Artist: Morrissey
Year: 1991
If you're asking yourself how I could possibly choose just one song from Moz, then prepare yourself to be disappointed. It wasn't all that difficult. Morrissey was one of the most important voices from my youth, and I thoroughly enjoyed his early solo singles as well. Songs like "Suedehead," "Everyday Is Like Sunday," "Interesting Drug" and "Hairdresser on Fire" led me to believe I would continue to enjoy his work for years to come. Didn't happen. I expect to hear from a few of my blogging pals for this one, but I would only recommend one album from Morrissey in the 1990s. 'Vauxhall and I' was better than the rest. Other than a couple of singles, that's it for me the entire decade.
Morrissey was still quite clever with a lyric. "Beware, I bear more grudges than lonely high court judges" pops into mind, and the tale told in "November Spawned a Monster" is so odd and off-putting that I couldn't help but be fascinated. The band, man, it's the band that I never took too. The music of Alain Whyte and Boz Boorer didn't (and doesn't) do it for me. Still, to completely shut out Morrissey wouldn't be right. I was still hopeful and somewhat content in 1990 and 1991. So, that's where I'm going with No. 72. This one is the opener from 'Kill Uncle,' produced by the team of Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley. Not a great album, but I really like this one. I don't think it's remembered all that fondly by most. It was a minor hit, but the first of several successive singles that didn't burn up the charts like the old days.
I hate that this post comes off so negatively. Morrissey is one of many casualties from a decade I don't rate highly, but I still consider Morrissey one of my favorites. I'm going to put on 'Bona Drag' or something from the Smiths to make myself feel better.
11 comments:
I agree with your thoughts about Morissey. Many of readers I suspect might disagree, but, yes Vauxhall And I is not bad, but I stopped buying hsi records. And then I got You Are The Quarry. Again not bad, but inconsistent. And the music, like Half Man Half Biscuit, a good song needs good music not just clever lyrics.
You really get me today, George. Sounds like I probably have more of his records than you do, but our feelings are still the same.
Considering how essential The Smiths were in the 80's, I haven't really kept up with Morrissey's solo output but the one album that I go back to regularly is 2004's You Are My Quarry. Along with Your Arsenal this is my personal fave of his solo albums. For me it contains some of his best solo tracks like Last Of The Gang, Irish Blood and America Is Not The World. Totally agree about the band, every time I have seen Morrissey live I almost dread him playing Smiths songs which might seem an odd thing to say, but they just seem so heavy handed with songs that should be treated with respect. They always sound to me like a band covering Smiths songs, which I suppose they are...
Hey Scott. Glad you weighed in on what feels like a touchy topic. You Are the Quarry certainly brought a lot of us back after a lengthy layoff, and I liked that one quite a bit too. It sure was an exciting time, and I like all three songs you cited. The first two songs on the album, in particular, were so provocative. It was nice to hear him getting a rise out of the public again. I'm not sure what it says about his solo career, but it's probably in my top 3. I haven't listened to Your Arsenal in its entirety in a very very long time. I have it a few feet from me as I'm typing this since I pulled out all of them today. You know, I'll give it a go right now.
As for Morrissey's band performing songs from the Smiths (or Johnny doing them sans Morrissey for that matter), I don't want to see that.
Brian - you get props just for attempting to discuss this. JC over at The Vinyl Villain had a post that was his run down of worst to best Morrissey solo albums and that was a rousing bit of give and take in the comments.
I tend to be at once obvious and aggravating in my favorite Morrissey albums. Viva Hate is head and shoulders above the rest for me, but 2009's Years Of Refusal comes in next. I also rate Southpaw Grammar and You Are The Quarry higher than many.
That all said, Our Frank is a brilliant choice for this list. But just to be consistently annoying, I also really like Dagenham Dave (specifically BECAUSE it goes nowhere, which I see as the whole point and to prempt anyone from throwing things at their computer screen), The National Front Disco and Girl Least Likely To from the November Spawned A Monster single.
Ahh...always feels good to come clean revealing my Morrissey fandom.
Echorich, As always, king of the comments. Your favorites run the gamut, and just about all eras of his solo career are represented. I don't know Years Of Refusal and Southpaw Grammar nearly as well as his other albums, but your taste is unimpeachable. So, I should try again. Obviously, I'm right with you on Viva Hate.
I read JC's breadown of Morrissey's solo albums. I hope my diatribe doesn't disappoint him too much. He is the biggest fan I know. Having said that, he didn't exactly give them all four stars either, did he? I thought his opinions were honest and levelheaded.
If I had to pick one Morrissey tune from the 1990's it would probably be 'The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get'. I still and always will check out everything he releases, but invariably I come away disappointed. The lightness of touch he once had, just isn't there anymore. Whether that's down to him, or the band, or a bit of both, I don't know.
He still has great taste though, and has dropped a clutch of well chosen covers into his sets over the years. Perhaps it's time he recorded his very own 'Pin-ups'.
Swede, your choice was my No. 2. That's why I included a line from the song in the post. Wanted to get it in there somewhere. Your Pin-Ups idea is fantastic.
Brian - I agree that JC was quite even handed in his Morrissey list. I certainly take all the disappointments and annoyances with Morrissey's solo road with a level of understanding. To have as many albums as he has had, with the legend that he is always going to have to play against and still come out with memorable music is an achievement itself.
I think The Swede's idea of a Morrissey Pin-ups sounds good - but I bet it would be full of obscure tracks...Mind you I would love Morrissey to Cover Sandi Shaw's Girl Don't Come!
I pitched the 'Pin-ups' idea a couple of years back, here... http://unthoughtofthoughsomehow.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/perfect-pop-guest-contributor.html
We're still waiting Moz!
Again a little late to the party…but now I promise to be a pest. (This is fun!!) And yes I was very puzzled and intrigued by the Morrissey entry into this (wonderful) list. "Our Frank" is a track I usually forget is on as it never seems to hold my interest…but that's just me. And I agree that Morrissey's solo output can't hold a candle to his work with (my beloved) Smiths. But nothing does. The Smiths is just remarkable. But like The Smiths Morrissey's output always seems to be single directed. So unlike The Smiths I think one needs to find the gems on each Morrissey album because the whole of the lot doesn't always work. I do still love Bona Drag, Your Arsenal, Vauxhall and I is filled with delicious tracks yet Ringleaders and Southpaw and Kill Uncle and Maladjusted…….all contain some great tracks. I guess that's why he puts out a glutinous supply of collections! Ha! He continues to write great, off-the-track pop songs, like "Let Me Kiss You" and "Dear God, Please Help Me" and "My Life is a Succession Of People Saying Goodbye" and….. Oh never mind. I'm just running down a list of Morrissey tracks and I remember just great songs. Wow! Lots! "Everyday is Like Sunday" is a track I could not live without. I am glad you picked "Our Frank" though. Just goes to show one has to look deep to find new treasure. Thank you sir!
Post a Comment