Smiths: Rank

"For many Smiths fans, Rank is what they can expect from a live performance by Morrissey, Johnny Marr and co. Recorded at the National Ballroom in London in October 1986, some six months before they disbanded, these 14 songs show the Smiths in full rock star mode. Although Grant Showbiz's production and engineering consistently places Morrissey's voice too loud in comparison to the rest of the band, the performance is suitably epic, full of hits and captivating. Morrissey is in fine form, warbling and crooning throughout and offering enough grandiloquent banter and personality that the fact that he's nearly out of breath halfway through the performance doesn't put a damper on the festivities." (AllMusic)