What makes Smiling at Grief by Twelfth Night notable?

This album helped solidify Twelfth Night's reputation, particularly among the neo-progressive rock movement that emerged during the early 1980s. While it didn't achieve mainstream commercial success, critical reception highlighted its artistic ambition and emotional resonance, influencing subsequent bands in the genre. Smiling at Grief is Twelfth Night's debut studio album, released in December 1981, following their successful EP 'The Ceiling Speaks.' At this point, the band was establishing themselves within the UK progressive rock scene, transitioning from their well-received live performances to a recorded format that showcased their complex compositions and lyrical depth.