Masterful debut album by Morrissey, Johnny Marr, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce aka The Smiths. Produced by John Porter and recorded at multiple studios in Manchester and London in 1983.

Yes, I still listen to The Smiths even if Morrissey is problematic. This is a fantastic debut – not necessarily my favorite single Smiths record, but so much of what makes them great is already here.

My copy—via a record fair at Mill No. 5 in Lowell MA—is a 1984 US pressing on Sire / RoughTrade, pressed at Specialty Records.