Rank [LIVE]

The Smiths

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: September 13, 1988
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000002LFL
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #84,567 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Way above average live-album, September 26, 1999

By A Customer

First: The only reason this album did not get a five-star rating, is that this is a Smiths album, and as such, must live up to some pretty high standards. Now, the Smiths were without doubt the greatest band of the eighties (and one of my all time favourites), and had a reputation for being a huge live-attraction. Now, unfortunately, I never had a chance to catch their live acts (primarily because they split up when I was ten years old), but I do imagine that some piece of their worth as a live band were due to Morrisseys enigmatic stage performance, which isn't easily transformed to a sound recording. That said, all the band members were (are) excellant musicians, as this album is a proof of. Now, to summarize my thoughts about this album:

For:

-It's the Smiths, it must be good. (and it is)

-Good sound quality. Far superior to the bootlegs I have heard.

-Some of the songs are featured in great live versions. This recording of The Queen is dead really opened my eyes, I mean ears, to this song. The studio version of the song had never really appealed to me. Until this one.

-The Draze Train. Amazing intrumental tune. Awesome performance by Marr (as always).

Against:

-Less than great song selections. Vicar in a tutu, Ask, Rushholme ruffians and London have never been among my favourite Smiths-songs, though this version of Vicar is in my opinion far superior to the studio one.

-Less than great live versions of some of the songs. I much prefer the regular album versions of What she said, I know it's over and Bigmouth.

-Though backed by secondary guitarist Carig Gannon, Marr doesn't achieve the amazing guitar-tracks as he does when layering guitars on the studio-album. Still, Marr allways performs well, and this is no exception.

So, if you are a Smiths fan, you already own this album. If not, you are going to buy it tomorrow. If you like the Smiths, but aren't a diehard-fan, then I'd still recommend this album. You won't be disapointed. If you are new to the Smiths, get The Queen is Dead or Louder than Bombs instead (and then get all the others). If you hate the Smiths, then go get the new remixes of Modern Talkings greatest instead.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good but too short..., September 10, 2003

By	Patrick Lafontaine "peppersquirt" (Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am on of the biggest Smiths fans there is. And yes, you must get this if you are a fan. But, you can't help but wonder why (especially on cd) why Morrissey (apparently, he decided what songs were to go on this album) skipped out on many great tracks that the Smiths played on this night.

Songs like: "Frankly, Mr. Shankly" , "There is a light that never goes out", "I want the one I can't have", "How soon is now?" and others were sadly omitted. The overall sound is very good but you can't help but feel like your being swindled here. I hope "they" decide to release another live album to make up for "Rank".

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great selection live, February 7, 2008

By	M. Turakhia - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Hard to believe it's been 20 years since the release of this album, which came out after the band disbanded and just before Morrissey ventured out on his own.

This is not a "must have" but showcases some of the Smiths' best work (albeit mostly from The Queen is Dead).

Recording quality is average.