Morrissey-solo
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posted by
davidt
on Friday April 01 2005, @10:00AM
bodmin writes:
"An overbearing chump playing to the gallery in oppressive earl's Court" NEW ALBUMS, Morrissey Live At Earls Court - The Mirror (written by GAVIN MARTIN) The grand slam success of Stephen Patrick Morrissey's comeback must have taken even The Smiths' former frontman by surprise. Prior to the release of You Are The Quarry, he seemed like a man out of time. He clung onto an avid but dwindling cult following. Embittered after losing a costly court battle with his former bandmates, Morrissey's glorious past flashed before him. Yet there was no future in sight. As his solo album sales dwindled, record companies shied away from his famously unpredictable temperament. Something needed to change - and urgently. Launched by the killer Irish Blood, English Heart single, Quarry was a respectable enough return, recapturing Morrissey's core strengths. What really gave it added impact was the timing of its release, coming just as a host of Morrissey-loving newcomers - Razorlight, Keane and Franz Ferdinand - were making their mark. Acknowledged by all and sundry as a key influence, Morrissey was welcomed both by old fans and a new generation. Quarry became the biggest-selling album of his career and, as a live performer, Morrissey's asking price had never been higher. The chance to make up the thousands lost in the Smiths court wrangle and claim what was rightfully his wasn't something he could refuse. Morrissey proceeded to milk it - and it quickly curdled. The overbearing chump on show here, playing to the gallery in the oppressive surrounds of Earl's Court, is a seasoned but charmless man. The set ignores some of the finest - and more controversial - moments of his erratic solo career in favour of Smiths gems. The shuddering How Soon Is Now intro and the swooning There Is A Light That Never Goes Out are obvious highpoints. You can't blame a man for scooping the jackpot when his luck changes. However, his competent but artless band deliver the tunes with ruthless efficiency and Morrissey has a severe case of smugness. A little humility would have been nice. But only a fool or a hopeless romantic would expect that sort of thing from The Mozfather.
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Bit of a harsh review of <i>Live At Earls Court</i> in The Mirror (3 stars)
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Wow (Score:0)
What did you want him to play, National Front Disco? Asian Rut? This is why I don't read tabloids.
I hate to admit this but . . . (Score:0)
Peace,
Fuzzy
mirror? at a funfare maybe. (Score:1)
Unrelated but has anyone read the mail lately? Everyone gets slagged off.... what is is with all this new negativity?
Even chip shops have stopped wrapping food in them...must be the smell of bullsh*t..
(User #1939 Info | http://www.morrissey-solo.com/)
"Competent but artless band" (Score:0)
Gavin Martin gave YATQ a good review last year if I remember correctly - so he's not anti-Moz, and his attacks do seem harsh.
But his assessment of the band is correct these days. They made excellent music for Arsenal and Vauxhall, then became the session musicians they are today. 'Noise Is The Best Revenge' is a prime example - tuneless, leaden, unimaginative. Moz's career will end up in one big rut if he doesn't get new songwriters.
Re:Johnny Marr (Score:2, Funny)
(User #12365 Info)
Parent
Mirror?? (Score:1)
It'd be Great if Morrissey was for once being judged by his own merits - and not always being compared to the Smiths. The Smiths were a Fabulous band but they did split up nearly 20 years ago! I still listen to them often (nearly every day) but It's time to move on from referring to the Smiths in every single Morrissey review. Morrissey cannot hold the corpse of The Smiths together after all this time and he has moved on - a long time ago! And it would be a VERY sad occassion to see the Smiths "reform".
In my opinion Morrissey delivers a very strong set of songs on the "Earls Court" CD and that's what matters. His voice is better than ever and there isn't a lot of technical "gimmicks" on the CD but why should there be? It is a strong stripped-down Live recording. Why is he seen as "Milking it"?
Every single recording artist needs to make a living and to have a public profile. Morrissey has had a fantastic "Come back" year if you like and a series of sold out live dates. Most other artists release live albums and it's OK. I often wonder Why is he getting so much stick? Some people will always criticise what he does. I believe that this is because he does things on his own terms ( I really believe that he does!) and often goes against the grain of what is expected of popular artists.
The world is FULL of Crashing bores indeed. Now Mirror: a word of advice: Piss right off! I bet they will give the new Coldplay album 10/10.
Mirror is a shameful publication for families who do their weekly shopping at Tesco's every saturday and buy their top 10 Cds in there.
(User #13191 Info)
Boomslang (Score:1, Interesting)
We're all Suckers! (Score:0)
Anyone else ready to bail out with me? What are we 30's? 40's some of us? Posting meaningless thoughts on a lame web site? We're no different than 13 year old Brittney Spears fans. She's a product designed to make money as is "Morrissey's Comeback". I'm not spending another pence on this shite.
Gavin Martin (Score:0)
After his skindeep YATQ review, this one is hardly surprising. He really gets paid for this, you know?
The squalor of the mind... (Score:1)
Oh please. How often did we hear from Morrissey in those 7 long and quiet years? Not many. "Clung onto" is a great exaggeration.
Martin is definitely entitled to his own opinion; however, it seems that his review was more of an opportunity to degrade Morrissey rather than write a simple criticism about his latest release. Clearly he doesn't like Morrissey in the first place, but whether or not he's a fan of Morrissey's work is irrelevant. A review (good or bad) should contain a certain amount of appreciation and grace. Sadly, Martin does not possess such qualities.
I personally am not a fan of live LP's - Morrissey or no Morrissey. I've just never really liked listening to them. But, Martin's review pissed me off. Which in turn will make me go out and buy it even sooner than I expected to. So, once again his lyrics ring true (the reason I've been such an AVID fan for so long, mind you):
"the critics who can’t break you,
unwittingly, they make you
so don’t let the good days
of the gold discs
creep up and mug you..."
(User #827 Info)
WPTMIM needs a CD counterpart (Score:1)
(User #8252 Info)
Thats so mean (Score:0)
this is coming from a silly crap paper that is more interested in jordans marrage to peter andre.
how can they say that Morrissey is a chump!
"Morrissey's asking price had never been higher" (Score:1)
(User #11792 Info)
Fact checker wanted at The Mirror... (Score:1)
God, he even spells his name on Ouija Board.
(User #152 Info | http://worldofabrahan.com/)
vocals - breathing (Score:0)
thats a pretty great review... (Score:1)
its a ballsy review for an obvious Morrissey fan to write- idont mind it one bit.
(User #9259 Info)
What goes on with you people (Score:0)
Well I am thrilled with it.
Martin, Collins and Kelly. I'm coming to get you! (Score:0)
Leave it ! (Score:0)
This is precisely the kind of reaction he had in mind with such an inflammatory piece. Let’s stir up the Moz aficionados again; they’re always good for a bite. The self satisfying massager's most likely sat at his PC at this very moment, Kleenex at the ready, congratulating him self on a job well done.
Just ignore the twat and if there's any justice he'll disappear up his own crap crevice, along with his over inflated ego and one dimensional review writing.
(User #12286 Info)
What she said (Score:1)
To me it appears that the reviews and their ratings are saying 'Its good enough but nothing special', a bit like every other live album you get not just from Moz/smiths but like every other band? You can never capture a band live no matter what you try.
My favourite live album is a bootleg from glasgow barrowlands a few years ago, purely because i was there!
Im sure the album is great for the fans.
However, I have been disappointed with Moz on a few things, whether he had control over them or not.
First, releasing There is a light as a single with the avereage Redondo Beach. Th e best cover moz has done recently, or ever, is No one can hold a candle to you. But it just shouldnt have been don. If i had the time i would type the reasons but im sure people feel the same.
Second, The artwork. With the exception of Let me kiss you, i have forgiven jesus and Who put the M in Manc, the artwork has been nowhere near the iconic status Moz produced for himself and the smiths in thwe past 20 years.
Thirdly, the whole re-issue, re-package phase. Album (x3 versions dvds), 4 singles (with cd1s/2s and dvds), a live single(s), live dvd, dvd re-issues(Hulmerist etc- ok not Moz's fault as he said, but you get the idea). Have i forgotten anything? My band would never do that! But then I am, like all, a hypocrite, not Morrissey and am not the greatest icon in music for the last 20 years.
Apologies for the rant.
I hope someone can be bothered to read all of it.
(User #10094 Info)
Just A Few Points.... (Score:1)
(User #13232 Info)
I agree with the sentiment against Moz's band... (Score:1)
Although I found a few of the lyrics on YATQ to be subpar, let's face it--Moz is probably the greatest lyricist in the history of pop music.
And yet I too find much of the music quite uninspired. Not bad, just lacking a certain something.
I think the problem here is that people are maybe getting too caught up in Johnny Marr as a solution. I don't blame them, Marr is one of my favorite musicians as well.
But what if I were to say that it might be interesting for Morrissey to work with an entirely new set of musicians? Musicians that come from a different mindset than his current ones. This may not be a cure-all, but if nothing else I think we would all be dying of real curiosity and excitement to see how it turned out.
And really, that's all I'm asking for. His current band seems really nice. They clearly know Moz's strengths and weaknesses and probably work wonderfully with him. But perhaps a little discomfort and abrasion would be good for our little Mozzer.
Or not. I don't know. What I do know is that if I ever hear another flute or clarinet solo in the middle of a song (ala "I'm Not Sorry") I will lose my lunch! :)
(User #533 Info)
The problem with this review (Score:1)
(User #1342 Info)
Los Angeles was better (Score:1)
I was at one of the Los Angeles shows, and the play list was better. I believe they played Hairdresser on Fire, Rubber Ring, and Every Day is Like Sunday, for example. The audience absolutely screamed "Come Armageddon Come!" This was very fitting two days after GW Bush's reelection.
Unfortunately, they also played Redondo Beach which is the only song by Morrissey or The Smiths that I can't stand.
Considering he was in front of his new "home crowd" that night, which was more than 50% Latino (people who can dance, which is probably a first for a Morrissey concert), there was an energy on stage that is lacking on this recording.
The recording unfortunately cuts out many of Morrissey quips which add more texture to Morrissey as a performer. It's unfortunate. Morrissey is very playful with his audience, and they eat it up.
As for the band, Deano was simply on fire in Los Angeles. And Boz had a look on his face that I have never seen before. I was like, "I can't believe I'm on stage playing guitar for Morrissey!" They clearly love Morrissey, his lyrics, his voice, and their music.
People who say artists are uninspired need to get off their ass and inspire me.
That night in Los Angeles was one of the best experiences of my life. Live at Earls Court is a good reminder of that night, and I don't want my $9.99 back from iTunes or Morrissey.
I'd much rather give my money to Morrissey, who is against animal oppression and speaks his mind, than pay my taxes to GW Bush and Tony Blair who have no morality or conscience whatsoever.
Shoplifters of the world unite!
Did any one else notice that he said "when her iPod started to melt?" in Bigmouth? Like many artists, I think Morrissey owes a lot to Apple for his comeback.
Praise to both Apple and Morrissey.
(User #13906 Info)
They should look in The Mirror...*cue hysterics* (Score:0)
An intelligent review would have been nice. But only a fool or a hopeless romantic would expect that sort of thing from The Mirror.
Morrissey! (Score:0)
Re:Morrissey! (Score:2, Funny)
(User #9454 Info)
Parent
local paper (Score:0)
That was nice of them.
"a man out of time" (Score:0, Funny)
I must be the only person in the world who giggles when reading Gavin.
I just love the melodramatic tone of the article.
"Morrissey's past flashed before him", (like, when you're about to have a big car accident)
... yet there was no future in sight" (Ha! No, there was just a Californian ten ton truck, probably)
"Record companies shied away from his famously unpredictable temperament" (here you picture tiny record company people scampering away from a gigantic and God-like Morrissey throwing fireballs)
"Something needed to change- and urgently."
(Picture Morrissey and Gavin tapping their feet impatiently)
"Morrissey proceded to milk it, ...and it quickly curdled" (here a cow glares at Morrissey when seeing the wasted milk; Morrissey looks back at it more or less apologetically)
"The overbearing chump" (Picture a sumo with a chimpanzee's head)
"in the oppressive surrounds": (as when stuck in an elevator)
"a seasoned man" (picture the sumo-chimp now stuffed with garlic)
"You can't blame a man for scooping the jackpot when his luck changes" (Morrissey at the Black Jack table in a Las Vegas casino, some dumb blonde clapping and jumping excitedly by his side)
"the competent but artless band deliver the tunes with ruthless efficiency" (picture band in butchers' aprons, attacking Smiths songs with machetes)
"But only a fool or a hopeless romantic would expect that sort of thing from the Mozfather." (Shaggy and somebody from Duran Duran cry bitterly as larger-than-life Marlon Morrissey majestically wipes his soles on them.)
Well, Gavin, it all sounds so exciting when *you* describe it,... you almost make me want to get the DVD!!!
It's not about technique, it's about sooouuul! (Score:1)
(User #2801 Info)
Humility... (Score:1)
(User #13865 Info)
There is a Light misses the top 10 (Score:0)
John
this guy's a douche (Score:2, Insightful)
Then he grudgingly wrote a semi-positive review of "You Are The Quarry," making sure to inform us that while old fans will be happy he's back he certainly won't be getting many new fans.
It must be upsetting to Gavin that Morrissey remains on top, having weathered it all. So now when Morrissey releases a live album, suddenly anyone who releases a live album is just being "greedy." Perhaps you can make a greed argument over all the various formats of singles he's put out in the past 12 months, but a 12 dollar live album does not seem like a rip-off to me.
Gavin writes:
"Acknowledged by all and sundry as a key influence, Morrissey was welcomed both by old fans and a new generation. Quarry became the biggest-selling album of his career and, as a live performer, Morrissey's asking price had never been higher."
Sorry you called it wrong, Gavin. Looks like he did find some new fans, to your chagrin. But that's no reason to continue your bullshit attacks. Who the hell attacks a live album based on, in part, your personal problems with the VENUE ("the opressive Earl's Court")? What's THAT about? What the fuck do I care? I wasn't there; I'm just listening to the CD. Morrissey wasn't the freaking architect of the Earl's Court, you dope.
And it seems far too easy for a reviewer to base the bulk of his attacks around calling the artist "greedy," given that one does have to ask for money in exchange for an album. That's how the capitalist system works, and the album is not overpriced. Gavin's problem is that Morrissey's comeback was a complete and toal success, and it's ery telling that the bulk of his review has little to say about the MUSIC. This journalist is evil and hellbent on attacking Morrissey the person, as if he can read into his heart.
Here's my theory on why Morrissey released the live album. HE's very happy to be back from a 7 year absence, and he was overjoyed at how people embraced him with open arms and bought up so many concert tickets. Feeling fantastic about his year, he decided to document the tour with a DVD of the first concert and a live album of the last.
What can be wrong with this?
And how is Morrissey a "chump"???? That was a completely gratuitous attack, not backed up by anything.....
It's about the music, duh....
(User #778 Info)
Morriseys Mirror (Score:1)
(User #12593 Info)
Not Bad (Score:0)
Three stars out of five aint bad, even if the jornalist does hate Morrissey.