AOTW: Louder Than Bombs

save your life, cause you’ve only got one.

manchester-born band the smiths are considered one of, if not the most influential members of the indie music scene coming out of britain. consisting of four members: morrissey (drums), andy ruorke (bass), johnny marr (guitar) and mike joyce (drums), the group's short, five year run left an impact that is still felt to this day. 

Their album "louder than bombs," released in 1987, was a compilation album that contained many singles, b-sides, bbc radio sessions, and more. some of the smiths' best work came from non album singles, yet this collection served as a perfect encapsulation of the band's musical range, and their ability to produce upbeat pop, to a soulful lament, to somber ballads. 

the smiths' sound was defined by the guitar melodies marr excelled at making feel intricate, jangly even. his work was not complete without the lyrics morrissy used that touched on many themes, some deep and dark, while sometimes more personal, like themes of love and romance.

though this release marked the end of the band's run shortly after, it went gold in the united states, and gained a cult following in the west, as they still chart over 22 million monthly listeners on streaming services such as spotify. the record is a noticeable influence for indie rock and emo music today, and served as a reminder that "throwaways" or "Scraps" can still be compiled into an inspiring masterpiece.


9.5/10