The Band: Steven Morrissey (Vocals)
Johnny Marr (Guitars)
Andy Rourke (Bass Guitar)
Mike Joyce (Drums)
Released: 1986 (Warner Music)
The Queen Is Dead was the fourth album released by Manchester band, The Smiths, and is believed by many to be the best thing that this incredibly influential band ever recorded. The Smiths have a trademark sound of Jonny Marr's ability to write wonderfully catchy pop songs, while Morrissey sings his typically cynically mournful, but yet humourous lyrics, in a manner that showcases his wit and intelligence. The Smiths remain one of the largest inspirations for many indie bands today.
The songs:
1.
The Queen Is Dead. Opening with what sounds like a raucous song sung in a pub, containing the lyrics "Take me back to dear old Blighty", a driving beat on the toms. This is an epic song, taking in Morrisey's dislike of the royal family, popular culture, and the church. Including such lines as "The Queen is dead, boys", this isn't a million miles from the spirits expressed in punk songs, but the nature of Morrisey's voice, singing with a sense of bitter irony makes you feel his scathing contempt for then British culture. A very good opening song, which includes a long outro, showing that while Morrissey and Marr get all the attention, Andy Rourke can add a good bassline, this gets
5/5.
2.
Frankly, Mr Shankly.A bitter attack on people in the music industry who are in it solely for the money, with Morrisey stating "I want to go down in celluloid history", and labelling Mr Shankly a "flatulent pain in the arse". This is a shorter song, with the band very much taking a second place to Morrisey who adds a parting shot of "Give us your money", making quite plain his feelings.
4.5/5
3.
I Know It's Over. This is a great break up song, with Morrisey writing what is more poetry than a song, about the end of a fictitious relationship. Juxtaposing his own mourning, with thoughts on his lover's future relationship, this is a very mournful track, completely lacking in some of the usual irony. The final repetition of "I feel the soil falling over my head", can't help but conjure the feeling of helplessness and apathy that comes at the end of a relationship. A masterpiece, and therefore
5/5.
4.
Never Had No-One Ever. This is the first real let up in the album, where the song is not of outstanding quality. Again, this is about confusion, with the lyric "I had a really bad dream, it lasted for 20 years" hinting at this, before the song turns into a mournful ode to loneliness. This seems to be almost containing left over emotion from
I Know It's Over, but this gets
4/5.
5.
Cemetry Gates. A return to less mournful songs, with the intro sounding very happy and perky. Morrisey refers to writers such as Keats and Wilde in here, warning not to claim their work as your own, otherwise someone will trip you up and laugh. In other words, he's back with some delightfully bitter humour directed at people who are seeking to embarass others constantly. This is a great example of Marr creating a marvellous pop song, out of Morrissey's lyrical genius, with some breezy guitar work.
4.5/5
6.
Bigmouth Strikes Again. Another very good pop hook by Marr, combines with Morrissey saying "I was only joking when I said by rights you should be bludgeoned in your bed." This is a faster song, with Morrissey assisted with some cloying background vocals that give this track a somewhat bizzarre air.
4/5
7.
The Boy With The Thorn In His Side. With the bass and guitars ducking in and out of Morrissey's singing, in particular with Marr's guitar trilling in the background, this is another very well put together song about a relationship that Morrissey sees as doomed before his wailing of "Oh" repeatedly at the end signals that he is doubtful as well. Nothing special, but another good song.
4/5
8.
Vicar In A Tutu. This is another song, powered by a drum beat, with Morrissey's voice really coming into the mix prominently. The lyrics are very bizzare, as the title suggests, with Morrissey again mocking the church, with some typical cynical lyrics. The vocals sound a bit to me as if they are almost being improvised. Not in a bad way, but this song's probably not quite as polished as the others, before a very sudden ending. One of the most quirky songs here, this gets
4.5/5
9.
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out. A brilliantly dark love song, with Morrissey pleading to be taken out but never to go home. He even goes so far as to say that being killed in a car crash with his love would be a privelige, suggesting some of his trademark irony, but it somehow feels like he is being sincere. This is a great example of where The Smiths really go beyond other indie bands talking about love, which means that this song gets
5/5.
10.
Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others. I guess this is what passes for a Smiths comedy song, with Morrissey singing repeatedly about "some girls" being "bigger than others". It's a very curious end to the album, but if anything it shows the musical skills of the band, and the power of Morrissey's voice that it still sounds meaningful, when it is in fact, anything but. This gets
5/5 because in spite of it's "different" content, I think it's still a great song, that showcases the band's talents very well.
If you are at all familiar with the music of The Smiths, you will know that Morrissey's lyrics are part of the same group as those of the likes of Thom Yorke and Roger Waters; looking at everyday life with often cynical humor, creating music that many people consider depressing. As with the bands that those 2 men front, The Smiths have their very own guitar maestro in Jonny Marr, who, while not technically brilliant, really can write a killer pop song, that goes brilliantly with Morrissey's lyrics. Often underrated is thr rhythm section of the band, which provides a very good base for all the songs. Overall, I consider this album to be a classic of the genre, and one that, even if you have never heard The Smiths, but like Indie music, is an absolute must to check out. Final rating:
4.8/5.
