A Group Called Smith

The Sound of the Smiths: The Very Best of the Smiths

 "CAUTION: new mix = new treatment" 2010-02-26
By AKP
I had to get this. There are some great rarities, and as a career retrospective, I don't think the track-listing could be better. In my opinion, nothing is missing here. Also, every track is completely remixed and remastered, but therein lies a problem. They sound different.

I heard Marr "supervised" the production (i.e. - remixing and remastering), but when hearing this one wonders what happened to the magic from the original mixes. It is nice to hear a more modern sounding version of the songs, but I often find myself missing the original treatments. A lot of effects have been removed, leaving the old Mozzah out on a limb in some cases, and the instruments are more distinguishable, but not always as bright as you may be used to.

Unfortunately, nearly every track suffers from this problem and cannot be considered a definitive version. Where was Stephen Street?

Anyway, apart from all that, the discs contain some wonderful treasures like the live cut of "Meat Is Murder", interestingly in a different key, and "Jeane" which is hard to come by anymore and oddly sounds better than some of the other songs. I had never heard the instrumental, "Money Changes Everything" either so I'm pleased to have acquired some great new cuts. Never mind "What's The World". It still sounds like crap.

If you are trying to get into The Smiths, I recommend "The Queen is Dead" and "Louder Than Bombs" for starters and branching out from there, as you can't really go wrong, although the self-titled album and some of the tracks on "Hatful of Hollow" sound a bit raw to one who prefers their more polished work.

Group Called Smith

 "Rare classic" 2008-11-15
By Kenneth J. Thorley (Hong Kong)
My favourite album from the 60's. I bought my copy for 99 cents in a 2nd hand record store 30 years ago. The price is somewhat different now. Get it if you can afford it!

Baby It's You (Performed Live On The Ed Sullivan Show/1969)

On The Byas Smith Stripe Polo - Black X Med

The Queen is Dead

 "i want to go down in musical history" 2010-05-27
By osapientia (Carson, CA)
TQD is indeed pop masterpiece whose genius could have only been penned by moz and co. TQD is also musical statement as well as testament to the world of who the smiths really were- a tour de force of songwriting and rock n roll. The Smiths breeze through various tempos and styles as if it were all too easy for them. begniinng with the snarl of the queen is dead to rockabilly of vicar in a tutu to acoustic boy with the thorn in his side. these are all staples in the smiths canon, which is formidable in itself.
I am not a smiths fanatic as i would never buy tickets to see them or morissey by myself. however, i do appreciate them as i would led zeppelin or lynard skynard- a great rocknroll band that carved out it's very own special niche.

The Smiths

 "Speedy Needy" 2010-06-23
By Eche
quick delivery and not a scratch, not one infernal scratch on the cd! as it was guaranteed. Trustworthy bunch of fellows. Happy customer! HAPPY CUSTOMER.

Myth of the Heart

A New Hallelujah

 "Amazon" 2010-06-29
By snookie
This CD is by far the best CD I have ever had! Michael has a beautiful voice along with the African Childrens choir makes it even more wonderful.....I have bought copies of this CD for many of my family & friends as gifts.....highly recommended!

Mr & Mrs Smith [Blu-ray]

 "The unrated version is the chick flick version." 2010-03-09
By Cleo (USA)
The unrated version shows more scenes of their home life and more long slow shots of Angelina Jolie which really show how amazing looking she is. I didn't like the theatrical release version at all. It seemed like a rushed collection of action sequences and smarmy one-liners. I didn't receive the second disc that comes with the unrated set so I can't comment on it. If you want a slightly slower version and you really want to lock onto Angelina Jolie's face, then this version is the one for you.