Smiths, The - "Rank (Live)" - COMPACT DISC VG/VG

The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982, composed of Morrissey (vocals), Johnny Marr (guitar), Andy Rourke (bass) and Mike Joyce (drums). Morrissey and Marr formed the band's songwriting partnership. The Smiths are regarded as one of the most important British bands and one of the pioneers of 1980s independent music.

The Smiths signed to the independent label Rough Trade Records in 1983 and released their debut album, The Smiths, in 1984. Their focus on a guitar, bass and drum sound, fusing art rock and post-punk, was a rejection of the synth-pop sound predominant at the time. Several of the band's singles reached the top 20 of the UK singles chart, and all their studio albums reached the top five of the UK Albums Chart, including the number-one album Meat Is Murder (1985). The band achieved mainstream success in Europe with The Queen Is Dead (1986) and Strangeways, Here We Come (1987), which both entered the top 20 of the European Albums Chart.[1]

In 1986, the Smiths briefly expanded to a five-piece with the addition of guitarist Craig Gannon, but internal tensions eventually led to their breakup the following year. The split was followed by heavily publicised lawsuits over royalties, and the band members have consistently rejected numerous offers to reunite in the years since. The bassist Andy Rourke died in 2023.

Rank is the only official live album by the English band the Smiths. It was released in September 1988, a year after the band's breakup, through Rough Trade Records, and reached No. 2 in the British charts. In the USA, the album was released on Sire Records and made No. 77.

All tracks written by Johnny Marr and Morrissey except "His Latest Flame" (Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman), "The Draize Train" (Marr) and the very beginning of "The Queen Is Dead" where an audio recording of Sergei Prokofiev's classical piece "Montagues and Capulets" was played to introduce the band.

Side one

No. Title Length

1. "The Queen Is Dead" 4:11

2. "Panic" 3:07

3. "Vicar in a Tutu" 2:40

4. "Ask" 3:12

5. "His Latest Flame/Rusholme Ruffians" (Medley) 3:55

6. "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side" 3:47

7. "Rubber Ring/What She Said" (Medley) 3:41

Side two

No. Title Length

8. "Is It Really So Strange?" 3:45

9. "Cemetry Gates" 2:50

10. "London" 2:38

11. "I Know It's Over" 7:49

12. "The Draize Train" 4:23

13. "Still Ill" 4:09

14. "Bigmouth Strikes Again" 5:51

Artist: The Smiths

Album: "Rank (Live)" 

Format: COMPACT DISC

Grade: VG/VG

Grades: CD Booklet + inserts/media.

Generally cosmetic and I will indicate if something plays less than flawless.

I will do my best to send uncracked jewel cases but grades are regarding the booklet and rear jewel case. All CDs guaranteed to not skip unless notes.

3rd Floor Tapes

www.3rdfloortapes.com