After the success of the debut album, there were a lot of songs kicking about from BBC sessions and singles, and a massive appetite for Smiths' product, so Rough Trade released this compilation, just nine months after the band's first album.
I keenly bought it on a trip to London, and played it incessantly over the next few months.
I've no idea when I replaced the vinyl with the CD, and it hasn't been listened to for a while. I've spoken before about how difficult I find The Smiths' back catalogue, given the grotesque fascist-endorsing nationalist, the lead singer seems to have become, and it was a delight to see Johnny Marr a couple of years ago, and enjoy the songs as performed by the half of the duo who seems to have taken all the humanity and decency from the Morrissey/Marr collaboration.
As mentioned, it's a collection of early singles and BBC sessions, so there isn't much that you'd call filler. It opens with four hit singles, William It was Really Nothing, What Difference Does It Make? ,This Charming Man and the magnificent How Soon Is Now?, originally consigned to the B-side of William.
And they still sound great, the singer's dour lyrics overlain by Marr's fine tunes and exquisite guitar playing. Handsome Devil isn't one of my favourites, but Hand In Glove is, even if it's not noticeably different from the debut album version, while Still Ill sees Marr getting his harmonica out to differentiate it from the earlier version.
The second half opens with the lovely single Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now, worth listening for Marr's guitar alone, while This Night Has Opened My Eyes is much more relaxed and an easy listen. I can't claim You've Got Everything Now or Accept Yourself are particular favourites, but it's nice to hear them again and the guitar riff on Girl Afraid is just sublime. Back To The Old House, however is a little dreary and I'm not sure we needed another version of the plodding Reel Around The Fountain, but Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want brings us to a pleasant, gentle conclusion, with Johnny's acoustic and mandolin getting an outing.
With forty years' distance, this is a much more satisfying collection of songs than the debut album, and has far more high points.
4* - an excellent collection of early Smiths' songs, with the impact which the debut album now lacks.
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