Im going to try something here for the first time with you guys just to get your open opinions. I am going to do a review on a band that I love and hate. The Smiths. The Smiths. One of those timeless bands that upon first listen elicits a Bipolar experience that is inescapable. Meaning; Depending on the mood you are in when you hear the lyrics,melodies and the textures Of Steven Patrick Morriseys vocals, Johnny Marrs relentless fretwork and the rythms driven by Mike Joyce, Andy Rourke and Craig Gannon one will experience an enhanced virility of whatever mood you would happen to be in. It is impossible to change the mood you are in when the songs played by these guys from Manchester enter your perception. The first song I heard was Shop lifters of the world(unite and take over). The year was 1987. I was in drivers education at fifteen years of age, it was the summer between my freshman and sophomore year. The instructor let us play what ever music we wanted to hear when ever it was our turn to get behind the wheel of the Iroc Z-28 Camaro. On this day assigned to this car was this cool looking chick with a strange haircut and cool clothes plus another rather plump Mexican girl and I. The Mexican girl named Maria, had first go. she played the radio and she kept on switching the stations which was really kind of annoying going back and forth between Pop,Rock and R&B. I was in the back seat with this other girl, her name was Trish. I kept on looking at her as I was intrigued with her. I went to private school where we wore uniforms. So seeing a girl looking so very precocious was immense. I was just a kid who never really was much into sports other than going trail riding on my BMX bike with friends. I struck up a conversation with her. Im Chris. I like your Shoes. Thank God you didnt ask me any questions Is how she responded Oh youre one of those girls,then. One of what girls? One of those girls that doesnt like to be bothered By guys her own age. Oh my God I thought you were going to be annoying So youre easily annoyed then? Did you bring any music to listen to? she asked looking at me with her big green eyes. Probably nothing youd like you dont know me,whatd you bring London calling See I was completely wrong about you Chris, the Clash is one of my all time favorites. So that means Im cool then? No that means I dont hate you. saying those words made a wonky little smile light up her face. What did you bring? I asked adding I hope its not like Cindy Lauper or nothing like that. She asked,Have you ever heard of the Smiths? I said Are they Punk? No but I have a feeling you might like them. Okay then you drive first Then let me listen. I said pulling my walkman out of my vision streetwear back pack. The cassette was Louder than bombs the jacket was of a girl with big eyes holding a cigarette, Shocking for the time. When I pressed play, Shoplifters of the world ,was the first song I heard. It was a familiar sound but unlike anything I had ever heard. Then when The guitar solo rang out I was covered in goose bumps. I looked at her with a Cheshire grin. You were right, These guys arent half bad! Getting back to my review. When I think back to the summer of 1987 and the circumstances that surrounded my initial experience with the Smiths I am elated, giddy with excitement, and jubilantly fond of the band and the sounds they were able to make. I am taken back to a time when I was so hopeful about the future and what it had in store for me. Then on the contrary if I listen to them when Im in a downer type of mood like when Im feeling old and I look in the mirror to see my Bald head where once was a luscious set of devilish locks, I tend to spiral into a dark depression. I have never figured it out and this is the only band that does that to me. Radio Head doesnt do this. Stone Roses doesnt do this. My bloody valentine doesnt do this. I can go on and on, naming band after band but none of them make me Love myself or hate myself in so many different ways. It just boggles my little mind to pieces. For the sake of quality, theres not many bands that can top them for musical genius. Theres not many that can top them for staying power. I play a game with my daughter its called new or old. where I play a random song and ask her if its new or old. every time I play the Smiths she always says New. She is seven years old and listens to a lot of music for a kid of that age. which says something about a band if they can still have a fresh and impressionable sound after nearly thirty years from release. Please rate or hate. Thank you for your time. -Chris- youtu.be/wManX5Ne-Fg
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 10:40:08 +0000
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