After guitarist Johnny Marr left the Smiths in 1986, remaining members Andy Rourke, Mike Joyce and Morrissey attempted to soldier on without him. They recruited Ivor Perry, formerly of the band Easterhouse, to take his place and set about recording a follow-up to 1987's 'Strangeways, Here We Come.' Perry is a fine player, and the four might have come away with a decent record, but it wouldn't have been a Smiths album. The group's sound depended on both Moz's overwrought lyrics and vocals and Marr's singular playing, which was about more than mere jangle. Eventually, the sessions broke down, and Morrissey "ran screaming from the room," according to Perry. After that, the band split, Morrissey went solo and the world was spared something it'll never endure: a Smiths album that's less than brilliant.

More From Diffuser.fm