"Complete" is a comprehensive box set compilation by the English rock band The Smiths, released by Rhino Records on September 26, 2011. This extensive collection includes the band's four studio albums—The Smiths (featuring "This Charming Man" as per the original US release), Meat Is Murder, The Queen Is Dead, and Strangeways, Here We Come—alongside their only live album, Rank, and the three compilation albums released during their active years: Hatful of Hollow, The World Won't Listen, and Louder Than Bombs.
Available in standard CD and LP formats, the box set comprises eight CDs or eight LPs. Additionally, a deluxe version offers both CD and LP formats along with 25 seven-inch vinyl singles and a DVD, making it an essential collection for fans of the band and a significant tribute to their influential legacy.
The Complete box set by The Smiths features meticulously remastered versions of their albums, with liner notes highlighting that each was sourced from original tape and remastered by Frank Arkwright, with assistance from Johnny Marr at Metropolis Studios in London. The CD discs are presented in miniature vinyl replica sleeves, showcasing restored artwork, including that of The World Won't Listen.
Gary Lancaster managed the project, drawing from his experience on other notable releases. Marr expressed his satisfaction with the remastering process, emphasizing his desire to ensure the albums sound as they originally did, free from excess processing. This careful attention to detail ensures that both new listeners and longtime fans can appreciate the band's work in its best form.
The cover art for the Complete box set features a striking image of four unknown women at a fairground, captured by German photographer Jürgen Vollmer in the early 1960s. This photograph was previously used on the back cover of The World Won't Listen. Morrissey felt a connection between the girls in the photo and the band members themselves, adding a layer of personal resonance to the artwork. The choice reflects The Smiths' aesthetic sensibilities, merging nostalgia with a sense of identity.
