Well, Slap Me On The Patio

 

The Smiths - The Smiths [ROUGH 61 NLD 1984 24-Bit 176.4kHz FLAC]

I still recall buying the UK pressing of the debut album from The Smiths at HMV in Manchester on the day of release back in February 1984. Having spent many years in the city, I was wrapped up in the anticipation for this release, having already seen the band several times live and owning all of the first few singles. I was a little underwhelmed, and despite numerous attempts to get into this record, it was only the two singles (including the new mix of Hand In Glove), Reel Around The Fountain and Suffer Little Children  which stood out to me. You may be (un)surprised to know that I never bought another Smiths album and only a smattering of singles since.

I foolishly sold my first pressing a few years later, A1/B1s with the orange text on the labels fetch a tidy sums these days. Late last year, I was about to pull the trigger on a £60 Japanese pressing (complete with flexi) when in the same trade's box of delights, I found this Dutch first pressing (without the bonus single) for a fraction of that price, so I bought it. This version was pressed at CBS Netherlands and was released shortly after the UK version to coincide with the band's tour of Europe in late April 1984. I've given it a really good clean up and here are the results.

Oddly enough it is still the two singles, along with Reel Around The Fountain and Suffer Little Children which stand out to me. Others will find plenty more to enjoy.

A1 Reel Around The Fountain

A2 You've Got Everything Now

A3 Miserable Lie

A4 Pretty Girls Make Graves

A5 The Hand That Rocks The Cradle

B1 Still Ill

B2 Hand In Glove

B3 What Difference Does It Make?

B4 I Don't Owe You Anything

B5 Suffer Little Children