SMITHS

The Smiths: Morrissey (vocals); Johnny Marr (guitar, harmonica); Andy Rourke (bass); Mike Joyce (drums). Recorded at Pluto and Eden Studios, Manchester, and Matrix and Strawberry Studios, London in the winter of 1983. Personnel: Morrissey (vocals); Johnny Marr (guitars, harmonica); Andy Rourke (bass guitar); Mike Joyce (drums). Recording information: Eden, London (1983); Matrix, London (1983); Pluto, Manchester (1983); Strawberry, Manchester (1983). This self-titled opening salvo of the Smiths' four-year war with mediocrity stands proud as one of the era's most innovative and unique works. Flying in the face of the pomp and artifice that prevailed in pop music at the time, the Smiths raged against their makeup- wearing, synth-playing contemporaries and squarely put rock back on the agenda. Guitarist Johnny Marr married the tunesmanship and harmonic richness of his Motown heroes with the rage of punk, while Morrissey's bedroom confessionals were catnip to England's (and later the world'