For five short years in the 1980s, a four-piece Manchester band released a collection of records that had undeniably profound effects on the landscape of popular music and beyond. Today, public and critical appreciation of The Smiths is at its height, yet the most important British band after The Beatles have rarely been subject to sustained academic scrutiny. Why Pamper Life’s Complexities?: Essays on The Smiths seeks to remedy this by bringing together diverse research disciplines to place the band in a series of enlightening social, cultural and political contexts as never before. Topics covered by the essays range from class, sexuality, Catholicism, Thatcherism, regional and national identities, to cinema, musical poetics, suicide and fandom.
Lyrics, interviews, the city of Manchester, cultural iconography and the cult of Morrissey are all considered anew. The essays breach the standard confines of music history, rock biography and pop culture studies to give a sustained critical analysis of the band that is timely and illuminating. This book will be of interest to scholars and students in the fields of sociology, literature, geography, cultural and media studies.
It is also intended for a wider audience of those interested in the enduring appeal of one of the most complex and controversial bands. Accessible and original, these essays will help to contextualise the lasting cultural legacy of The Smiths.
Essay 9 - "A Double Bed And A Stalwart Lover For Sure; The Smiths, The Death of Pop And The Not So Hidden Injuries Of Class. ----> Fantastic Essay, once again. Penned by: Colin Coulter.....Thank You... more
Essay 9 - "A Double Bed And A Stalwart Lover For Sure; The Smiths, The Death of Pop And The Not So Hidden Injuries Of Class. ----> Fantastic Essay, once again. Penned by: Colin Coulter.....Thank You Colin!
Reading about kitchen-sink dramas and their illustrious effect on Morrisseys lyrics. I knew of it before but this essay focusing, mainly, on a Taste of Honey, which is fab if you haven't seen... more
Reading about kitchen-sink dramas and their illustrious effect on Morrisseys lyrics. I knew of it before but this essay focusing, mainly, on a Taste of Honey, which is fab if you haven't seen it....really brings it home!
Gives essentially new understandings to those not from the UK/Ireland! I can't STRESS enough how important this book is for Fans of all ages to read & Re-Read!