ALBUM REACTION: The Smiths - Hatful of Hollow

[@AlexHaitz]

More THE SMITHS Reactions: The Queen is Dead: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZukoZ9_obKdlZI Self-Titled: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3S4pWWEf86kgsk Meat is Murder: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4nLoJyId8mMqNU Strangeways, Here We Come: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIq7lJ6BbaqBi80 The World Won't Listen and Louder than Bombs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYioZWedjbWobMU

[@wartimemodels]

The Smiths are a peerless band. Flawless discography. Expert song craft, culturally significant, literate/hilarious/moving lyrics, masterful guitar playing and compositions, compelling personality and voice in Moz... Took me a while to get into them for a number of reasons, but once it clicks it becomes obvious. I appreciate the "First Reaction" setup and liked your commentary, but the Smiths are one of those bands that doesn't really shine through with a first listen. Certain tracks are immediately appealing, but they're a slow burn overall.

[@AlexHaitz]

I wholeheartedly agree. Queen is Dead just confused me on first listen, but then clicked the next day and I've been listening heavily ever since.

[@Dreijer94]

I agree with you. The Smiths are one of the best. Everything hits exactly where it should. A band of great musicians.

[@poopoopants662]

unfortunately golden lights exists

[@wartimemodels]

@@poopoopants662 I like golden lights

[@poopoopants662]

@@wartimemodels i hope you get well soon :(

[@peranderson3816]

Meat is Murder has the best bass lines of all the albums and compilations. Strangeways has the highest production quality. Both worth a good listen. How soon is now will grow on you. It is also on the US release of Meat is Murder. As far as compilations Louder than Bombs is my favorite. After you finish with the Smiths you will need to give 'The The - Mind Bomb' a listen. Johnny Marr with Matt Johnson on that album. One of my favorites of all time.

[@gregorykrug8034]

"This Night Has Opened My Eyes" is the greatest Smiths song ever IMO.

[@doelette7400]

agreed, it's so poetic and amazing with its storytelling and evoking visuals

[@markjenkins2262]

And it’s not about murder

[@MrTumshie]

The Stone Roses debut album is a magnificent thing of beauty, can't recommend it enough.

[@Wilantonjakov]

Love that album!

[@Wilantonjakov]

The Smiths are the greatest band of all time. I will never change my mind.

[@Dreijer94]

One of my favourite albums of all time.

[@billhinge9403]

Saw them 3 times when they were playing polytechnics and universities before they were famous. Bought this album the day it came out and it was my favourite (still have it). It represented the spirit of the age as early 80's students in the midlands of England so it probably loses at bit of the 'character' on youtube!

[@GavinHitchens]

I'm a huge Smith's fan but it took me a while to really get into them beyond the obvious hits, it took repeated listens over quite some time. These videos are really relatable to me in that way

[@anapaulacameron2438]

The dark comedic side of The Smiths is crucial to its legacy. Anthems necessary if you’re a teenager and you know your angst is hormone driven; and yet it’s no less real for that. Songs about the paradox of high self entitlement; low self confidence. It just helped a whole generation (or two) to overcome their dark moods by belting them out and yoddling away depression.

[@jb8280]

Please please please let me get what I want is The Smiths in their purest form. Maudlin Morrissey and Jangly Johnny strumming his beautiful heart out.

[@elouisegoodchild8077]

The song “this night has opened my eyes” was based heavily and had lines extracted from Sheila Delagney ‘a taste of honey’ . Morrissey loved 60s films and this was one of them. Not about murder but more of a young girl having a child and giving it away

[@johnboylan3591]

I dreamt about you last night and feel out of bed twice from reel around the fountain is also from the same film

[@rsddetrgshedsafdsgsdafh3017]

21:50 perfect explanation of Johnny Marr

[@jacksprat4578]

I used to be obsessed with The Smiths as a teenager in the 90s (which was some years after they had split up). And although I prefer the later stuff, the bleak feel of many of the songs on Hatful of Hollow moved me in a way I can’t quite put my finger on, and in a way that a band like Joy Division never did (although I listened to them too). It always made me think of dark days in England - cold and alone. I don’t know if it was just Morrissey’s haunted wail, or if the music itself. But I have to admit I never liked Hand In Glove either, or most of the first album for that matter. And I could always sort of understand back then (and more so now) why some people just didn’t like their sound at all. Anyway, as a former Smiths obsessive I am obviously going to recommend, now you have listened to three Smiths albums (including their weakest), that you listen to the remaining three (in chronological order). I always thought their best songs were the ones they recorded after the acclaimed Queen Is Dead and before the supposedly disappointing Strangeways Here We Come, which is why The World Won’t Listen was always my favourite album - I would strongly recommend checking it out sometime even if you don’t want to do a video on it, and even if you’d prefer to skip over the songs you have already heard. Meat Is Murder was probably their rockiest album, although it contains a couple of slower songs. I think The Killers were particularly influenced by it. It also contains The Headmaster Ritual, which Radiohead once covered. Strangeways… was considered disappointing by some, but I still liked it. The band members themselves still insist it was their best album. The music is very different to what came before it, a bit more pop but a bit more experimental at the same time. It also contains my favourite ever Smiths song, Stop Me If You Think That You’d Head This One Before (which I’d say is impossible to cover, so ignore the Mark Ronson version). I recommend The Stone Roses first album too!

[@Tbevie50]

I’m astonished by the way you just brushed aside How Soon is now. I was mesmerised when I first heard it. Love these videos.

[@AlexHaitz]

It seems to be a lot of people's favorite, and while I've grown to enjoy it more, I've never been as thoroughly taken by it as others have been. Not sure what it is!

[@thermodynamics458]

"Girl Afraid" is the best track on the Album in my worthless opinion. The guitar work on it is exceptional.

[@pametnitrol2532]

Coming a bit late :) Morrissey was in a punk bend in late 70s, he was part of a british punk scene and what I realised later is how he tried and somehow managed to make social influence, almost like happened with sex pistols onto then society and all of that with totally non aggressive, more pop-ish but really smart musical attitude.

[@dbp-wv1hs]

I think you'll definitely like Meat Is Murder more so than HoH and the self-titled. Not sure about SHWC. Many of the singles in LTB/TWWL (Ask, Sheila Take a Bow etc were some of their most poppy!). Also you've got to listen to the Stone Roses' debut - it's unmissable.

[@motelghost477]

I've been listening to The Smiths for 23 years and I still have no idea what kind of music they made.

[@29memyselfandi]

Ha ha. Great comment. I’m in the same boat. Absolutely adore the band but how do you even describe them? Unique I guess.

[@felipeahumada797]

The outhrou of Please Please Please was made with a mandolin procesed with a Boss C3 Delay....cheers, mate

[@teacherchil]

This Charming Man has half a dozen official versions.

[@teacherchil]

I see you really dig Heaven! The name of the song is a reference to a Sandie Shaw song: heaven knows I'm missing him now.

[@S_E_R_]

I just started watching your videos the other day and I appreciate how into depth and detail you talk about music, regardless of whether you enjoy the track or now. A band I highly recommend is Siouxsie & The Banshees, if you aren't already familiar. They are often considered to be the band that launched "goth rock", particularly with their debut album The Scream in 1978 and even more explicitly on latter albums. The band is also known for their tendency to fuse more avant garde sounds with a commercially accessible palette. Siouxsie's voice is also hugely influential, as it started off very shrill and punchy on the first two albums but quickly lowered into her signature deep, smokey croon that manages to be commanding and in your face.

[@teacherchil]

I'm happy you are listening to the smiths. the Smiths is a mix of the introspective and the jangly punk...

[@R0CKDRIG0]

The Stone Roses is the missing link between The Smiths and Oasis. I don't think you should go to Meat Is Murder yet since it's very groove based (the bassist stands out). Strangeways is similar to The Queen Is Dead but turns up the production to 11, which turns some people off. After those two you can go to Louder Than Bombs, which is similar to Hatful Of Hollow (as in lots of b-sides an alternate versions). They slightly overlap but it's a great listen none the less (my favorites are London, Panic, Ask, Oscillate Wildly, Rubber Ring and Asleep). The World Won't Listen only adds some different versions so it's not an essential listen.

[@creepylavalamp]

I love that you do these!! I always find peoples reactions interesting when I play them the Smiths for the first time. The combo of Marr's guitar genius and Morrissey's sad/tongue-in-cheek lyrics can bring tears to your eyes!

[@teacherchil]

I've never REALLY liked hand in glove really. Everything Now is a grower. It took me more than a decade to truly love it. Believe me all these songs that sound 5,6/10 to you are growers.

[@glennjonsson1819]

It's refreshing to hear your sort of bleak reaction to an album that kept me in my room for three months back then. On "Meat..." the production is more harsh than bleak. I suspect you'll find one or two favourite songs on that one anyway. JM is great on that album. My personal favourite is "Nowhere Fast" It's so much a dialogue between Moz and JM that drives the song. But you'll find one or two others that you can fall asleep to so that'll be be good as well

[@dianablock1130]

I love most of the songs on this one! "This Night Has Opened My Eyes" rattled me...."Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" is so Morrissey!

[@yaboyreege7158]

Hatful of hollow has always been my favorite smiths album. I love the production on it compared to the self titled, and all of the other additions on hatful are great. There is not a bad moment on this album and will forever be in my top 5

[@SerbSkiLLz00]

It's going to be interesting when you finally listen to Tom Waits due to the fact it is rather difficult to contextualize his thoughts due to his eccentricities. His mind is on a world of its own.

[@hamblok0]

Meat is Murder is my favorite out of all of them, definitely think you'd like it better. Very energetic album.

[@elainecannon24]

Has Morrisseys vocal grown on you any? I grew up listening to the Smiths thanks to my older brother. I keep coming back to them at various times and lstening to them never fails to make me happy. There is so much humour in the lyrics you can't help but be amused by them. My mate at school would give me so much shit about them I haven't seen him for 20 years but he FB messaged me his play list a few months ago and he finally gets it or he is trying to be cool because turns out his daughter is a massive fan either way I like to think its Karma.

[@AlexHaitz]

He's grown on me a lot. I listen to The Smiths all the time now. Looking forward to doing some of Morrissey's solo stuff in the future.

[@teacherchil]

YOU WILL LOVE THE STONE ROSES DEBUT. It's super jangly.

[@ms8742]

Louder than Bombs is almost the same album, and was available domestically whereas Hatful was an import. I always thought the last 5 Smiths songs on Louder were like a brilliant mini EP all to themselves. Just a completely different vibe than the rest of the record.....Stretch out and Wait, Please let me get what i want, This night has opened my Eyes, Unlovable, and Asleep. Just brilliant.

[@scotthandler3314]

I think all 4 band members have said that Strangeways is their favorite album.

[@teacherchil]

Also: Check The House of Love's debut album. The sugarcubes debut album. The primitives debut album. Suede''s debut album. Blur's Parklife,

[@antonioeisadora]

Best compilation of all time!

[@glenmcculla6843]

I heartily recommend 'Meat is Murder', but i'd give 'Strangeways' priority, as a) i think you'll like it more, and b) it's got some of my favourite Smiths songs on it.

[@Kyle-91]

Definitely do The Stone Roses debut. A classic album, and quite different from The Smiths. A couple of other suggestions (if you haven't heard them already) - XTC - Skylarking (Great arty British Pop/Rock) Talk Talk's final 2 albums, Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock (big influence on Radiohead)

[@AlexHaitz]

I've wanted to do those two Talk Talk albums since I'm a big fan of post-rock.

[@teacherchil]

You will fall in love with a song called Bye Bye Badman by The stone Roses.

[@timebandito4278]

My favorite Smiths song is "Shoplifters of the World Unite." "Hand In Glove" has a very chaotic feel. "Still Ill" has always sounded a lot like "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others" to me. Have you reviewed Radiohead's "OK Computer?"

[@AlexHaitz]

No, but I've heard all Radiohead albums before I ever started making reactions. They're in my top 3 fav bands.

[@προπαππούς]

Hey Alex, when it comes to the Smiths, I'm an expert. I can see where you're coming from when it comes to Hand In Glove. But let me give you just a quick tip? Look on youtube for the video of them performing Hand In Glove in Glasgow Barrowlands 1985. I can't explain it, but there's just something about that video that gives me goosebumps. They just look amazing and perfect on stage. Whenever I hear that song I always picture them on that video and somehow that image in my head just makes the song sound better. Maybe if you watch it it might "click"? Let me know if you do?

[@kimberlytuten8207]

How Soon Is Now Live Rare. Pretty good too. Thanks.

[@desertfenton]

OK- i love you now. You handsome devil.

[@teacherchil]

This night has opened my eyes is reminiscent of suffer little children, from the debut. What feeling do you have?

[@markjenkins2262]

Jesus….comparing Coldplay to the Smiths 😂. Like comparing piss to Pinot noir

[@felipec.santos4370]

I was looking for a job and then i found a job lmfao, that line is funny indeed.

[@rashotcake6945]

Tbh I think you’d like their last album, strangeways here we come, more than meat is murder. It’s more lavish. You should do that one instead. Especially since you seem to like their later and poppier stuff more.

[@AlexHaitz]

I think I'm going to do both. Just round their discography out.

[@mightguy123456]

I think you'll enjoy Meat is Murder more than the debut and HoH. Obscure jangle pop recommendation: Felt (band), The Strange Idol's Pattern and Other Short Stories. I think you'll enjoy some of the guitar work on that album (very Marresque). Lawrence's vocals are a bit hard to stomach sometimes.

[@teacherchil]

YOU can totally skip The world wont listen and go straight to Louder than bombs.

[@teacherchil]

Is this the second album by the smiths you're reacting to, after the queen is dead, right? Did The Queen is dead grow up on you? One more subscriber now.

[@AlexHaitz]

Yup! I've done all 4 studio albums and Hatful of Hollow. Thanks!

[@teacherchil]

@@AlexHaitz What is your "final" verdict?

[@AlexHaitz]

I’d rank em: Queen is Dead Strangeways Hatful Meat is Murder Debut The bottom three are really close to each other though.

[@teacherchil]

@@AlexHaitz I see. You could make a list of your Smiths top ten tracks! And how about Morrissey's solo career? Would you like to have a go at it? If so, you gotta start with Viva Hate, his debut, It's got none of the punk-ish facet of some of the smith's earlier work, which I understand you're not very fond of. Then proceed to Bona Drag, like Hatful of hollow, it's also a compilation of singles and b-sides following a debut album. Both Viva Hate and Bona Drag are packed out with instant pop songs that will make you like Moz solo better than The Smiths.

[@KenDoLL666]

Are you kidding me Louder than Bombs is a must listen, Meat is Murder is must listen, and Strange ways is must listen ASAP dozens of great songs waiting for you!!!!!

[@AlexHaitz]

Just recorded the videos for MIM and Strageways this afternoon, and will do a pick-up video later for songs I haven't heard yet off of World Wont Listen and Louder than Bombs.

[@KenDoLL666]

@@AlexHaitz good man, thanks for the reactions!!!

[@hanspeterpitsch]

I think you'd love the Jensen version of Pretty girls make graves, check it out!

[@paulkristovic]

I'm surprised by your lukewarm reaction to How Soon Is Now. It blew me away the first time I heard it and I didn't even like The smiths at that point.

[@AlexHaitz]

I still don’t love it, but I like it more than I did on first listen. I just don’t understand the rabid appeal that people have with it.

[@paulkristovic]

@@AlexHaitz Each to their own of course but for me it stands outside of the rest of their work as being strangely very unSmiths sounding and yet being a really beautiful piece of music. In that respect it reminds me of Tomorrow Never Knows by The Beatles as this too was very unlike the rest of their songs (or anyones songs for that matter).

[@teacherchil]

It's fun to watch you do that..

[@teacherchil]

Because Louder than bombs contais all the songs from the world wont listen, almost.

[@teacherchil]

"the harmonica is so out of place"...yes...but it's fantastically out of place! that's the only harmonica ever played in a smiths song.

[@50shadesofgandalfthegrey57]

Teacher Chil it’s in hand in glove, isn’t it?

[@petemozzasafc7176]

You should watch Morrissey's version of please please please let me get what you want this time from his Morrissey 25 live concert,great reviews btw

[@gregorykrug8034]

"This Night Has Opened My Eyes" and "Suffer Little Children" are two of the greatest songs ever IMO.

[@teacherchil]

Oh, ok you did The Smiths after The Queen Is Dead.

[@thesongraidersband8769]

i preffer this version of ''This charming Man''

[@teacherchil]

Meat is Murder will blow you away. And so will Strangeways. Yes, there is more to listen to. The world wont listen. and Louder than Bombs. These are a whole album made of one-off singles.

[@teacherchil]

You gotta do Meat Is murder. Yes.

[@teacherchil]

lol you love Back to the old house...yes!!!!

[@AndrewLakeUK]

I'm OK with you not liking punk, The Cure, or even The Smiths. But Coldplay!? Their cover of a Radiohead the Bends song was fine, but they've done it for a handful of albums now :}

[@markjones7109]

You should review The Eight Legged Groove Machine by The Wonderstuff.

[@sionhughes9044]

I'll keep commenting until you listen to them. The Stone Roses (self titled) and Definietly Maybe - Oasis

[@AlexHaitz]

I’ve already heard Definitely Maybe and What’s the Story?, but I will certainly do Stone Roses.

[@sionhughes9044]

@@AlexHaitz Good man. Keep up the good work

[@avdoolittle]

Absolutely listen to the Stone Roses!

[@mlgquickscopes5912]

Elliott Smith Either/Or or the self titled if you haven’t heard them

[@teacherchil]

You will like Meat is Murder...

[@teacherchil]

Not with different people.

[@Pazuzu82]

Girl afraid and how soon is now has to be my favorite songs on the album, never ever been a fan of hand in glove either, i have to say this is probably my least favorite album of the smiths

[@anadiniz9]

Thank you for your videos. How about some Bjork? :)

[@JohnM...]

You've reacted to The Velvet Underground and HAVEN'T reacted to The Jesus and Marychain?

[@thoru4367]

Yass, glad you liked it! Please react to Manic Street Preachers - Holy Bible it's soo nuts! P.S. Meat is Murder is very horror-like Strangeways, here we come is poppier and the favorite record of Morrissey and Marr

[@AlexHaitz]

I really want to do Strangeways, so I may as well do MIM to round out the whole studio album discography.

[@thoru4367]

Alex Haitz that would be nice, but plz can you check Manics afterwards

[@AlexHaitz]

@@thoru4367 I'll try to get to it at some point. It looks pretty heavy and I want to be in the right mood and frame of mind for stuff like that.

[@Scaredalone24]

Hey, have you ever listened to Mac DeMarco ? He's pretty cool in my opinion. Hey do you like hot dogs hehe me too. Do you smell your socks ? Me too!!!

[@teacherchil]

I was the 5,000th subscriber.

[@michaelz9892]

Morrissey's voice always bugs me...some good songs tho.

[@connorchickmeister1652]

The Jam - All Mod Cons, Tears For Fears - The Hurting?

[@bigbad123321]

I watch a lot of music reaction videos and I was a bit confused after watching this one. Can you black face in future videos? Thanks in advance

[@theboywithathorninhisside.4179]

Directly reviewing song tracks you clearly know nothing about. Now That's Entertainment.. as not everything represents the American narrative. Either do some prior research or stick to you're Day Job.

[@donnellykie]

stop being a weirdo. go kick a football