So, The Smiths make their debut album and it's dead good, maybe even great, but it's a bit dodgily produced, and some of the tracks are a bit long, and some of the lyrics are iffy, and the track listing is not perfect, and the guitar sounds awful, not to mention the bloody organ. They aren't really happy, but it's a bit late for all that.

Fast forward to a short time later, The Smiths have loads of songs they want out, and the fans want to buy some more. This is what came out of it, a collection of radio sessions, b-sides and the like which somehow captures the spirit of the early Smiths far better than their eponymous debut. The tracks work better together, the guitar is more effective and the vocals are simply outstanding. If you just compare the songs on both albums, I'm sure there is only one winner. Hatful Of Hollow is one of the best Smiths albums.

'This Charming Man' was The Smiths first proper hit single, and it's in fine form here, as is 'Reel Around The Fountain', in stripped down format it's much more effective as the closer here than as the opening track on 'The Smiths'. 'This Night Has Opened My Eyes' is probably the best song not on a Smiths studio album, and 'William, It Was Really Nothing' is the perfect two-minute pop single, embracing the old whilst creating the new. And if that wan't enough,The Smiths' most famous single cut 'How Soon Is Now?' is in the middle somewhere, although I'm not a big fan, it fits in a damn sight better here than it does on Meat Is Murder.

Anyway, just buy it.


[Hope this is okay, not sure what exactly is meant to be posted in here.]