Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Peter Murphy: Live In London (2019)


This release -- a deluxe limited edition on triple gatefold ruby red 180g vinyl with booklet -- celebrates the 40th anniversary of Bauhaus, and the concert includes David J on bass. 

It has an epic track list:

Double Dare
In the Flat Field
A God in an Alcove
Dive
The Spy in the Cab
Small Talk Stinks
St. Vitus Dance
Stigmata Martyr
Nerves
King Volcano
Kingdom’s Coming
Burning from the Inside
Silent Hedges
Bela Lugosi’s Dead
She’s in Parties
Adrenalin
Kick in the Eye
The Passion of Lovers
The Three Shadows Part 2
Severance
Telegram Sam
Ziggy Stardust

It has an annoying typo in the insert. Oh well. This was recorded at the Brixton Academy, London. New copies from Live Here Now are available for £45 (about $79 Canadian) plus shipping. On discos, this is going for $120 - $150, plus shipping. 

Most of the clips from that show sound awful but this better-sounding clip will video give you a idea.


Peter Murphy: The Last And Only Star (2021)


I have only listened to this once and my first impression is that the sound quality sucks. Also, some of these bonus tracks should probably have been left in the bin. Side one is far better that side two. Still, I am big fan, so I like it at at some level. 



Peter Murphy: Wild Birds Live Tour (2015)

I was ecstatic when I found this record languishing in a sale bin in a record store in eastern Ontario some years ago. I could not believe my luck. The price was excellent too, being as it was on sale. But, there is bad news. The sound quality is dismal, making this record sound like a really good bootleg, at best. Why this was released, I will never know. It has a really great track listing and I expected great things.

The record was recorded live at the House of Blues in Los Angeles on April 4, 2000. In the end, I am happy that I paid what I did, and not a penny more. But, I think it should never have been released. I'm not the only person to think this. Have a look at these Amazon reviews, which I read after-the-fact:

"Horrible recording, don't waste your time, it doesn't showcase what an amazing show peter can put on. makes me wonder if this was a sanctioned recording or if someone got a bootleg posted on amazon. wish i could get my money back."

And: 

"I love Peter Murphy's music, but, the quality of this recording is terrible. Please listen before you buy...I wish I had."

Sadly, they are right about this record. Still, I will keep it.

Monday, January 28, 2019

Peter Murphy: Lion (2014)

This double LP deluxe edition contains two tracks not on the standard CD release. I think this album was less favourably-received than the predecessor, but I like it very much. I think it's excellent. Hang Up, especially, is awesome.


Friday, January 25, 2019

Peter Murphy: Ninth (2011)

“The Godfather of Goth” sounds like the genre’s savior here, coming on strong with those Bowie-sized aspirations and nailing that attractive Nosferatu-meets-Art-School style. [source]

Ninth, not surprisingly, is Peter's ninth solo record, if you count the live record). I like it much better than Unshattered, though that is also a great release.

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Peter Murphy: Cascade (1995/2021)


Good luck trying to find a reasonably priced copy of this original pressing from 1995. It was only pressed in Spain and three copies currently for sale on Discogs range from $547 to $1375 plus shipping. 

I quite like this album. It was a bounce back from the underwhelming Holy Smoke.

So, interesting things about this record are:

- it is spread out over two records, as opposed to one in the original pressing.

- it has four bonus tracks, owing to the extra vinyl space

- it is pressed on scarlet vinyl I suppose because of The Scarlet Thing in You 


Peter Murphy: Holy Smoke (1992)


A couple of original pressings of this LP fell into my hands over the years but they were always a little bashed up, so I avoided shelling our for them and hoped for a repressing. To be honest this LP was a bit of a letdown after the incredible Deep. Although I had the CD since the day it came out, I hadn't played it for years. Playing this record for the first time bought back some memories, but I will still argue that it is no where near as good as Deep or Cascade, the record that followed. 

However, I do quite like The Sweetest Drop, The Low Room, Hit Song, and Kill the Hate.



Peter Murphy: Cuts You Up (1990)

The US version of this 12" of Cuts You Up. This one has:

Cuts You Up (edit)
Roll Call (Reprise)
Cuts You Up (LP Version)
A Strange Kind of Love (Version II)

Of course, the cover image is taken from Deep.

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Peter Murphy: Cuts You Up (1990)

I have two versions of this 12" single. This is the UK version, which has three tracks:

Cuts You Up
A Strange Kind of Love (Version Two)
Roll Call (Reprise)

The first time I hear Version Two of A Strange Kind of Love, I was not impressed. I like it, but the album version has far more power, if you ask me.

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Peter Murphy: The Line Between The Devil's Teeth (And That Which Cannot Be Repeat) (1989)

The Line Between The Devil's Teeth (And That Which Cannot Be Repeat) is one of my favourite tracks from Deep. This Canadian 12" single contains four tracks:

1) The Line Between The Devil's Teeth (And That Which Cannot Be Repeat) (Full Length Version)
2) Marleine (sic) Dietrich's Favourite Poem
3) The Line Between The Devil's Teeth (And That Which Cannot Be Repeat) (Album Version)
4) Blind Sublime

By the way, check out this note from Discogs about this release:

Track A2 is written as "Marleine Dietrich's Favourite Poem" on the back cover and insert, but is written as "Marleine Dietrich Favourite Poem" on the record label. However, both are typos, as the track's proper title is "Marlene Dietrich's Favourite Poem"

The record label needs a proofreader.

Monday, January 21, 2019

Peter Murphy: Deep (1989)

I'm not sure I have the words to describe how much I love this record. I love it so much that I have two copies, both Canadian, along with the CD. One I picked up not to long ago for $8! For that price, I could not pass it up. I had recently seen a copy in a shop in Toronto for $60! Another store had a copy going for $40. Talk about price gouging.

I don't think that Murphy ever equaled this record. It's simply fantastic, nearly perfect. The CD has one small advantage over the vinyl, and that is the addition of the Roll Call (Reprise). It's the perfect addition, since I never want that song to end.

My fav song from the record is probably Cuts You Up, but it's really hard to choose. If you plan on buying a Peter Murphy record, this is the one to get. It is his masterpiece.

Sunday, January 20, 2019

Peter Murphy: Blilnd Sublime (1988)

This US promotional 12" single contains Blind Sublime (7" Edit-Remix) and Blind Sublime (Dance Remix).

Friday, January 18, 2019

Peter Murphy: Indigo Eyes (1988)

This is a promotional 12" single for Indigo Eyes. The same mix of Indigo Eyes is on both sides, and both sides are labelled as Side A. Tour dates, with The Church, are listed on the back cover.

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Peter Murphy: Love Hysteria (1988)

OK, I will admit that I hate one song on this LP, and that song is Fun Time, a tune written by David Bowie and Iggy Pop, and first recorded by Iggy for The Idiot. That version is much much better. The two best songs on Love Hysteria are Indigo Eyes and All Night Long, though there was a time when I thought Socrates The Python was the best thing I had ever heard.

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Peter Murphy: Should the World Fail to Fall Apart (1987)

Oddly, this 12" has the same cover as the Canadian pressing of the Blue Heart 12". The only thing changed is the name of the track. I wonder why they reused this image. Anyway, this 12" has Should The World Fail To Fall Apart (Version), Confessions (Remix), and Jemal (Version Two).

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Peter Murphy: All Night Long (1988)

Now come hold my hand
No bad vibe hearts
Hold my hand you know
This journey could be long

 I have a copy of this 12" (or EP) on CD as well. There are four tracks: All Night Long, Confession (Live), Blind Sublime, and God Sends (Live). The notes say this:

Tracks A1 & B1 recorded at Jacobs and Abbey Road Studios. Mixed at Abbey Road.
Tracks A2 & B2 recorded live at "The Phantasy Club" Toronto, by CFNY-FM Radio.

That was back in the day when CFNY was the absolute best radio station in the world. That is no longer true.

All Night Long is a fabulous track.

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Peter Murphy: Tale Of The Tongue (1986)

On the UK 12" pressing of Tale Of The Tongue you will find the title track and a different version of Should The World Fail To Fall Apart.

Monday, December 10, 2018

Peter Murphy: Blue Heart (1986)

The Canadian release for Blue Heart is really an EP. It contains five tracks:

Blue Heart (Extended Remix Version)
The Light Pours Out Of Me
Blue Heart (7" Version)
Canvas Beauty (Romance Version)
Should The World Fail To Fall Apart (Extended Remix Version)

Sunday, December 09, 2018

OMD [Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark]: Live at Eventim Hammersmith Apollo (2019)


This concert from November 20th, 2019, is presented on triple blue transparent vinyl. There are also CD and DVD versions available. The sound is really great, and I can recommend it, especially to fans. But, perhaps we have reached peak live OMD? I love it, but one has to figure out how much live material you want. After all, I have a bunch of live stuff, including Live With The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the live recording of Architecture & Morality - Dazzle Ships.



Friday, December 07, 2018

Peter Murphy: Blue Heart (1986)

This is the original UK 12" pressing of Blue Heart, which has three tracks. They are:

Blue Heart
Blue Heart (Seven Inch Version)
Canvas Beauty (Up Version)

Discogs notes the following, which I had never noticed before: "The B side label incorrectly lists the track order. Blue Heart (7" Mix) is the first track, Canvas Beauty is the second track. The cover lists the correct sequence." TIL.

Thursday, December 06, 2018

Peter Murphy: Should the World Fail to Fall Apart (1986)

This is the Canadian Pressing. As I said in the previous post:
"The original UK version is different from the Canadian pressing. I really hate that. The difference, apart of track ordering, is that Canvas Beauty was removed from the Canadian version is preference to Tale of the Tongue. That has never made any sense to me because Canvas Beauty is a much better track"
As you will see, the cover image is the same one used for the UK pressing of Tale of the Tongue.

Peter Murphy: Should the World Fail to Fall Apart (1986)


Peter Murphy's first solo LP, after the collapse of Bauhaus and Dalis Car, contains two cover versions. These are the aforementioned Final Solution and a cover of Magazine's The Light Pours out of Me. Once again, I like Peter's version of the Magazine tune, but the original is so freaking fantastic, it's probably impossible to top it. I don't think anyone could record a better version. It's simply awe-inspiring on so many levels.

Clearly, this record sheds some of the goth feel, or should that read stereotype? This is a solid record, lighter than any Bauhaus outing, but it's really enjoyable. It may not be Bauhaus, but I really like it.

Once again, the record company effed with the track listings. The original UK version is different from the Canadian pressing. I really hate that. The difference, apart of track ordering, is that Canvas Beauty was removed from the Canadian version is preference to Tale of the Tongue. That has never made any sense to me because Canvas Beauty is a much better track. This version is the UK pressing.

Wednesday, December 05, 2018

Peter Murphy: The Final Solution EP (1985)

For Peter Murphy's first solo single, released in advance of his first solo record -- Should the World Fail to Fall Apart -- he opted to cover a Pere Ubu track. That's tough work, but he managed to do a respectable job. I'm just going to add that it must be difficult to make a cover version your own. As much as I admire Peter's version, the Pere Ubu orignal is better, in my humble opinion.

Any artist who strikes out on a solo career is going to be compared to the band from which they came. As the vocalist for Bauhaus, there were probably some -- perhaps unfair -- expectations. But, I'd say that this first outing is solid.

The Canadian version of this 12" single contains four tracks:

Final Solution (Club Mix)
The Answer is Clear (Version)
Canvas Beauty (The Fast Mix)
Final Solution (Third & Final Mix)

Alson Moyet: Alf (1984)

Somehow, I skipped over this one. The Alison Moyet I like best is the Alison Moyet of Yazoo (or Yaz, as we knew them in North America).  Yaz recorded only two records, and disbanded in 1983. The next yer, Alison released her debut record. This isn't bad, but I much prefer Yaz. She does have a truly amazing voice.

Monday, December 03, 2018

Bob Mould: Blue Hearts (2020)


I am happy to report that Allmusic described this record as "one of the very best solo albums Mould has given us to date." I think we can agree. 





Bob Mould: Circle Of Friends (2007/2020)


This concert, from the 9:30 Club in Washington DC, was originally released on DVD in 2007. In 2020, it got a vinyl release on Record Store Day. I did not buy this on RSD, but I did find a discount copy (at about half price) languishing in a bin in a local record late the following year. I thought, why not? I have to say that the sound is truly excellent. This limited edition is pressed on clear vinyl. 



Bob Mould: Sunshine Rock (2019)

I picked this one up soon after it came out. It was my first new 2019 record. I ended up with the limited edition red and yellow swirl coloured vinyl, because that's all the shop had. The price was amazing so I didn't hesitate.
Sunshine Rock is the fourth installment in one of the most satisfying chapters of Bob Mould's career -- no small statement considering his legacy -- and the tender ferocity of these songs is something no one else could do quite this well. [source]
Yup. Its good, but I have only listened to it a couple of times, so far. 

Bob Mould: Patch the Sky (2016)


"All this adds up to another midlife triumph from Mould, a record that harks back to his past while completely occupying the present moment, no matter how uncomfortable or painful that may be." Allmusic

The amazing thing about Bob Mould's solo output is that it is all very very good. The only weak point for me was Modulate, but I don't hate Modulate. I'd put all of his records at 4 or 5 stars out of five, except for Modulate. It's mostly the vocal treatments that I dislike and maybe the production,, but I enjoy other parts of the record. As for Patch the Sky, this is great, once again. Bob is very consistent.

Happily, my copy came with a bonus live CD with nine live tracks recorded at WXRT in June 2014.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Bob Mould: Beauty & Ruin (2014)

I wonder if Bob Mould wants to break into film. His acting isn't bad.

"Although this opens with the slow, grinding "Low Season" and eventually winds its way to the bright, open "Forgiveness," most of this record is devoted to turmoil, as Mould comes to terms with his impending mortality -- hanging over him through both the passing of his dad and his own middle-age -- by drawing sustenance from his signature combination of crystalline pop and molten noise." [source]

This record is excellent.

Monday, November 26, 2018

Bob Mould: Silver Age (2012)

And just like that, Mould comes back with an album that reminds me of Sugar, though with a video for the lead-off track that leaves much to be desired.

Saturday, November 24, 2018

Bob Mould: Life and Times (2009)

I missed Sugar during these Bob Mould solo years. I loved everything Sugar did, and his post-Sugar output was great, but I missed Sugar. To me, Sugar was better than Bob Mould's solo works. But, I really really like everything that Mould ever did, including this one. Oh, I have all of these Bob Mould records on CD too, up to this point.

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Bob Mould: District Line (2008)


District Line is the seventh solo record from Bob. If you like Bob, you will like this. It's a solid effort with some great tracks. Somewhere around this time, Bob came out of the closet. I can't remember if I was surprised or not.

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Bob Mould: Body of Song (2005)

This is a fantastic record. I don't even mind the voice treatment he uses on some tracks. There's nothing left to say. Just listen to it. I have a copy of this album on CD as well.

Thursday, November 08, 2018

Bob Mould: Black Sheets Of Rain (1990)


Since this was released in 1990, my first copy was on CD. I ended up with the 2015 vinyl repress from Demon records. This record was a return to heavier music. I like it; Allmusic does not:

A scalding, monolithic collection of soul-baring lyrics and primal guitars, Black Sheets of Rain is extremely powerful musically, but is also slightly monotonous. Nevertheless, the record features several inspired songs from Mould, including the catchy single "It's Too Late." [source]
Look how young Bob looks here:


Bob Mould: Workbook (1989)

The debut solo record from former Hüsker Dü front man, Bob Mould, was a true surprise. There is a real change of sound. He mellowed, I guess, though not entirely.
"Instead of relying on raging guitars, Mould explores a wide variety of styles, from pure pop ("See a Little Light") to reflective folk laced with cellos. It's an astonishing array of styles, and the songs are among Mould's finest." [source]
I did see Bob in concert, though only once. It was a short concert, but he played with amazing intensity and energy. I assumed that he would have been completely exhausted by the end of the show.

Wednesday, November 07, 2018

Elton Motello: Jet Boy Jet Girl (1979)

So, Elton Motello is somehow the name of the singer and the band. I guess that's like Alice Cooper, though that really became his name. The singer - Elton Motello - is Alan Ward. The first single was Pogo Pogo (1977) though that was later changed to the flip side (1978), Jet Boy Jet Girl, and then that later morphed into a single with Jet Boy Jet Girl on the a-side, and Jet Boy Jet Girl on the a-side and Apocalipstic on the b-side (1979). I have a later 12" pressing without Pogo Pogo.

Anyway, Jet Boy Jet Girl is awesome. I'd never really heard such explicit lyrics:
Can you tell what's on my mind?
She's with him, it drives me wild
I'd like to hit him on the head
Until he's dead
The sight of blood is such a high
Ooh, hoo, hoo, hoo
He gives me head

We made it on a ballroom blitz
I took his arm and kissed his lips
He looked at me with such a smile
My face turned red
We booked a room into the Ritz
Ooh, hoo, hoo, hoo
He gives me head

Jet boy, jet girl
Gonna take you 'round the world
Jet boy I'm gonna make him penetrate
I'm gonna make you be a girl
Ooh, hoo, hoo, hoo
Jet boy jet girl

And though I'm only just fifteen
I like to kick, I like to scream
And even if I have a kick or two in bed
When I'm with him it's just a dream
Ooh, hoo, hoo, hoo
He gives me head
But, this tune was apparently the first openly gay punk song. Anyway, the backing track was taken from Ça plane pour moi, a track by Plastic Bertrand.

But, check out this lame comment from a user review on Allmusic:
Elton was one of the first rock artists to openly express his homosexuality through music, but likely did the cause more harm than good with the release of his cheesy debut disc "Victims of Time", which prominently featured the crass and tasteless gay anthem "Jet Boy Jet Girl". [source]
I cannot agree with that statement.

Monday, November 05, 2018

Elton Motello: Victim of Time (1978)

I can't believe I skipped Elton! Here it is, out of order. 

My Canadian pressing of this release dates to 1979, rather than 1978. I guess it took a year to make it across the ocean. The only other countries to press this LP were Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Yugoslavia, and Australia. This records contains the aforementioned Jet Boy Jet Girl. This is a damn cool record.

Thursday, November 01, 2018

The Motors: Greatest Hits (1981)

Untitled
This record is either titled Greatest Hits or The Motors Greatest Hits. I prefer the former because the latter should be The Motors' Greatest Hits or The Motors's Greatest Hits. Oddly, Virgin released a CD compilation in 1995 called the Airport: Motor's Greatest Hits. Nice try.

Anyway, the record collects the greatest hits of The Motors.

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

The Motors: Tenement Steps (1980)

Untitled
Tenement Steps was the third and last record from The Motors. This was the first Motors record I owned. Bram Tchaikovsky had already left the band for a solo career, after only one record with the band. I always really loved the sound of this band.

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

The Motors: Approved by the Motors (1978)

Untitled
Yes, the motors! I've always liked the sound of this band.
"In a contemporary review for Rolling Stone, Jim Farber praised Approved by the Motors as "a near-perfect LP of pure, pulverizing pop in the best Sweet, Slade, and Pilot tradition, cutting through the cuteness of that genre with Nick Garvey's and Andy McMaster's dynamic dual vocals… the band sings sweetly about S&M activities, disarming the entire subject in the same endearing manner as Cheap Trick joyously trivializes suicide." [source]
All of you Motors fans will know that Bram Tchaikovsky had joined the band by this point.

Friday, October 26, 2018

Morrissey: Low In High School (Édition Extrême De Luxe!) (2018)

If I had known that a deluxe edition was on the way, I probably would not have purchased the regular edition. Oddly, I bought this on December 4th 2018, and yet Discogs notes that the release date is December 7th, 2018. Did I get it three days early?

This edition has two 180 gram records. The first is Low in High School presented on clear vinyl. The second record, on purple vinyl, contains five live b-sides, three unreleased tracks, and a cover of Back on the Chain Gang, originally written and recorded by The Pretenders. I'm a huge fan of that track. It's one of my favourite tunes from The Pretenders. It's a truly magnificent pop song. Morrissey's version is OK, but it just doesn't compare to the original. In the video, Morrissey is shown playing the guitar, but that is all pretend. Maybe that's a veiled reference to The Pretenders?

This limited edition set also comes with a print or Morrissey.

Morrissey: Bona Drag (1990/2021)


From Wikipedia:
Bona Drag is a compilation album by Morrissey released on 15 October 1990. The album features an array of Morrissey's most popular songs from his early solo career, most of which had not been released on any previous album. The album name meaning nice outfits is an example of the subculture slang Polari explored further on the album's first track "Piccadilly Palare". The album was certified Gold by the RIAA on 6 December 2000. In 2010, the album was remastered and expanded to include six bonus tracks.
When I first got this CD back in 1990, I played it to death. The 2021 release is the dame as the 2010 20th anniversary release, with six bonus tracks. I picked up a discounted copy on tea coloured vinyl with the poster. Here is something else, from Wikipedia:

The following changes have been made to the original album:
"Ouija Board, Ouija Board" has a verse removed ("The glass is moving, no, I was not pushing that time")
"Piccadilly Palare" has an extra verse, as has circulated on bootlegs ("A cold-water room")
"Interesting Drug" fades into "November Spawned a Monster"
"Suedehead" edited to remove guitar fade on the intro.

I have to say that some of these changes, particularly on Piccadilly Palare are a bit jarring. 


Morrissey: California Son (2019)


I had no intention of purchasing this record after reading a few reviews. But, one day, I found a sealed copy in a used record bin in a local store for under $15, so I thought I would give it a try. It's not as dire as some would have you believe. It's not top shelf Morrissey, but I do not hate it. I mean, one can only do so much with cover versions, but, to be honest, I only knew three of four of these tracks.





Morrissey: I am Not a Dog on Chain (2020)


I sometimes wonder if the world has lost its patience for Morrissey. The negative reviews are quite common now and almost expected. It seems a bold statement to praise a Morrissey record these days. I cannot adequately explain what The Smiths meant to me (and still mean to me). So many bands were important to me, but The Smiths ... I can't find the words. I found them at the precisely correct time. It's cliched to say that they were the soundtrack, but really, they were. It was a magical time, and I honestly I wish I could thank Morrissey and Marr for everything. I suppose I do by purchasing the records. But, really, the band changed something in me or opened me up to something or made me listen in a different way. That's not quite it, but I think you understand. Just listen; don't judge.



Morrissey: This is Morrissey (2018)

Untitled
I bought the record with only a cursory glance at the track listing. I knew it was a compilation, but what an odd compilation it is. Have a look at this really awesome statement from Nitrous.McBread on Discogs:
Utterly bizarre choice of scraps from beneath the table of the increasingly laughable has-been. Parlophone seem to be doling out a bunch of industry sweeteners, allotting royalties-as-favours to various chums, cohorts and back-orifice management types. This is record company machination par excellence and has virtually nil to do with any pretence of offering a coherent set of songs in any kind of thought-out sequence. This album serves two purposes: firstly, persuading marginalised Morrissey fans (looked upon now as the deluded Scientologists of the music firmament) to part with yet more cash to further feather the nest of their curdled fuhrer; and secondly, to make the lyrics of The Smiths' "Paint A Vulgar Picture" even more staggeringly prescient. [source]
Now, I wouldn't go as far as to say that, but I will say that I fail to understand the song choices. It starts off well enough, but then we get Have-a-Go Merchant. What? And, the Mael Mix of Suedehead, which is truly awful. The record starts strong and ends strong, but to argue that "this is Morrissey" is a truly mystifying statement.

Morrissey: Low in High School (2017)

Untitled
I did not run out to buy this record when it was released. I wasn't even sure I wanted to buy it, but I saw it online for about $8 (plus $5 shipping) so I decided to get it. I ended up with the limited edition, pressed on green vinyl, from the UK.

I find some of Morrissey's political views to be problematic, especially his support of Brexit. I've never been able to figure out if he believes this, or if he is trolling. I'd like to believe the latter, but who can say? I do like some, but not all, of these tunes.

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Morrissey: World Peace is None of Your Business (2014)

Untitled
I have a number of Morrissey albums on CD that I will likely never own on LP. That is either because they are either way too expensive or because I am not interested, probably because I already have the CD and find that I don't listen to them very much. But, I did pick this up after it was released. Somehow, I ended up with the first UK pressing, rather than the US pressing, which one would have thought would have been more accessible in North America. Someone is trying to sell one of these for $164 on Discogs, which is far far more than I paid. Even the cheapest is about $55, which is more than double what I paid.

I think we are in an age where it is uncool to listen to Morrissey. All I seem to see is backlash. This is one of the things I hate about social media. Any public post about pretty much any well-known band or artist is filled with hate. The world hates The Smiths, Morrissey, Radiohead, U2, and even the Beatles. It boggles the mind, but I will say that I hate Coldplay and Nickelback :) I lack the energy to post a negative comment on a post about a band I hate. Why would anyone take the time to slag Radiohead? Do they have nothing better to do?

As uncool as it might sound, I don't mind this record. There is one thing I do not like, however, and that is the jacket. It is a tad taller than most, and it will not fit on my shelf.


Friday, October 05, 2018

Morrissey: Satellite of Love (Live) (2013)

Argh! Why did he change the lyrics? Lou Reed sang: "I like to watch things on TV." Morrissey sings: "I cannot stand the TV." This ruins the song. Maybe Morrissey missed the fact that the singer is watching the satellite launch on TV! There are other more minor lyrical changes, but none of them as irksome as this.

Hearing a live run through of Vicar in a Tutu reminds me of how much I miss the Smiths and how much better the Smiths were compared to Morrissey solo.

The other tracks on this 12" are You're Gonna Need Someone On Your Side, originally from Your Arsenal, and All You Need is Me (Live), from Years of Refusal. It also appears on a greatest hits package.

Thursday, October 04, 2018

Morrissey: Years of Refusal (2009)

Untitled
Discogs notes that: "The USA LP was sold with a bonus 7" single of "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris" (European edition) in select stores. However, many copies were also given away with purchases of the cd, or with no purchase at all." Sadly, my copy did not have the bonus 7". Although I am not really into 7", it would have been nice to have it.

My short review would be something like, Morrissey's ninth record is pretty good. I'd say that it is one of his stronger later records. It's not The Smiths, but it's enjoyable.


Monday, October 01, 2018

Morrissey: First of the Gang To Die (2006)

Untitled
First Of The Gang To Die was the second single from Your Are the Quarry, an album I have on CD. It's a pretty good song, I'd say. The b-sides are: My Life Is A Succession Of People Saying Goodbye, Teenage Dad On His Estate, and Mexico.