sadness. "Setting fire to our insides for fun" sounds like something you would write on a protest banner but also something you would write on a goodbye letter. You can choose which way to interpret it. 

"The key to a kiss is a good song"

(Quote by me)

Amy x

             

The 10 Best Album Artworks

The 10 best album artworks (in my opinion)

10) The Velvet Underground & Nico (by The Velvet Underground and Nico) The debut album, released in march 1967, with the iconic Warhol banana on the cover is loved by many people and is memorable for everybody. It has appeared in the Rolling Stone Magazine list at number 13 out of 500. It features the songs 'All Tomorrows Parties' and 'Sunday Morning' and other great songs.




9) Goo (Sonic Youth) The sixth studio album by Sonic Youth released in June 1990, is an illustration of two witnesses of the Moors Murders driving. It is known for the hit 'Kool Thing', 'Dissapearer' and dirty boots. A song I would recommend to check out off this album would be 'Dissappearer'.







8) London Calling (The Clash) The third album released by The Clash in December 1979. The artwork is a picture of bassist Paul Simonon smashing his bass guitar against the side of the stage at the Palladium in NY after a live performance. The album contains the songs 'London Calling', 'Clampdown' and 'Train In Vain'. My favourite is 'Lost in the Supermarket' because it's the slowest song.





7) The Smiths (The Smiths) The debut album was released in February 1984, has a picture of  American actor Joe Dallesandro's torso- a still from the film Flesh by Andy Warhol. In my opinion, this is the best album by The smiths and it reached no. 2 on the UK album chart in 1984. It contains the songs 'Reel Around The Fountain', 'Pretty Girls Make Graves', 'Hand in Glove' and 'What Difference Does it Make'.






6) Led Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin) The debut album was released in january 1969. The artwork is an image of the burning hindenburg airship. It is quite an iconic picture and most people would be able to name the album. It contains the song 'Good Times Bad Times / Communication Breakdown, which was also released as a single. My personal favourite off the album is 'Dazed and Confused'

5) News Of The World (Queen) Queen's sixth album, it was released in October 1977 and contained the hits 'We Will Rock You', 'We Are the Champions' and 'Spread Your Wings'. The image used for the artwork is a giant robot holding the dead bodies of the band drawn by sci-fi artist Frank Kelly Freas. The album went 2x platinum in the uk. 'It's late' is also a personal favourite from this album, which was also released as a single.




4)  The Rise and Fall Of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (David Bowie) The album artwork for this album is Bowie stepping out of a nightclub as his alter ego 'ziggy stardust' who could communicate as a messenger for aliens. It was released in June 1972, reaching number 5 in the british album charts. The songs 'Stardust', 'Rock n Roll Suicide' and 'Suffragette City' are the most notable on the album.




3) Abbey Road (The Beatles) The album was released in september 1969. The artwork is the iconic picture of the beatles crossing Abbey Road on the 8th of August 1969 and has neither a name nor title on the sleeve. Thealbum contains the memorable songs 'Yellow Submarine' and 'Let It Be', a personal favourite is 'Come Together' (how typical of me.)







2) Dark Side of the Moon (Pink Floyd)
The Dark Side of the Moon is the eighth studio album, released in March 1973. The artwork is a spectrum of light passing through a prism and is designed by Hipgnosis, some people say the artwork reflects Syd Barrett's mental state. The album contains the songs 'Money' and 'Time / Us and Them' with my favourite being Breathe, which is slow paced and lush.




1) Nevermind (Nirvana) Nevermind was released in September 1991. The artwork is a baby boy, alone underwater with a US dollar bill on a fish-hook just out of his reach. The idea was conceived when Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl watched a documentary about water births. The album includes the songs 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', 'Lithium' and 'Come as You Are', with my favourite being 'In Bloom'. 


Thanks for reading- Lydia (@itslydiahall)