The Smiths-The Queen Is Dead (1986)

Experts at producing pop songs that combined the energy of classic rock with poignant and poetic lyrics, The Smiths were one of the leading bands of British pop-rock in the mid-eighties. The face of this band was vocalist Morrissey, who, along with his right-hand man, guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke, and drummer Mike Joyce, managed to reclaim the importance of simple songs, moving away from the modern keyboards and elaborate technological arrangements so prevalent in pop music during the eighties.After releasing prominent and biting songs like "What Difference Does It Make", from their self-titled debut album, "The Smiths" (1984), came their third album, "Meat Is Murder" (1985), preceded by the singles compilation "Hatful of Hollow" (1985), which showcased a continuation of their earlier style with tracks of clear guitar-driven pop. A year later, they released their definitive work, "The Queen Is Dead", showcasing a cleaner, more refined sound of exquisite pop with tracks like "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side", "Bigmouth Strikes Again", and "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out". A number two spot on the British charts earned them their first platinum record and also their first gold record in the notoriously difficult North American market.