Rank

Sound DNA

• Alt/Indie
• Indie Rock

• brittle
• yearning
• art school

About

As one of the most important bands of the '80s, The Smiths made music that relied on a delicate balance of the twisted egoisms of vocalist Morrissey and the sublime jangle of guitarist Johnny Marr, all powered by a rhythm section that was far more muscular than the group's pop credentials would suggest. This official live album of the band’s October 1986 performance at London's National Ballroom shows the band almost in hard rock mode, as Morrissey sings nearly breathlessly and the band pumps it up with relentless force. Considering The Smiths' large catalog of worthy tunes–written in a furious four-year rush–it’s inevitable that something is missing for everyone, and the inclusion of Marr’s obscure “The Draize Train” seems odd. However, there’s no denying the epic power of “The Queen Is Dead,” the pure concert-hall glee of “Panic,” the T. Rex swagger of “Is It Really So Strange,” and the feeling of solidarity surrounding Morrissey for “Still Ill.”

via Apple Music

Tracklist

Credits