The Queen Is Dead [Deluxe Edition)
by The Smiths
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 117 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 102 out of 117
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 117
  3. Negative: 11 out of 117
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  1. Ricko
    Oct 26, 2017
    9
    The Smiths peak as far as I'm concerned. The band are at their tightest here. The rhythm section are integrated better than anywhere else in the bands catalogue, Marr's guitars are splashed about delicately at times and swirl about at others and Moz has never sounded better than on "The Queen is Dead". This record provided the template for so many records that came after and even today,The Smiths peak as far as I'm concerned. The band are at their tightest here. The rhythm section are integrated better than anywhere else in the bands catalogue, Marr's guitars are splashed about delicately at times and swirl about at others and Moz has never sounded better than on "The Queen is Dead". This record provided the template for so many records that came after and even today, over 30 years later you'll hear its influence on any indie guitar records being released. The highlights are "I Know Its Over" and "There is a light that never goes out", songs that any band would sell their souls to have in their back catalog. Pieces of genius. The album doesn't have enough 10/10 songs to be perfect but comes pretty close and is a strong 9. A must listen to record.… Expand
  2. Prosmooth
    Oct 24, 2017
    10
    Morrissey and Marr both say that Strangeways is The Smiths' masterpiece. Wrong. It's a great album, but this is the one where they reached perfection. This is around the 10th time I've bought this record.
  3. crh999
    Oct 25, 2017
    10
    The Smiths...Melt...So much love for this band so glad to see the album remastered...If youre a 80s and 90 new wave neon lover this is for you...stop me stop me oh stop me..stop me if you think that youve heard this one before...
  4. JLuis_001
    Jan 11, 2018
    9
    I have never been a great admirer of The Smiths, but without a doubt this album has always been among my favorites, after all it is a classic and maybe it's their best album. This re-launch does not enlarge the legacy but it's worth it for the extras.
  5. jiosongs
    Jan 7, 2018
    9
    https://jiosongs.com - The Queen Is Dead sounds every bit as ineffably marvelous now as it must have in 1986, and this reissue is as good an excuse as any to let it charm us all over again.
  6. musicreviews7
    Dec 15, 2019
    10
    A unique album, which I think can't be even close to copied ever again. It's nothing that hasn't been said before but the chemistry between Morrissey's voice and Johnny Marr's guitar is unbelievably good.
  7. luca_czz
    Dec 30, 2020
    10
    Perfect album. This is exactly what post-punk suppose meaning. Better The Smiths’ remaster.
  8. All_ButTrU4
    Sep 9, 2022
    7
    A beautiful record which title never felt more relevant than today on the day of the queen's passing. This seminal record is the smith's at their best ,firing on all cylinders they pull off successive indie classics . Morrissey's fatalistic pessimism makes for great writing such as on the standout lethal love song "there is a light that never goes out" or the hopeless drama of "i know it'sA beautiful record which title never felt more relevant than today on the day of the queen's passing. This seminal record is the smith's at their best ,firing on all cylinders they pull off successive indie classics . Morrissey's fatalistic pessimism makes for great writing such as on the standout lethal love song "there is a light that never goes out" or the hopeless drama of "i know it's over" which wallows in the aftermath of a dissolution. His infamous vocal disdain for the monarchy which not only comprised the album's title but opened it too with a scathing jab at the entire institution.
    That's essentially what powers this album,self depreciation, misanthropy and wit. It's charming and the most consistent the smith's had ever been.
    With that and said i never really had a connection to this album besides the songs i mentioned and found the production to be quite one note as is Morrissey's deep voice. Those limitations are jarring in an unfortunate amount of instances. This post punk might be a masterpiece in terms of it's influence and "ambition " but to me it lands with a sigh rather than a bang    … Expand
  9. rojeyoon
    Sep 10, 2022
    10
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  10. Mldrmm
    Feb 4, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This album is extremely compeling. It has a familiar and comforting sound to it that makes it accessible to its listeners.… Expand
  11. frightopia
    Jan 5, 2023
    10
    One of the most beautiful albums I have ever listened too, definitely a must listen!

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
99

Universal acclaim - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Under The Radar
    Nov 3, 2017
    100
    There's not much left to say about The Queen is Dead, arguably the high point of The Smiths' formidable catalog, that hasn't been written before. Nevertheless, the notable thing about this reissue is the previously unreleased material on the bonus discs, which is enough to entice the interest of long-time fans who thought they'd heard everything there is to hear.
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  2. PopMatters
    Oct 27, 2017
    100
    In their short time together and in their subsequent careers as solo artists, Morrissey and Marr have yet to equal or surpass what they accomplished here. This one belongs to the ages.
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  3. Pitchfork
    Oct 23, 2017
    100
    Morrissey’s words and delivery were never more deftly idiosyncratic or grandly moving; Johnny Marr’s guitar overflows with sparkling melody while his arrangements sustain a balance between spareness and intricacy. Rhythm section Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce supply foundation and frolic, proving once again how indispensable they were to the group’s magic. ... The demos contain differences that will interest the diehards.
    Read full review
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