In terms of genre, no.
In terms of fashion, no.

Why this? The Smiths only created the ongoing tradition OF tradition, whereby English bands talk about English problems and use a wry sense of humour to convey it's message.

Jackhammer, that's a great description of the Smiths.

Plus if you read any of Morrissey's lyrics you will see that they are very very funny and not miserable in the slightest.

Even something like Heaven Knows I'm Miserable now is dripping in irony & sarcasm.

I'm a fan.

Its true that they were a huge inspiration to many English bands in that way, Belle and Sebastian automatically come to mind, but i'd be wary of saying they were the ONE band to do that*. English bands sang about english problems long before them, not as lyrically skilled as The Smiths, but still.

*Bare in mind i'm an obsessive, it was VERY difficult for me to be that modest about them :D

i finally broke down today.
i had never listened to them before.

aaaaand.
i think i may need to look into them more.
because, asleep is pretty.

robert smith will be so disappointed.

YES, i'm getting you the Queen is Dead somehow or Louder Than Bombs or both.

oh, sick.
haha.

this is how i felt when i broke down and bought a chiodos album.

but, i suppose i'll eventually just not care anymore.
woot.

I love How Soon is Now?

The Smiths
 

I don't know if a thread exists that is dedicated to the greatest band ever(the Smiths) so here is one.

Favorite Smiths album? Mine is Meat is Murder

I used to hate them but now I lovez them.

Weird i tried to start a thread i didn't know exists it didn't show up when i searched it.

Morrissey, greatest singer and lyricist to ever come into the world.

Johnny Marr AMAZING guitar player.

The search is screwed up.

I tired to get my sister into Morrissey........she said it soudned too much like Billy Idol (WTF!) :rolleyes:

One of my favorite bands of all time

Billy Idol:rofl:
Morrissey amazing voice and range to Billy Idol a bad Sid Vicious imatation.:rofl:

I KNOW!

I swear, she was drugged or something at the time:rolleyes:

But I still can't figure out if I like The Smiths better, or Morrissey's solo carrer..............Meat is Murder is an amazing album though, better than Viva Hate

I actually don't really like Morrissey solo. I have Viva Hate but there's only 2tracks i like on the album suedehead and everyday is like a sunday. Idk maybe i just haven't given the album a proper listening. I really want the Smiths first album but i can't find it. Hatful of Hollow was my first intro to the Smiths.

hatful of hollow is a perfect way to get started on the smiths. MY faves are Meat is murder and strangeways(i know, not the normal fav, but its got some of johnny marr's best work on it).

I say Meat is Murder and The Smiths are their best, then they got kind of poppy.

I think many would argue that they were always a pop band anyhow. I personally cannot lump them in with half of the tat that was around at the same time. However they made three minute tracks based around simple riffs and time structures and melody was a key factor so there are two sides to it.

They weren't poppy before?

No not at all. I think Strangeways is their poppiest record. Stop Me if You Think You've Heard This One Before

Yeah but Strangeways comes well after Meat is Murder and their Self-Titled.

Yeah but The Queen is Dead was always the critics favorite for some reason.

You're making no sense, I said they weren't poppy before? As in they weren't poppy on Meat is Murder and Self-Titled because they were. This Charming Man wasn't so popular for no reason and as for the Queen is Dead being the critics favorite its easy to see why. That album is basically a testament to just how cohesive a group of musicians they'd become and Morrissey wrote some of his finest lyrics on it. I consider it the Smiths masterpiece for many reasons, it's perfectly understandable as to why its their best.

The Queen is dead is Morrissey least favorite album he said so himself. Anyway you are starting to confuse me.

And Johnny Marr said it was the best Smiths album he ever did and one of the most creative albums he ever did too. Why am I starting to confuse you?

I don't want to start another musical argument with you. But ME I don't see The Smiths as a pop band I see them as a indie band.

Well I never disputed they were indie band, they were on rough trade but indie is hardly a genre.

Then what do consider Elliott Smith?

Great band! I remember hearing them on "The Wedding Singer".

Singer/Songwriter.

i meant music genere

He was different throughout his whole career so to call him one thing is pretty difficult. I realize you're trying to trick me into saying "indie-folk" or "indie-rock" but I only use those terms because the bands associated it with (i.e. The Shins) sound similar to some of Elliott's work. Indie = Independent record label, always.

I almost had you.

The trick is dig up a post where I use indie to describe something than quote it to me =]

of course!

I think you should give it another listen, for Margaret On The Guillotine is probably one of my favorite tracks of all time, definatly my favorite Morrissey/Smiths song