The Smiths

After Hatful of Hollow, The World Won't Listen, Louder Than Bombs, the two Bests, Singles and The Very Best of the Smiths, does there really need to be another Smiths collection? Why, yes, there does. What The Sound of the Smiths accomplishes that none of the previous compilations have done for the Smiths catalogue is not only the remastering of the band's hits to make them sound vibrant and polished but also collect some material that was previously only available as B-sides. That's the deluxe edition, but if you're any kind of completist the extra money is worth it. Released with the permission and involvement of both Morrissey (who named it) and Marr (who mastered it), The Sound is a definitive look at the band's five years atop the UK's flourishing music scene in the '80s. Everything expected is in here: the first disc includes the obvious hits, as well as single versions of "Hand in Glove" and "The Boy With the Thorn In His Side." The second disc features standout B-sides such as "Jeane" and "Stretch Out and Wait," as well as "Handsome Devil" performed live at the Haçienda in 1983. This collection is as essential as any Smiths record, including The Queen Is Dead.