This week marks the 30th anniversary of the release of an incredibly significant album: The Smiths by (you guessed it) The Smiths. Released on February 20th, 1984, the debut album of the British band peaked at number two on the U.K. charts. It was released during a time where alternative rock was, for the most part, dominated by synth-oriented new wave. Inspired by both the British Invasion and punk, the unique sound that came from the album blazed a trail for the guitar-centric rock that would dominate the alternative music scene in both the U.S. and the U.K. in the following decades.

The uniqueness of the album (and the band itself) is mainly indebted to guitarist Johnny Marr and lead singer Morrissey. Marr’s jangly, chiming guitar and Morrissey’s passionate singing are what really stand out. Marr and Morrissey are also responsible for the songwriting, Marr composing the often unconventional songs (few of them subscribe to typical verse-chorus structure) and Morrissey writing the often profound lyrics. The result is a remarkable album that is rightly considered to be one of the most influential musical efforts of the 1980’s. So, if you haven’t already, try giving it a listen in honor of its 30th birthday.