Although recorded in 1986, the live album "Rank" was only released in 1988, a year after The Smiths had split up, and the concert it was taken from had earlier been part of a broadcast on BBC Radio One. The title apparently comes from J Arthur Rank, which is Cockney rhyming slang.....
I'm not really sure why I bought the album as there was little in the way of new songs on it, just live versions of songs I already had, and my memory was that these were mostly faithfully adhered to, without any of the extended guitar solos, improvised jamming or dare I say it, tedious drum solos, which are often associated with live albums.
The bass line in "Rusholme Ruffians" was accused of being stolen from Elvis' "His Latest Flame" and the live version on "Rank" begins with the first two verses from the Elvis song, before seguing into the rockabilly "Rusholme Ruffians".
The instrumental "The Draize Train" was the only other track I didn't previously have, being a B-Side to "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others", which was only released as a single in Germany
Of the lesser know tracks "Is it Really So Strange ?" was the B-side to "Sheila Take A Bow" whilst "Rubber Ring" and "London" were on "The World Won't Listen" compilation. There were five songs from "The Queen Is Dead" album, three from "Meat Is Murder", one from "The Smiths" plus two non-album singles. I don't think I played the album very often.
Listening to the album again I can safely say that this would not be a good introduction for anyone new to The Smiths' material, and they would be much better off sticking to the studio versions. The main issue with "Rank" is that musically it is just electric guitars, bass, drums and voice, and apart from the exception of "I Know It's Over", played at the same fast pace, and generally has a tinny sound. There is none of the rich variety of the studio albums eg acoustic guitars, keyboards, harmonica etc and some of Morrissey's histrionic yelps, exaggerated crooning, growls and squeals are rather irritating. Furthermore the production values make it sound like it was recorded in a toilet.
In summary, "Rank" is an album best avoided......
Track Listing :
Side One :
1. The Queen Is Dead
2. Panic
3. Vicar In A Tutu
4. Ask
5. His Latest Flame/Rusholme Ruffians
6. The Boy With A Thorn In His Side
7. Rubber Ring/What She Said
1. Is It Really So Strange ?
2. Cemetry Gates
3. London
4. I Know Its Over
5. The Draize Train
6. Still Ill
7. Bigmouth Strikes Again
Released : 1988
UK Chart Position : 2
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