Juan Dulces
I just see trees.
If it had been produced better, most people wouldn't pan the first LP as much. Take You've Got Everything Now from Hatful and compare it to the LP's version. Right there is a clear example of the over-production the LP brings you. You can say the exact same for What Difference. That over-production/extra-stylized 'slick' sound really sounds thin and wimpy --- whereas both of those songs, on Hatful, have teeth and a much much stronger rhythm/beat for sure. They are two great Smiths songs that weren't represented fairly on the actual LP.
Also, they could've chopped Cradle and/or replaced it with This Night Has Opened My Eyes, also written in 1983 so it could've made the cut (and besides the Radio sessions never got a proper 'studio' recording). This Night already has a similar pulse to Reel Around and Owe You Anything (which is the gem of the album in my opinion), and the three of those songs could've really bookended the LP, so to speak. Unfortunately, I believe Cradle to be their most boring original track, and they should've either cut it completely or replaced it.
The US release of the first LP had both This Charming Man and Hand In Glove (without the fade-in intro), which totally made up for the tracks I mentioned above. With those two songs included, the first LP - US Release - already is on par with Strangeways, I think. But...take the UK track listing, replace Cradle with This Night, re-record Got Everything and What Difference, and possibly use the Troy Tate version/style of Suffer Little (with the very emotive piano outro) - and you've got an album that is better than Strangeways - maybe. Of course, there are only great Smiths LPs.
Also, they could've chopped Cradle and/or replaced it with This Night Has Opened My Eyes, also written in 1983 so it could've made the cut (and besides the Radio sessions never got a proper 'studio' recording). This Night already has a similar pulse to Reel Around and Owe You Anything (which is the gem of the album in my opinion), and the three of those songs could've really bookended the LP, so to speak. Unfortunately, I believe Cradle to be their most boring original track, and they should've either cut it completely or replaced it.
The US release of the first LP had both This Charming Man and Hand In Glove (without the fade-in intro), which totally made up for the tracks I mentioned above. With those two songs included, the first LP - US Release - already is on par with Strangeways, I think. But...take the UK track listing, replace Cradle with This Night, re-record Got Everything and What Difference, and possibly use the Troy Tate version/style of Suffer Little (with the very emotive piano outro) - and you've got an album that is better than Strangeways - maybe. Of course, there are only great Smiths LPs.
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