Morrissey

Moz left behind the inspired, pointedly personal world of Viva Hate for the camp found on his earlier "Hairdresser On Fire." Though far from essential, it’s not a bad album and their are some choice cuts here -- the DIY celebration "Sing Your Life," the aching "Driving Your Girlfriend Home," and "There's A Place In Hell...," could be the closer to Viva Hate.

As lead singer of the Smiths, Morrissey was a virtual postmodern Sylvia Plath. Superimposing
lyrics of alienation and insecurity over a punk-inspired jangle of guitars – courtesy of
Johnny Marr – he articulated gloom to a loyal school of devotees. Although he captured
that sensibility most successfully – both in his music and lyrics – on Viva Hate, his 1988 solo
debut, Kill Uncle only hints at the achievement of that earlier album. Certainly, M... More >

What kills the faithful is the anonymously supportive production, never distinctive enough to threaten (or challenge) a fading superstar in the throes of permanent identity crisis. But though they do meander into the insufferably ruminative self-pity that never used to bother Smiths fans, the songs start out plenty striking, guitar signature or no guitar signature. Tart as a grand aunt, louder on the gay subtext now that he's no longer an antipinup, Morrissey isn't just another English eccentric. He exemplifies what's made eccentricity a staple export of that once-proud nation for generations. Good show. (Grade - B+)