The Smiths ‘The Queen Is Dead’ Named Greatest Album by NME

[musiclipse]

The Smiths’ 1986 LP came top of the list, above albums by The Beatles and David Bowie.

In his recent number one best-selling book Autobiography, Morrissey attacks the NME and accuses them of conspiring against him. Ironically the alternative music publication’s staff has named The Smiths’ 1986 album ‘The Queen Is Dead’ as the greatest in history.

‘The Queen Is Dead’ is The Smiths third studio album, recorded in 1985 and includes the songs ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’, ‘The Boy With The Thorn In His Side’ and ‘Frankly Mr. Shankly’. Produced by Johnny Marr and Morrissey, the album peaked at number 2 in the chart upon its release. One of the reasons of the choice claimed by NME, is that the record is just as relevant today as it was 27 years ago. The Smiths top higher than the The Beatles ‘Revolver’, David Bowie ‘Hunky Dory’, Pixies ‘Doolitle’ and Radiohead ‘Ok Computer’.

‘The Queen Is Dead’ appeared at No. 8 on NME’s previous list of the greatest albums, while The Stone Roses’ self-titled release was at No. 1. Among the fresh entries, there are Kanye West’s ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’ and Amy Winehouse’s ‘Back to Black.’, there is also a big surprise by the number 4 by The Strokes ‘This is It’.


NME’s top 25 Greatest Albums of All Time

1. The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead
2. The Beatles – Revolver
3. David Bowie – Hunky Dory
4. The Strokes – Is This It
5. The Velvet Underground & Nico – The Velvet Underground
6. Pulp – Different Class
7. The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses
8. Pixies – Doolittle
9. The Beatles – The Beatles (White Album)
10. Oasis – Definitely Maybe
11. Nirvana – Nevermind
12. Patti Smith – Horses
13. Arcade Fire – Funeral
14. David Bowie – Low
15. PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
16. Joy Division – Closer
17. Public Enemy – It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
18. My Bloody Valentine – Loveless
19. Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not
20. Radiohead – OK Computer
21. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
22. Blur – Parklife
23. David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
24. The Rolling Stones – Exile on Main St
25. Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On


What do you think of this list? A bit risky The Smiths in the first place?


Regards,

Musiclipse
music that matters

[SteveO]

I will still go with the Beatles! I did not like Amy's Back to Black. That's the problem with these lists...they are purely subjective in nature and they change fairly completely from time to time! Having said that, there is no doubt that there are a lot of great albums on the list! The Queen is Dead is a classic, number one?, I must listen to it again! nice to see Arcade Fire and Ziggy Stardust on the list!

[musiclipse]

I am a bit surprise i must admit. First of all i don't think The Queen is Dead is their best album !
I agree with you, i still go with the Beatles, where's Dark Side of the Moon for example?

[Jerome]

Dark Side of the Moon - No. 1 - the rest is of them are far behind that album.

[CRAZY-HORSE]

im not a huge fan as you know J-Man, but DSOTM should be in every top10 list of best albums as it was a landmark album(and yes, i do like the album, i have it on vinyl, cd and 25th anniversary vinyl(still sealed!)....

theres probably 15 of those albums i wouldnt put in any best of list!...diff'rent strokes, and all that i guess

[Jerome]

No sweat Crazy Man - we all have our favourites, and as far as Pink Floyd goes I know I am completely biased. Was just tagging onto the previous post. Funny thing is 'The Division Bell' is fast becoming one of my favourites of theirs. I bought a vinyl copy of DSOTM in Montpellier about 2 years ago - also still sealed.

[SteveO]

Love Pink Floyd! The Wall is still a monster album!!!!

[musiclipse]

I realize the subjectivity of personal lists, they are always liable to discussions. But no one can deny the influence of DSOTM in contemporary music.

[SteveO]

or Sgt Pepper!!!!

[Jerome]

or Sgt Pepper!!!!

- True - not my cup of tea but certainly an extremely influential album.