The Smiths

Even in an era of radical post-punk, <i>The Smiths</i> is an utterly unique debut. From the woozy charms of “Reel Around the Fountain”, Morrissey’s fragile croon commences its love affair with Johnny Marr’s twinkling guitar. The band brings fire to “You’ve Got Everything Now” and “This Charming Man”, a Motown dance beat embroidered with slippery guitar. Gentle in its rage, “Suffer Little Children” takes on child abuse as no other band could, whilst the group’s singular allure glows within the dreamy licks of “I Don’t Owe You Anything”.