Rhino UK is pleased to announce a new dual format collection of classic recordings by The Smiths, ‘The Sound Of The Smiths’, scheduled for release on November 10th, 2008. This brand new compilation was done with the full co-operation of Morrissey and Johnny Marr. Morrissey provided the title and Johnny Marr personally supervised the mastering, their joint invlovement ensuring that this is the most impactful look back at the Smiths’ extraordinary career to date.

The Sound of the Smiths: Deluxe Edition [2CD] on amazon.co.uk

The Sound Of The Smiths: 2 CD Deluxe Edition) on amazon.com

The Smiths were the definitive British independent band of the eighties, releasing a remarkable series of singles and albums between 1983 and 1987 that was both commercially and critically successful. The Smiths laid down a marker for guitar pop-rock that remains unsurpassed. They were the inspiration for the guitar driven rock that dominated the nineties and for the spiritual revival of today’s indie scene.

‘The Sound Of The Smiths’ will be available as either a single disc or two disc collection. Disc one comprises 23 tracks and presents all the Smiths’ memorable single releases, reinstating singles that were scheduled though eventually unreleased in that form (”Still Ill” and “You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet Baby”) plus European only singles including “Barbarism Begins At Home” and “The Headmaster Ritual”.

Watch “This Charming Man” video:

The core of disc one, however, is that matchless run of singles from their first Rough Trade 7 inch “Hand In Glove” to the posthumous “Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me”. The collection includes genuine classic hits such as “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now”, “How Soon Is Now”, “Panic” and “Girlfriend in A Coma” which marked the pinnacle of that unique creative collaboration between vocalist Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. Indeed, Morrissey’s eloquence and proselytising was always matched by the compelling musicianship of Marr, bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce.

The two disc format adds a further 22 tracks including rare b-sides, tracks that were exclusive to 12 inch releases and selected live recordings. Among the rarities are the Troy Tate produced “Pretty Girls Make Graves”, “What’s The World”, a cover of a track from the fellow Manchester band James, recorded live at Barrowlands, Glasgow, originally released only on a cassette single and the live “Meat Is Murder” from the vinyl 12 inch single version of “That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore”.

Both discs will be available digitally, many of the titles being made available for the very first time as downloads.

The Smiths disbanded in 1987, just weeks before the release of their fourth album, ‘Strangeways Here We Come’. Few groups packed so much originality and notoriety into a relatively short life span. The Smiths continue to be one of the most enduring and fascinating groups of the eighties.

The Sound Of The Smiths Tracklisting:

Disc One

1. Hand in Glove (3:17)
2. This Charming Man (2:41)
3. What Difference Does It Make ? (Peel Session version) (3:12)
4. Still Ill (3:20)
5. Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now (3:34)
6. William, It Was Really Nothing (2:10)
7. How Soon Is Now? (12″ version)(6:45)
8. Nowhere Fast (2:36)
9. Shakespeare’s Sister (2:08)
10. Barbarism Begins At Home (7″ version) (3:49)
11. That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore (4:58)
12. The Headmaster Ritual (4:51)
13. The Boy With The Thorn In His Side (3:15)
14. Bigmouth Strikes Again (3:12)
15. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (4:03)
16. Panic (2:19)
17. Ask (3:14)
18. You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby (4:03)
19. Shoplifters of the World Unite (2:56)
20. Sheila Take a Bow (2:41)
21. Girlfriend in a Coma (2:02)
22. I Started Something I Couldn’t Finish (3:47)
23. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me (3:09)

Disc Two

1. Jeane (3:02)
2. Handsome Devil (Live) (2:53)
3. This Charming Man (New York Vocal) (5:33)
4. Wonderful Woman
5. Back To The Old House (3:04)
6. These Things Take Time (2:22)
7. Girl Afraid (2:44)
8. Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want (1:50)
9. Stretch Out And Wait (2:37)
10. Oscillate Wildly (3:26)
11. Meat Is Murder (Live) (5:34)
12. Asleep (4:10)
13. Money Changes Everything (4:40)
14. The Queen Is Dead (6:23)
15. Vicar in a Tutu (2:21)
16. Cemetery Gates (3:35)
17. Half a Person (3:35)
18. Sweet And Tender Hooligan (3:34)
19. Pretty Girls Make Graves [Troy Tate Demo] (3:42)
20. Stop me If you Think You’ve Heard This One Before (3.31)
21. What’s The World? (Live) (2:06)
22. London (Live) (2:36)

The Smiths on Wikipedia

Morrissey Official Website

Johnny Marr Official Website