Hatful of Hollow

The Smiths | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 9, 1993)
• Original Release Date: 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000002MIF
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (73 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,377 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #46 in Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > General

Track Listings

1. William, It Was Really Nothing

2. What Difference Does It Make?

3. These Things Take Time

4. This Charming Man

5. How Soon Is Now?

6. Handsome Devil

7. Hand in Glove

8. Still Ill

9. Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now

10. This Night Has Opened My Eyes

11. You've Got Everything Now

12. Accept Yourself

13. Girl Afraid

14. Back to the Old House

15. Reel Around the Fountain

16. Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A landmark for eighties music, December 6, 2005

By 

over and under - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hatful of Hollow (Audio CD)

Much of what the Smiths represent has already been addressed in these reviews, so I will share only a few other things in addition to personal recollections of the band.

The Smiths were all too brief a force in music, but what they lacked in time, they made up for in fecundous output. Few groups recorded as much or as brilliantly as the Smiths did in their four year tenure as kings of british pop. Musically, no one even came close to the sheer beauty of what Johnny Marr created. Any guitarist worth his salt will admit as much, but music was only half of the equation. Morrissey is, like Robert Smith and Ian McCullough, a wordsmith of the highest order, creating rarely seen literary parallels between himself and the writers he so often championed.

As for the man's sexuality.... well, for all of the press it has received over the years, it was simply irrelevant to his craft, and he only underscored that notion by remaining aloof and deliberately ambiguous on the subject. For those who actually remember the Smiths while they were together, Morrissey was a declared celibate throughout his partnership with Marr, Joyce and Rourke, having given himself over to his art to such a degree that, when Johnny split, the man was literally bedridden.

The Smiths. Where would I have been without them? Some like to talk of this group as depressing but they got me through some very bad times indeed. Rarely had I heard anyone speak so honestly about his feelings... and those lyrics often reminded me that I was not the only one out there suffering. As unbelievable as it may sound, I think this band may have actually saved my life, and it's hard to speak objectively of such an influence... but anyone who has been desperate and heard the optimism in 'please, please, please...' will understand.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Smiths: Hatful Of Hollow, August 9, 2004

By 

Moz Marr "Smith" (Mt. Laurel, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hatful of Hollow (Audio CD)

The Smiths released their second album, Hatful Of Hollow, in November of 1984. The album is basically a compilation, consisting of two BBC sessions (John Peel, 9/21/83 and 4/7/83),
as well as singles released from the previous album and unreleased tracks. The album is worth it simply because of guitarist Johnny Marr's stunning guitar work alone.

1. William, It Was Really Nothing: The album kicks off with one of The Smiths' new singles. A short and upbeat song, it contains the funny "fat girl" verse.

2. What Difference Does It Make (BBC): This song doesn't differ too much of the album version, but it is still a great song.

3. These Things Take Time (BBC): A song that was left off of the debut album in favour of Still Ill, it is a fast song with tight lyrics.

4. This Charming Man (BBC): The BBC version of this single is fantastic. Everything runs well in this song, it is one of the best of this album.

5. How Soon Is Now?: Arguably The Smiths most famous song, this is what gave the band the push they needed during their early years, proving that the band were no one-hit wonders. A long single with a unique sound that only The Smiths can provide.

6. Handsome Devil (BBC): An underrated song which was on the Troy Tate version of the debut album. Morrissey again faces controversy with the lyrics of the song. Is it controversial? You decide.

7. Hand In Glove: The Hatful Of Hollow version of this song was the original single used. In the beginning it fades in, surely a limp start to such a great, hard-rocking track. It was remixed by producer John Porter for the The Smiths debut album.

8. Still Ill (BBC): This version includes a harmonica both at the beginning and the end of the song. It gives the song a strange feel, wouldn't you agree?

9. Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now: What a great song the band chose for their single. The music is great and the lyrics are excellent. This is a song that will never tire you out from listening.

10. This Night Has Opened My Eyes (BBC): This BBC version is the only version of this song to be released. Such an underrated song.

11. You've Got Everything Now (BBC): A very good song, it doesn't differ greatly from the album version.

12. Accept Yourself (BBC): Some silly lyrics with a surprisingly average performance from Marr proves that this is just a normal B-Side.

13. Girl Afraid: You will listen to this song over and over again, since the guitar and bass lines are perfect together.

14. Back To The Old House (BBC): You will find this song better than the original album version due to Marr's guitar and Morrissey's lyrics.

15. Reel Around The Fountain (BBC): A great song, it is equal to the album version.

16. Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want: This song is extremely short, but it will touch you unlike any other way. What a tremendous song.

Overall, a nice album to fit in between the solid debut and the third album, this is really one that you can't leave behind. The BBC versions are truly amazing, as well as the other songs on this album. You will love "How Soon Is Now?". I definitely recommend this album to music fans. You will love it.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AN ALL-TIME ESSENTIAL ALBUM, June 25, 2004

By 

Coleen "frankie-machine" (Down in the alley) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hatful of Hollow (Audio CD)

One of the greatest albums of all-time...extra appealing because most of it is lo-fi, but beautifully lo-fi. Every song is a masterpiece of intelligent vulnerable British pop music. The music, written by Johnny Marr, is brilliantly melodic. The words are worthy of Oscar Wilde, one of lyricist Morrissey's major influences, along with early 60's black and white British working class films like Taste of Honey (snatches of dialogue from this film can be found in the lyrics to This Night Has Opened My Eyes, an extremely powerful song). This album is the greatest Smiths album, and that's saying a LOT, since every Smiths album was BRILLIANT. The Smiths recording career lasted from 1984-1987, but they were extremely prolific. This was their second release, technically a collection of radio recordings and singles, but it works perfectly as an album with its own theme.