The 500 - #369 - Louder Than Bombs - The Smiths

I was inspired by a podcast called The 500 hosted by Los Angeles-based comedian Josh Adam Meyers. His goal, and mine, is to explore Rolling Stone Magazine's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. 

Album # 369 

Album Title: Louder Than Bombs

Artist: The Smiths

Genre: Alternative Rock, Indie Pop

Recorded: Various Locations (This is a compilation record)

Released: March, 1987

My age at release: 21, My Guest Blogger, Steve Monaghan, was 17

How familiar was I with it before this week: Not at all

Song I am putting on my Spotify Playlist: Sheila Take A Bow

In radio disc jockey parlance...what we have here is a "Double  Shot! Double Shot!!" (You'll have to imagine my booming, echo-effect-laden DJ vocal affectation.)

For the second consecutive week, I welcome a returning guest blogger to discuss an artist with a second record on the list. 

Last year, November 2020, Steve provided a post on Album #397 -- Massive Attack's 1991 record Blue Lines. 

Blue Lines by Massive Attack 

This time, he shares his insights into Louder Than Bombs, the 1997 record from the British Indie Pop quartet The Smiths. This is the second of four records from The Smiths on The 500. In July, 2019, I wrote about their music -- spoiler -- I am not a fan. In that post, I concluded with the following statement:

"While preparing this (post), I spoke with a friend who is a fan. He informs me that I am failing to appreciating the nuances and genius of this band. He wants to listen to it with me...so, I'll report back when that happens."

Well, Steve is that friend and this post represents our mutual effort to appreciate the band together. Enjoy!

From Steve:

Louder Than Bombs is a double album released in 1987 by The Smiths’ American record label, Sire Records. It was the American counterpart to the British release of The Smiths’ album The World Won’t Listen. Louder Than Bombs is a collection of singles and “B sides” that had not, for the most part, been available in North America, mixed in with a number of tracks from their earlier release, Hatful of Hollow.

The World Won't Listen and Hatful of Hollow Album Covers (UK)

Despite the opinion of some fans, the Smiths were more than just singer Morrissey and, what often seemed to be, a musical/lyrical psychiatry session. They were a four-piece band, with Morrissey fronting, Johnny Marr on guitar, Andy Rourke on bass and Mike Joyce on drums. 

The Smiths (1986) Rourke, Marr, Morrissey & Joyce (l-r) 

This clever trio of musicians behind front-man Morrissey and the collection of songs on Louder Than Bombs provides all sorts of impressive listening options. The record features a range of sounds; the execution of each is a showcase in creativity. Even the casual, or new, listener can experience a great mix of 24 tracks which highlight the sound of this 80s alternative quartet.

I distinctly remember that in the 80s, casual Smiths’ fans were in short supply, polarizing as the band was. The group attracted the rabidly loyal fans, (Me) the critics, (My Mom) and the haters (Marc - who invited me to write this post...and admits to becoming a convert). For some, The Smiths were a caricature of a band. Morrissey’s maudlin lyrics and angst-ridden singing made some (Marc) dismiss the Smiths as “pointless teen-angst for masochistic audiophiles". 

Morrissey performing (1986)

If one were to limit one's exposure to a few quintessential Smiths’ tracks -- Half a Person (which is pure Morrissey) or Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now -- you might be forgiven for agreeing with the stereotype. But, dig deeper, there is so much more here.

From the bouncy Ask or Sheila Take A Bow to the hard-punkish guitar of London, to some hard-to-find gems like Stretch Out and Wait, or You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet Baby, this record, Louder Than Bombs showcases a range of sound not previously available to the North American audience. 

Sure, Morrissey was the face of the band, with his clever lyrics and sad, twisting musical tales. But there are many tracks that highlight The Smiths as a tight, musical band, such as William It Was Really Nothing, or Hand in Glove as tracks that feature Johnny Marr’s engaging jangly guitar-playing style.

Guitarist Johnny Marr (1986)

Somewhat overshadowed by Morrissey, Marr is truly one of the great guitar players of the 80s and 90s, and Louder than Bombs treats the listener to a number of his catchy guitar riffs and charming melodies.

Though Louder than Bombs will probably not be the album many of the die-hard Smiths’ fans would pick as their favourite, it has a generous mix of hits from earlier works and a wide range of tracks to showcase the musical range of this iconic British band.