Meat is Murder by The Smiths (Album Review)

or how your position in the industry can influence others.

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The record I have chosen for today’s review is recognized to be considered a ‘must hear’ album which is also the only Smiths album to hit number one on the UK’s album chart, however not the chart places make this a standout release, but its concept and courageous/melancholic performance.

Meat is Murder is a concept album that isn’t afraid of taking risks and exposing weaknesses, fear, life or death, and most importantly murdering of animals

Albums concept has aged pretty well and shows its impact on contemporary reality.

Throughout the release, you will notice one exceptional trait of this album which is the soundscape isn’t a justification of a song’s message.

If the tracks don’t have room for optimism, instrumental execution capable to say otherwise. Guitar chords and drums are always full of bright, powerful, motivational, and politically directed sounds.

Which makes the moral of the album even more significant

Tracklist

1. The Headmaster Ritual (4:52)
2. 2. Rusholme Ruffians (4:19)
3. 3. I Want the One I Can’t Have (3:12)
4. 4. What She Said (2:40)
5. 5. That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore (4:57)
6. 6. Nowhere Fast (2:35)
7. 7. Well I Wonder (4:00)
8. 8. Barbarism Begins at Home (6:55)
9. 9. Meat Is Murder (6:02)

Right off the bat album displays the feeling of atrocity and struggle which instantly immerses you in this state-of-the-art.

1. The Headmaster Ritual

First Track- is ‘The Headmaster Ritual’. It commences with a boy who describes all anguish he experiences, moreover, The Smiths were trying to demonstrate the reality of the battlefield and showcase even small hidden details of the introduced individual.

‘The Headmaster Ritual’ sounds revolutionary, and empowering, even though contains certain melancholic parts in it.

2. Rusholme Ruffians

The continuation of the album wasn’t as memorable and remarkable as the introduction, though it has plenty of basic and common elements of the Indie Rock/Pop genre and some of the inherent specialties of ‘The Smiths, such as ironic and sarcastic lyrics and the well-known guitar chords.

Regardless of so much potential, I believe this track remains one of the most carelessly executed from the duo and remains my least favorite out of this record. The main issue for me was the instrumental accompaniment which in some parts almost silenced Morrisey’s vocals and made them undistinguished.

Not only that, but the length of the song also didn’t do well for me and left me with a repulsive aftertaste.

3. I Want the One I can’t have

Throughout the song Morrisey talks about his endless desire to love, however, the knowledge that he has to suffer, remain unsatisfied, and decline all of his natural needs makes him look so desperate.

This track shows you that even though ‘mentality catches up with your biology or your other needs, sometimes there is only one choice and the motive here shows that there will be always something: ‘ I want the one, I can’t have’

4. What She Said

This track can be named one of the most unique and distinct among the others for telling a story from a woman’s perspective which commences and goes in a commiserative way that demonstrates not the only known side of made-up modern realities.

What I like about this song the most is that it is a frequent situation when women’s points of view can be sexualized, and misused which builds up inappropriate behavior and society, as a result. The track avoids those stereotypes and contributes to the success of this project.

5. That Joke isn’t funny Anymore

‘That Joke Isn’t funny Anymore’ is the peak of sorrow and emotions on the album, it has a beautiful message of laughing from people who feel so lonely and their only escape is to die, however, Morrisey admits that

‘ I wish I could laugh, but this joke isn’t funny anymore’ which basically means that he comprehends what this person handles.

This track is the exact instance of showing real feelings in song, here the vocalist nailed it without any doubt and I wonder how this song is unable to bring empathy out of others while being so sincere, open, and real.

6. Nowhere fast

‘Nowhere fast’ is my favorite track on this record and what makes me appreciate it is the way Morrisey here sarcastically delivers a protest message:

‘ I would like to drop my trousers to the Queen’

The song is full of confidence and It can be observed from the acoustic accompaniment and vocals.

7. Well I wonder

Here the gentle guitar and delicate vocals were so immaculately combined together which makes you so affectionate with this song.

The lyrics are filled with grief and the way he describes that he wonders why or how is he still alive, leaves me speechless.

This track remains one of the most thought-provoking tracks out of this project and I would recommend starting your acquaintance with ‘the smiths’ from this track.

8. Barbarism Begins at Home

This song is mostly exceptional for its spontaneous funky performance and Andy Rourke who incorporated the incredible bass guitar.

This 7-minute pure euphoric masterpiece narrates about the domestic violence and abuse of kids which in my opinion fits in the album ideally.

What also places the track higher among the others is the vocal play which surprised me with unexpected progressions and certain intercalation. As most of the community provokes to think that Morrissey has a limited vocal range and isn’t able to push himself above his comfort zone, which is partly true, however, I have to admit that in this song he has shown immaculate vocal performance and it can’t be told otherwise.

9. Meat is Murder

The last track on this album is the whole concept of the project which is filled with an ominous, terrifying atmosphere.

The message of this is to recover our sight and to illustrate the full awfulness of modern society, which doesn’t even care about consuming brainless meat, which is equal to killing a living being.

What I did like the most about the song is the sounds of animals suffering, slaughterhouse, and how it pushes you to the climax and makes you rethink your belief.

Now in 2023, it can be seen that the message was partly heard and Morrissey’s way can be perceived in a more formal and deserving way.

Personally saying this album has allowed me to reconsider my assumptions and given me a viewpoint that in turn helps me to magnify my purview.

This is more than an album, this is reality.

dedicated to mx-5