No alternatives. This is a french / english mustard type debate. Needs a reason for one over the other, obviously & a favourite track. (Track could be a cover by another band too). No other choices. (People are welcome to set up other threads, but this is the Daddy. x
I would have to say The Smiths. I wasn't a huge fan, I only really liked a handful of their songs but a good few of my mates loved them back then so the songs hold some fantastic memories for me.
Disappointed in the result so far. I knew David Gedge & some of the Weddo's in the 90's. I just listened to two LP's {George Best & Sea Monsters). They are very good. Both bands would get 1/2 in the top ten 80's. Hard call though, with Joy Division, New Order, Teardrop Explodes, Nick Cave (in all guises), Go-Betweens, Souixsie, etc
The Wedding Present were a good band. I saw them a few times. But they were musically pretty limited in my view. Not exactly complicated chord progressions, although they could strum very very fast. Lyrics were evocative which kind of made you think the music was better than it really was and Gedge's charm made up for musical limitations. I liked them. Johnny Marr's guitar work on the other hand is clearly a class above (to anyone who can play a bit, like me). I was a Smiths' fan from a musical point of view but Morrissey sort of annoyed me at times, I never got why he was revered in some quarters. But Marr was unequivocally clever and talented at the highest level.
Both in my all time top 10 and part of the soundtrack of my youth. On balance, for sheer energy and prolific output of manic, moshable, melodic melancholy it’s the Weddoes by a short nose. Take Me (I’m Yours) is a perfect storm of Weddo lovelorn angst.
Enjoy The Smiths but this would be The Wedding Present by a country mile for me. One of my top 3 bands. So many favourites to choose from but "Don't Laugh" from George Best Plus and "Don't Talk, Just Kiss" would be the first two I'd choose. David Gedge is a song writing genius.
For me the Smiths legacy has been tainted by Morrissey becoming a massive bit of gammon which is ironic for such a vociferous vegetarian, Johnny Marr has at least retained some dignity. Wedding Present have given me some good tunes, Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft and a few more from George Best especially.
Love The Smiths, but Seamonsters could very well be my favourite album of all time. It's just phenomenal. Everything about it. Think the Melody Maker described it as having your ears sandpapered. WTF did they ever know.
Just about The Smiths despite Morrissey doing his best to ruin them for all sensible humans (New Johnny Marr album is very Smithslike) but the Weddoes are brilliant. Excellent lyrically and both Seamonsters and George Best are fantastic albums. If anyone gets the chance go to The Edge of the Sea Festival they run in Brighton every August. Been every year so far and off again on the 11th always a great weekend.
To try and keep at least some relationship with football, Frankly Mr. Shankly it’s The Smiths for me.
Musically its a close call for me but Morrissey is a major gammon which loses them many points. Kennedy is one of my favs of all time. And I met Mr Gedge once and he seemed like a nice bloke.