Hatful of Hollow

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The Smiths tend to be thought of as a band one grows out of--music you listened to as a depressed adolescent and then abandoned when you overcame it all. Such a notion denies them their place in the rock pantheon, not only as an inspiration to countless indie-rock outfits but also as the band that challenged the received wisdom of rock & roll machismo. Fronted by the fey, sexually ambiguous Steven Patrick Morrissey, who married painfully honest lyrics--almost embarrassing in their self-effacement--with arch humor and a melancholic delivery, the British band was quite an anomaly to an America still emerging from the bloated-rock tyranny of the likes of Journey and REO Speedwagon. Hatful of Hollow, released as an import in 1984 and domestically in 1993, is a collection of singles, many recorded live for various radio shows. More-muscular versions of most of the tracks here can be found on the collection Louder Than Bombs, but Hatful has a vitality to it that the studio-bound, somewhat antiseptic Bombs lacks. Check out Johnny Marr's delicate acoustic guitar on the aching "Back to the Old House" or the band's looser workouts of such now-classics as "This Charming Man" and "Still Ill." Two songs not found on other albums make this a must for fans: "Handsome Devil" and "Accept Yourself," a bouncy, jangly number on which Morrissey croons convincingly, "Others conquered love, but I ran / I sat in my room and I drew up a plan." Perfect music for your awkward inner child. --Steve Landau --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Hatful of Hollow
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Catching Up With The Smiths

A landmark for eighties music

Because of Marr & Rourke, let Morissey get what he wants

How Ignorant Some of the New Listeners Are...

Comprehensive Early Smiths (Not just for the "limp-writsted")

Hatful of Hollow
The Smiths
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Smiths

Meat Is Murder

The Queen is Dead

Strangeways, Here We Come

Louder Than Bombs

ASIN: B000002MIF
Release Date: 1993-11-09

Tracks:

William, It Was Really Nothing
What Difference Does It Make?
These Things Take Time
This Charming Man
How Soon Is Now?
Handsome Devil
Hand In Glove
Still Ill
Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now
This Night Has Opened My Eyes
You've Got Everything Now
Accept Yourself
Girl Afraid
Back To The Old House
Reel Around The Fountain
Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want

Amazon.com

The Smiths tend to be thought of as a band one grows out of--music you listened to as a depressed adolescent and then abandoned when you overcame it all. Such a notion denies them their place in the rock pantheon, not only as an inspiration to countless indie-rock outfits but also as the band that challenged the received wisdom of rock & roll machismo. Fronted by the fey, sexually ambiguous Steven Patrick Morrissey, who married painfully honest lyrics--almost embarrassing in their self-effacement--with arch humor and a melancholic delivery, the British band was quite an anomaly to an America still emerging from the bloated-rock tyranny of the likes of Journey and REO Speedwagon. Hatful of Hollow, released as an import in 1984 and domestically in 1993, is a collection of singles, many recorded live for various radio shows. More-muscular versions of most of the tracks here can be found on the collection Louder Than Bombs, but Hatful has a vitality to it that the studio-bound, somewhat antiseptic Bombs lacks. Check out Johnny Marr's delicate acoustic guitar on the aching "Back to the Old House" or the band's looser workouts of such now-classics as "This Charming Man" and "Still Ill." Two songs not found on other albums make this a must for fans: "Handsome Devil" and "Accept Yourself," a bouncy, jangly number on which Morrissey croons convincingly, "Others conquered love, but I ran / I sat in my room and I drew up a plan." Perfect music for your awkward inner child. --Steve Landau

Customer Reviews:

Catching Up With The Smiths.......2007-04-05

Hatful of Hollow was a compilation thrown together shortly after The Smiths' self-titled debut in order to curb demand until the band could finish recording Meat Is Murder. "Accept Yourself" and "Handsome Devil" are the only tracks that don't appear on other Smiths albums, however it should be noted that they alone are well worth the price of this CD. Most of the songs are a little rough around the edges due to their live recordings, with the exception of "Back To The Old House". Musically, this version is better suited to Morrisey's sad lyrics (See Louder Than Bombs for the studio version), and it offers a rare glimpse of Marr's skills on the acoustic guitar. While Hatful is a nice collection of some of the band's best music, I prefer the more polished versions available elsewhere.

A landmark for eighties music.......2005-12-07

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 was, 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 sexuallity.... 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 of his feelings and those lyrics often reminded me that I was not the only one out there suffering. As unbelieveable as it may sound, this band actually saved my life, and it's hard to speak objectively of such an influence.

In short, they were magic. Anyone who has been truly desperate and heard the hope and optimism in 'please, please, please...' will understand what I mean.

Because of Marr & Rourke, let Morissey get what he wants.......2005-10-09

What difference does it make? Without Johnny Marr, a lot. One can argue the same for bassist Andy Rourke. The rhythm section so very tight, singer, Morissey's usual self-involved insipidness becomes confessional, frustrated and inspired. You might think he's revealing the secrets of the universe through a rock, post-wave lense. He's no more convincing than when he sings "I crack the whip and you skip", against a menacing Marr guitar line. Or try the layered guitar tremolo lead to this declaration, "I am the son and the heir, of nothing in particular". Hell, even in context, lines like, "there's more to life than books, but not much more," seems like aphorisms. In the end the music's so good you end up rooting for Morissey. Please let him get what he wants. Ok, but I hope you thanked Mr. Marr and Mr. Rourke.

How Ignorant Some of the New Listeners Are..........2005-10-06

It's obvious that people who will say The Smiths as a band for gay people just goes to show how ignorant these new emo kids are to yesterday's music.These emo kids were prolly in their primary school when The Smiths came out of the British scene in the 80s. I should know because I was in High School back in the 80s when The Smiths first hit the NME charts with their first album. I'm a straight guy, along with five of my buddies who are into The Smiths long before these EMO kids learned to pop a CD in a sound system. Anyways...I just get a bit upset when people begin judging a band simply because the singer represented a specific community. Hey I like This Charming Man because it does have some of the best lyrics. This Night Has Opened My Eyes is another.

This is a good album. It's probably the best album they ever made. They have a Peel Session version of "Still Ill", has an interesting harmonica intro. Other songs are "How Soon is Now" and "Girl Afraid." This is an album that you should definitely buy if you want to listen The Smith's best years. Take note of Johnny Marr's guitar-playing here and Rourke's bass playing. Fantastic. Spend your money on this. By the way, I still have my vinyl version of this album. Mint condition. To new listeners who are just discovering the music of MY generation, get this album. You will cherish it.

Comprehensive Early Smiths (Not just for the "limp-writsted").......2005-08-12

You can't go wrong with this album if you love the Smiths, it has tracks you can't find anywhere else and is a good introduction to the band's early period.

Message to "Shotgun Method": If you actually think that the primary fan base for the Smiths and Morrissey are "limp-wristed emo kids (your tasteless homo-baiting is telling)," you truly are uninformed. In reality, Morrissey has a shockingly huge number of straight male fans. And females, like me, while we're at it. Not to mention his extreme popularity with Latinos. Make these comments to some of his rough-looking, intimidating fans (there is one in particular at the end of the "Who Put the M in Manchester" DVD) at your own peril. I guess you thought that it was a sure bet to make the "all Morrissey/Smiths fans are gay" statement, but, no. Incidentially, Michael Stipe is a huge Morrissey fan. And Robert Smith (who I also love) is famously jealous.

New listeners--don't listen to people who say the Smiths are "gay!" If you aren't moved by Morrissey's unmatched vocal delivery, I don't want to know you.

Average customer rating:

Hatful of Hollow
The Smiths
Manufacturer: Wea Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Queen Is Dead
The Smiths
Strangeways, Here We Come
Louder Than Bombs
Meat Is Murder

ASIN: B000GW88T2
Release Date: 2006-09-25

Tracks:

William, It Was Really Nothing
What Difference Does It Make?
These Things Take Time
This Charming Man
How Soon Is Now?
Handsome Devil
Hand in Glove
Still Ill
Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now
This Night Has Opened My Eyes
You've Got Everything Now
Accept Yourself
Girl Afraid
Back to the Old House
Reel Around the Fountain
Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want

Album Description

Exclusive Japanese limited edition reissue of their 1984 compilation album, packaged in a miniature LP sleeve. 16 tracks including singles sides like 'William It Was Really Nothing', 'How Soon Is Now', 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now' and 'Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want' plus BBC versions of key tracks from their debut album. 2006.

Album Details

Japanese Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.

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