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Best... 1 Lyrics, Smiths

Best... 1 Lyrics, SmithsMassive stars in England and top-tier alternative rockers in the U.S., the Smiths combined a '60s pop sensibility with '80s ennui. Though singer Morrissey is most notorious--his lyrics read like jottings from an overly sensitive teenager's diary while his narcissistic poses are pure Oscar Wilde--the band was rooted firmly in the crystalline, shimmering guitar work of Johnny Marr. For the most part, the Smiths were a singles band, often leaving key tracks off their studio albums. In which case, a number of collections serve to capture the errant wonder of "Panic" and "William, It Was Really Nothing." The two-LPs-condensed-onto-one-disc Louder than Bombs is more comprehensive, but the two-volume best-of collections--lead by this 14-song set--have much to commend. Either way, this is as definitive as '80s Brit pop gets. --Rob O'Connor

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