VARIOUS ARTISTS
Radio Ready: Wisconsin Lost Power Pop Hits
1979-1982
REVISIONISTS
THE SMITHS
The Smiths
(Sire)
iTunes "remastering" of The Smiths catalog on the anniversary of their self-titled
debut from February, 1984 is humorous on
two fronts: remastering for online music
vendors only highlights the drawbacks of
mp3 (and .wav) files (compressed and
annoyingly tinny) compared to modern
(post 2008) CD remasters and today's lovingly packaged vinyl reissues. Though we
can't argue the convenience of musical
downloads, the iTunes versions of the
Smiths catalog pales in comparison.
Last month's online revisionist lovefest
recognizing The Smiths debut on it's 30th
anniversary mostly missed it's true historical and musical significance. Surprisingly,
the editors at Rolling Stone placed The
Smiths at #51 (out of 100), beating out classic debuts by Talking Heads, U2, Nine Inch
Nails, Led Zeppelin, and even Metallica.
Yea, right.
It wasn't until the band released it's Bo
Diddley yolked goth grinder "How Soon Is
Now" (in 1985), did the band make headway in the States beyond their college
radio roots.
Anticipation was high for The Smiths
debut album following their '83 U.K. only
single release of "Hand In Glove," a bold
and groundbreaking declaration of man
lov H[