I don't have that album, but a friend of mine played Back to the old house from it to me once, and I just stood there not being able to speak, it was really awesome. I don't normally like covers too much, but this rendition of one of my favourite Smiths songs left me shivering with delight.
Thanks a lot!!!

I was talking to a friend today about the musical demographic of people who like Morrissey/Smiths and we came to the conclusion that is really pretty wide.

It ranges traditionally from the goths, through to the 1980s indie kids, through to the followers of "twee", through to peole who like punk, through to deftones fans and so on (including little musical taste niches which don't have names yet, and people who just like Morrissey). However, we were looking on http://www.launch.com at what Smiths/Moz fans also listened to and were surprised to see people like Elton John coming up.

So the lesson here is this. You share your tastes with people with pretty wide preferences in music. Some of them are bound to hate what you do.

The other thing is that there's something about the internet that can make people much ruder than they are in person. Never take anything anyone says here seriously!

Many years ago in Washington, D.C. (so my little pile of press clippings says) there was a Smiths tribute night by various D.C. punk bands, headlined by Fugazi, if I remember. I never heard a single note from that show, but something the reviewer said about the show came back to me when I first listened to "The World Still Won't Listen". He said that, while the level of seriousness among the bands performing at the concert differed widely (as Jon also says), there was kind of an attempt to wage a war on The Smiths' songs-- and the songs won. What came through was the material, not the bands.

The same is true of "The World Still Won't Listen". Ultimately what comes through is the sheer brilliance and craftsmanship of each track, regardless of whether it was being covered as a genuine tribute or as a parody. Hearing The Smiths stretched, pulled, abused, caressed, punched, kicked, spat upon, and handled with wild perversity was a thrill. Some of the tracks are dreadful, and would be considered so even by fans of hardcore, but a few standouts, like Lament's, and also H20's blistering (and hilarious) "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now", are as good as any cover version of The Smiths put out by any artist at any time.

I remember, in high school, going to a party to which the hostess had invited some backyard cover band to play. They were these four quasi-goth kids, all very nice, apparently, and they were playing this insanely drippy version of "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side", really, you know, *feeling* every moment, like a quartet of adolescents collectively uttering one big sigh. You can't imagine how boring that was, and how much of a disservice it was to Morrissey and Marr. For anyone who doesn't understand the humor, anger, and violence inherent in nearly every single Smiths track-- like those four schmucks at that party didn't-- listen to "Rank" again while staring at the gatefold picture.

Why should we be so protective of The Smiths? I say let the punks run roughshod over The Smiths-- The Smiths won't be diminished one bit and we all might gain some fresh perspective about our favorite band. The Smiths, after all, come from the anger, if not the aesthetics, of the punk scene and most of the bands on "The World Still Won't Listen" really caught that vibe.

I think it's a fantastic compilation with, like any other of its kind, both good and bad moments. It is far preferable to any other collection of Smiths covers available. Jon's contribution, like the other standout tracks, translates into an American idiom what had been uniquely British, and that is treasurable. Someone in the liner notes mentions something about working like, "I chose this song because who hasn't hated their job?"-- we get to see The Smiths' universality, which is what Morrissey and Marr intended from day one. Hearing American kids express the same feelings and thoughts is priceless.

Speaking of Morrissey and Marr's intentions, let's not forget that they originally conceived of their partnership as a songwriting duo that would write material for other people. Thank God that idea didn't take. But that initial impulse gives the songs great versatility and richness, and we shouldn't criticize the artists who make a real effort to rework the songs in their own style. The songs can be reinterpreted in many different ways-- that's why they are indisputably great. Consider the million-and-one ways The Beatles, The Who, The Stones, and The Kinks are covered.

Sorry to rant a bit, but Jon did us all a big service in helping make the compilation happen and I, for one, am very grateful. The negative reaction among Morrissey fans has always mystified me. "The World Still Won't Listen" is proudly placed right alongside the rest of my Smiths CDs and will remain so. Thanks Jon!

Back to the Old House is possibly the only reason to get that compilation. Beautiful voice, beautiful voice.....brings you to your knees

Are you kidding me? This album is spectacular! How could any Moz fan Not like it? Oh wait, we're talking about Morrissey fans, I forgot again. *Hating Morrissey fans at the moment* Anyway, every track on the album is simply alive (except: 'You're Gonna Need Someone On Your Side'). I think we would all be better off Without that track, it just sucks. Whenever I'm sick of feeling down, which is more frequently these days, I put on that album and life pumps, as it should! Excellent compilation, let's do it again!!! But I have one small request, could you have someone cover the song, "Oh Well, I'll Never Learn"? It would be much appreciated. (MOVE OVER MORRISSEY, RELINQUISH THE THROWN TO THE RIGHTFUL HEIR!! ME!!!)

I recently got the album for Christmas after searching for it since I heard of it's very existence, and I must say it is one of the most fun albums I own! Thank you for your brilliant work, Liam (my friend who actually purchased the album) and I actually thought you were Moz on the first listen.

Yeah, I'm a great Smiths'Morrissey's fan since 1985 and a friend of mine gave me this album as a gift some years ago.... He said: "I don't know if you'll like..." Well, of course there is some crap, but most of the covers are pretty good, back to the old house is top 3 and the album is really, really good... I don't want somebody playing the song in the same way Smiths did it... Cover is to play the music with your style and so you did it... What about a Morrissey tribute now?

I bought this album years back after seeing it. I am also not a huge fan of covers but I thought that the bands that were on would take it seriously enough to make it worth the purchase. 'Back to the old house' is reason enough to buy the cd. There were a few others but nothing as close as BTTOH. I don't suggest buying the album since most devoted Smiths fans will hate it. I don't like it myself and don't ever listen to it. I am glad to hear from one of the bands that were on it. I was very appriciative that it from the best band on there. I'm glad that there was time made to discuss the album since it had a lot of contraversy associated with it. I personally thank you for taking the project seriously. You covered such a great song and did it with such class and respect, behalf of me and all Smiths fan, we all thank you!

The album rocks like a crack house. Don't get me wrong, it has its weak points, but then again, what was kill uncle?

someone from this site hated it so much he/she gave it to me. thank you again! I particularly liked "what she said" by youth brigade.