80s Jams #21: The Smiths "How Soon Is Now" (1984)

Probably the most played Morrissey/ Marr song of all time, "How Soon Is Now?" is an epic throwback to '60s psychedelia, a lushly produced symphony of Johnny Marr guitar perfection, and perhaps the ultimate statement of Morrissey's bold miserablism. Morrissey exudes confident depression, foregoing the crooning whine present on so many of the band's early songs. Though it isn't necessarily indicative of the Smiths' general style, and though die-hard fans might feign disgust at those who instantly label it a favorite, "How Soon Is Now?" etches and rattles with a seemingly timeless sense of cool. So what if it was the first introduction to a mass audience across England's borders? So what if the song makes countless appearances across the band's discography? Any song at once so standoffish and yet so charming deserves as broad an audience as possible. -- Allmusic http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:3zfoxq9dld6e