Today (May 22nd) legendary frontman Morrissey turns 54 and to celebrate his birthday we thought it only right to dedicate this week’s Classic Album to The Smiths.
We found it difficult dwindling down the list to just one album and a few selected songs but after some deliberation we settled with the undisputed brilliance that is ‘The Queen Is Dead’.
The British rockers defined the genre of indie rock n’ roll and dominated throughout the 80s and 90s.
Their third studio album ‘The Queen is Dead’, which was released in 1986, has appeared on many Top 100 album lists, not mention being named ‘The Greatest Album Of All Time’ by NME late last year.
Morrissey himself was the brains behind the album artwork, which features French actor Alain Delon from the 1964 film L’Insoumis.
Although many have attempted to imitate Morrissey’s signature mournful croon and Marr’s guitar genius, none have come close to recreating what set The Smiths apart from the crowd.
Here are our three favourite tracks from the record.
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
Frankly, Mr. Shankley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYQV2RAUmwk
I Know It’s Over
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18GrFywPkXE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1MsuoNJQ3U
Previous Her.ie Classic Albums Of The Week
Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours‘
Kanye West’s ‘College Dropout‘
Oasis’ ‘Definitely Maybe‘
ABBA’s ‘ABBA Gold‘
AC/DC’s ‘Back In Black’
Damien Rice’s ‘O’
Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’
If you have a favourite album suggestion or artist that you think should be featured as the #ClassicAlbumOfTheWeek, email Grace at [email protected], or get in touch with us on Facebook or Twitter.