Thirty years ago today The Smiths released their seminal studio album Strangeways, Here We Come. The band's fourth and final proper studio album was released after the band had broken up, but what a way to go out. Strangeways is a Morrissey/Marr masterpiece.
Indeed The Queen Is Dead most often receives praise by critics and fans for being the Smiths' crown jewel, however it is a colossal mistake to dismiss Strangeways. Like TQID, the rich and insightful final album by the Smiths is another collection of timeless songs, and boasts even stronger songwriting, lyrics, and production than its predecessor.
The brilliance is non-stop on Strangeways - "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me" and "Death Of A Disco Dancer" are incredible album highlights, but those influential songs only scratch the album's surface. Morrissey's prescient and biting commentary never sounded better than on "Paint A Vulgar Picture," not to mention the classics "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" and "I Started Something I Couldn't Finish."
And yet, there are even more timeless treasures! From the haunting opening of "A Rush And A Push And The Land Is Ours" to Moz's forlorn insistence on album closer "I Won't Share You," Strangeways is a flawless non-stop battery of gems.
Strangeways has more than earned its place in music history. Give it some love today.
Happy Birthday, Strangeways!
Published September 28th, 2017