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The Sound Of The Smiths Image
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 51 Ratings

  • Summary: This assortment of singles, B-sides, and live songs from The Smiths was chosen with the help of Morrissey and Johnny Marr.

Top Track

How Soon Is Now?
I am the son and the heir Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar I am the son and heir of nothing in particular Oh, shut your mouth, how can you... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Rarely does an act so flatteringly curate its own brilliance.
  2. 100
    Mancunian greats turn out definitive two-CD hits collection of live recordings, alternative takes and hard-to-find tracks.
  3. 100
    That's a lot of repetition but whether it's taken in either its single-disc or double-disc deluxe editions, The Sound of the Smiths is the best of these posthumous overviews.
  4. Mojo
    80
    Its such an embarrassment of riches it actually seems preposterous that everything here was produced in just four years. [Dec 2008, p.118]
  5. This is no treasure trove, but it works well as a definitive overview.
  6. 80
    If nothing can quite replicate the excitement of hearing these songs for the first time, the first disc of this double-CD set makes a good job of restating the importance of The Smiths as a singles band.
  7. So yadda yadda yadda, a best of isn't as worthwhile as a group's actual albums, what a shocker.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Jun 10, 2015
    10
    One of the best albums of our history. Not only each song has its own original melody but also contains deep romantic and philosophicalOne of the best albums of our history. Not only each song has its own original melody but also contains deep romantic and philosophical messages.I highly recommend this album. Expand
  2. Oct 20, 2013
    10
    Si ya conoceis a los Smiths, poco os tengo que decir. Conocereis sus brillantes composiciones, sus inteligentes letras y sus impresionantesSi ya conoceis a los Smiths, poco os tengo que decir. Conocereis sus brillantes composiciones, sus inteligentes letras y sus impresionantes melodias.
    Si no los conoceis, comprarlo. Entre tanta mediania de la música actual, hacer un hueco a un brillante recopilatorio de temas, que abarcan toda la pequeña historia (en tiempo) de The Smiths. Adentraros con sus primeras y más básicas composiciones, aunque no por ello menos sublimes. Dejaros maravillar, acariciar, perturbar por sus increibles letras, sus guitarras brillantes, y la voz inconfundible de Morrissey.

    Un disco obligatorio, de seguramente, la banda inglesa más importante de todos los tiempos.
    Expand
  3. Mar 27, 2011
    9
    Depending on how many of the proper albums you have, as Pitchfork has said, depends on how much you will welcome the first disc. I counted 12Depending on how many of the proper albums you have, as Pitchfork has said, depends on how much you will welcome the first disc. I counted 12 songs out of the remainder (around 24 songs on Disc 1) that I did NOT have so that was a plus. And in the second disc, I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were another 13 or 14 songs (also about 24 songs) which I did not have, and which were live or b-sides I never heard before after all of these years. There is no need for me to tell you how great the music is -- it's the Smiths! It's a great collection for both newcomers and long-time fans. This was obviously a labor of love for Morrissey and Marr who produced it. And the pics of the band are very generous and great to have. Originally, I didn't buy this item because of the expensive (for me) price, but today I found a used copy for $15.99 so good on me!

    Love you Estephan y Johnny! Mucho love for the Smiths!
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