The Smiths

 

Artist:  The Smiths

Origin:  Manchester, England

Genre:  Indie Pop, Indie Rock, Jangle Pop, Post-Punk, Alternative Rock, College Rock

Original line-up:

Morrissey:  Lead Vocals, Percussion

Johnny Marr:  Guitar, Piano, Keyboards, Harmonica

Steve Pomfret:  Guitar

2nd line-up:

Morrissey:  Lead Vocals, Percussion

Johnny Marr:  Guitar, Piano, Keyboards, Harmonica

Dale Hibbert:  Bass

Simon Wolstencroft:  Drums

Classic line-up:

Morrissey:  Lead Vocals, Percussion

Johnny Marr:  Guitar, Piano, Keyboards, Harmonica

Andy Rourke:  Bass

Mike Joyce:  Drums

The Smiths were an English Rock Band from Manchester, formed in 1982.  The Smiths are one of the most important acts to emerge from 1980s British Independent Music.  They signed to the independent label Rough Trade Records in 1983 and released their first album, The Smiths, in 1984.  Their focus on a Guitar, Bass and Drum Sound, fusing 1960s Rock and Post-Punk, was a rejection of the Synth Pop Sound.

Title:  Best...II (2026)

Genre:  Indie Pop, Indie Rock, Jangle Pop, Post-Punk, Alternative Rock, College Rock

Label:  Rhino/Warner Records

Rating:  *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side One:

 1.  The Boy With The Thorn In This Side (3:16)

 2.  The Headmaster Ritual (4:52) 

 3.  Heaven Knows Miserable Now Ask (3:34)

 4.  Ask (3:15)

 5.  Oscillare Wildly (3:26)

 6.  Nowhere Fast (2:35)

 7.  Still Ill (2:36)

Side Two:

 1.  Bigmouth Strikes Again (3:14)

 2.  That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore (4:57)

 3.  Shakespeare's Sister (2:08)

 4.  Girl Afraid (2:46)

 5.  Reel Around The Fountain (5:56)

 6.  Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me (5:02)

 7.  There Is A igt That Never Goes Out (4:02)

Personnel:

Morrissey:  Lead Vocals

Johnny Marr:  Guitars, Keyboards, Harmonica, Mandolins, Synthesizered String, Flute

Andy Rourke:  Bass, Cello on Tracks:  1/5, 2/3

Mike Joyce:  Drums

Craig Gannon:  Rhythm Guitar on Track 1/4

Additional Musicians:

Kirsby MacColl:  Backing Vocals on Track 1/4

Paul Carrack:  Piano, Organ on Track 2/5

Best...II is a compilation album by The Smiths, originally released on November 2, 1992 by WEA, remastered and reissued on July 24, 2026 by Rhino/Warner Records.