1. Sappy, overwrought, etc. The addition of mooing cows is simply absurd. Even discounting the lyrics and sound effects, it's a dull dirge and a terrible way to end the album.
2. I love the first album, too. "Reel Around the Fountain" is my favorite Smiths song.
3. As mentioned, Your Arsenal and Vauxhall & I. Kinetic said Bona Drag, which I never got around to hearing myself, but is supposedly worthwhile.
4. Five on each side, I imagine. I've never looked at a vinyl copy of that album, but it's a safe guess.
The point, however, is SHWC really falls off for me in the second half, with "Unhappy Birthday" being the nadir. "Paint a Vulgar Picture" is good, though.