Complete [Box set, Original recording remastered]

The Smiths | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 18, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 8
• Format: Box set, Original recording remastered
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Rhino
• ASIN: B005DKLPQ0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,677 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

See all items

Editorial Reviews

Limited eight CD box set containing digitally remastered editions of all eight Smiths albums. This box includes all four of the band's studio albums: The Smiths (1984), Meat Is Murder, The Queen Is Dead (1986), and Strangeways, Here We Come (1987) plus their sole live album Rank (1988) as well as the compilations Hatful Of Hollow (1984), The World Won't Listen (1987) and Louder Than Bombs (1987). Rhino. 2011.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 70 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars You Really Have Got Almost Everything Now October 18, 2011

By OMG! It's got a plug!

Format:Audio CD

This is a very welcome release by Rhino that collects together all of the albums released by The Smiths during (or just after) their relatively short life span. Containing the four studio albums, three compilations and a live album, the music, for most people, needs little or no introduction. This box set really does remind the listener how timeless their music was and how totally unique and original the Morrissey & Marr songwriting partnership was. Also, they were that rarest of bands that released stunning albums and equally stunning singles. And their fanbase never had to wait too long for new music - they were forever releasing non-album singles between albums and this is partly why the 'Hatful of Hollow' and 'The World Won't Listen' compilations were released while the band were still active.

If the truth be told, there isn't too much discernible difference between these remasters and the CD re-issues of the 1990s that I own. But it is an improvement, particularly on their eponymous debut, and there is generally (but not always) more space and definition between the instruments. Overall the frequency range is higher but sound quality is in no way compromised to favour a loud mix as can sometimes be the case with remasters.

All eight CD covers are exact mini replicas of the original vinyl releases, right down to the stickers and the inlay sleeves. Four of them have gatefold sleeves just like the originals and even the artwork on the CDs themselves is identical to that found on the original vinyl LPs. Housed in a sturdy cardboard case and accompanied by a booklet (albeit very brief for a career encompassing collection), the attention to detail is exceptional. In total there are 111 tracks with a playing time of 6 hours & 35 minutes, although there is some repetition given the inclusion of the three compilation albums.

It's not quite the complete Smiths - there are a couple of single only tracks missing, but I would wager that a similar box set featuring remastered CD mini replicas of all of their UK singles will hit the racks sometime within the next 12 months (probably in the run-up to next Christmas). In summary, this is a worthwhile purchase for fans and newcomers alike and reconfirms that The Smiths were indeed the best, most consistent and prolific band of their generation. It also represents excellent value too.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sonically amazing! January 7, 2012

By Malamute Dad

Format:Audio CD

Just a short review to state that sonically, this CD box set is amazing. I own the original Rough Trade releases and this box set is far, far superior. Cymbals are crisp, bass is tight and Morrisseys voice is just right. Thumbs up to Johnny Marr!

Also, fyi, Amazon.co.uk sells this for 30.47 pounds. The VAT tax (approximately 17%) will be deducted for shipments to North America. So final cost is approximately $41 plus shipping. I always scope amazon.co.uk before purchasing as prices are frequently much cheaper, even having to pay for shipping

For about $5 per disc, this is a bargain
Cheers

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Mostly complete--we get the band's four studio albums, two compilations, live and "Hatful" in a remastered boxed set October 18, 2011

By Wayne Klein HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

I'm clearly hearing something different than some of the other reviewers here--while these remastered editions of the band's studio, compilation and live albums are hardly brickwalled they are louder than the previous CD editions. For example "How Soon Is Now?" from "Hatful" here when compared to the original U.S. CD sounds like the drums and bass have been goosed by comparison. Is closer to how the original mastertapes sound? I don't know but it was a bit startling at first. By comparison there were other tracks on "Hatful" that were quieter and weren't mastered quite as hot as "How Soon Is Now".

There are a handful of one-off tracks that didn't make the set and it might have been nice to include these on a bonus disc (hence the "mostly complete" in my subtitle of the review).

Over all the mastering here is a bit brighter than I had hoped as well but the trade off is that the clarity on these remasters are greater improved and they don't sound as dull as some of the original CD pressings by comparison. You loose something in the process of a more compressed remaster-- the dynamic range isn't as wide here--all you have to do is compare the goosed bass and drums on "How Soon Is Now" or any other track on the album against the original CD or the original vinyl to realize this. If that's not going to bother you, THIS is the version for you.

The packaging as others have mentioned is nice--the CD's look like replicas of the original vinyl labels (adapted, of course for CD), the "mini-LP" packaging is pretty darn close to what I've seen for the original vinyl pressings from the UK of these releases.

The boxed set also has a eight page booklet with notes about the band and info about the individual albums.

For the price this is a good way to collect the bulk of the band's material all in one stop. The mastering although not perfect is good but hardly audiophile quality. The advantage of having the original mastertapes to work from is also evident in listening to these as there's better clarity.