10 80s Albums That Changed Rock Music

In the decade of synth pop, hair metal and new wave, the Smiths cut a distinctive sound. The morose croon of Morrissey's vocal mournings painted a bleak picture of England. In his eyes, the country was a dreary place long passed its glory days. Life was meaningless to Morrissey, he mourned the loss of traditional anglicism and showed distain for all the conventions of society. Morrissey felt like a man belonging to a decade that never excited.

Contrast this with the guitar genius of Johnny Marr, who's influences were as hard to pin down as they were wide ranging. His upbeat note-filled guitar melodies all but created jangle pop, while simultaneously spawning British indie rock. The group's debut, married these seemingly opposing forces in a yin and yang type harmony.

Marr proved you could use a litany of intricate notes without appearing overtly flashy. Morrissey redefined the notion of a rock star. Male vocalists could be in touch with their emotions; songs could be deep philosophical explorations of the meaning of life, as well as pop hits. Say what you like about the guy, but Morrissey helped shaped the course of British indie and alternative music to no end.