The Sound Of The Smiths by The Smiths reviews

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17 May 2025

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The Smiths

The Sound Of The Smiths

Singles, live tracks and rarities on this compilation

ADM rating[?]: 7.4
Label: Rhino
UK Release date: 10/11/2008

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10.0 4576
10.0 | Rolling Stone

Rarely does an act so flatteringly curate its own brilliance.
Read Review
9.0 4573
9.0 | musicOMH

If you're unfamiliar with them then we suggest you find a copy straight away. We guarantee you'll like them. If not, you've got no right to take your place with the human race.
Read Review
9.0 4575
9.0 | PopMatters

The sound on all of the material is superb. Along with a welcome boost in volume, Marr’s mastering sparkles and yields much greater separation between the instruments. That alone makes The Sound of the Smiths a worthwhile upgrade from Singles.
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8.0 4577
8.0 | The Guardian

This is no treasure trove, but it works well as a definitive overview.
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8.0 4579
8.0 | Uncut

Marr is a colourist, not a glory-hunter, and Morrissey’s posturing is all about self-deprecation, if not self-abuse, which is why the Smiths remain the antidote to cock rock.
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7.5 4574
7.5 | Pitchfork

The first disc is fine, containing most of the band's singles and a few key album tracks. The second is messier: Halfway between a rarities collection and a deeper investigation of the group's work, it doesn't satisfy on either level.
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6.0 4578
6.0 | The Quietus

It's rare, these days, to be impressed by Morrissey - but here we are... You used to get in trouble for saying this, but now it seems self-evident. The Smiths were a very uneven singles band.
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4.0 4572
4.0 | Drowned In Sound

So yadda yadda yadda, a best of isn't as worthwhile as a group's actual albums, what a shocker.
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The Smiths: The Sound Of The Smiths

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3. What Difference Does It Make? [Peel Session - BBC] £0.99

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15. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out £0.99

16. Panic £0.99

17. Ask £0.99

18. You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby £0.99

19. Shoplifters Of The World Unite £0.99

20. Sheila Take A Bow £0.99

21. Girlfriend In A Coma £0.99

22. I Started Something I Couldn't Finish £0.99

23. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me £0.99

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The Smiths

The Sound Of The Smiths

10.0 | Rolling Stone

9.0 | musicOMH

9.0 | PopMatters

8.0 | The Guardian

8.0 | Uncut

7.5 | Pitchfork

6.0 | The Quietus

4.0 | Drowned In Sound

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Any decent music? We review the reviews. You get the final word

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Just in

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New

New

New

Highest Recent Ratings

Albums to watch

The Smiths

The Sound Of The Smiths

10.0 | Rolling Stone

9.0 | musicOMH

9.0 | PopMatters

8.0 | The Guardian

8.0 | Uncut

7.5 | Pitchfork

6.0 | The Quietus

4.0 | Drowned In Sound

Hear it

Preview & download it

Latest Reviews

All-time top 10

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