The Atlantic (one of America's few sane media outlets these days) has a short piece about 13 songs to help get through the pandemic, and includes this great write-up (by James Parker) of "My Hurling Days Are Done":

Forgive him his trespasses, as he might—actually probably wouldn’t—forgive yours. A yodeler on the Alp of himself, calling in his lost sheep, his black sheep, his whipping boys, in that rich and curling tenor, this, ah, complex individual is still in magnificent voice, and still capable of writing superbly, as demonstrated by this cut from his new album, I Am Not a Dog On a Chain.

I'll stick my neck out and suggest that "A yodeler on the Alp of himself" is my favourite description of Morrissey, ever.

This was posted on The Smiths 'official' YouTube channel this past Thursday. Apologies if this was posted previously, í never saw it.


It says it's available in 4K, which is clearly bollocks, as it's BBC videotape which is probably barely HD, let alone UHD.
But still a nice clean, 'live' version. Unlike the 'Complete Picture' version.

.

According to the Billboard weekly charts for April 4, 2020, I Am Not A Dog On A Chain debuts at:

#19 in Top Album Sales
#18 in Top Current Album Sales
#44 in Independent Albums
#17 in Vinyl Albums
#6 in Tastemakers

It did not make the Billboard 200

Billboard Chart History - Morrissey

has their 4/5 stars review been mentioned here before?
rollingstonegermanyreview ianadoac
it praises the songs' melodies and his "absolute freedom to enjoy his privilege of fools that produces wondrous flowery effects".

Not something you see too often these days, but I Am Not A Dog On A Chain features as a free track.


Minor in collectible terms, but some will want it for novelty value I'm sure.
Thanks to Krix for the info.
Regards,
FWD.

For anyone trying to access articles that we have linked to:
It would appear Morrissey Central is currently down (SER's site via the same company is working).
The domain's registration expired yesterday (29th) and will probably reappear when someone remembers to pay up
Not a major story, just an explanation as to why access has stopped - I'm guessing it will be rectified shortly.
Regards,
FWD.

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UPDATE Mar. 31:

Alternate URL is currently working:

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Update April 3:

Regular URL now working.

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Morrissey Hits All The Right Notes On “I Am Not A Dog On A Chain”

“Congratulations, You're still alive.They kicked to kill you. Do not forget, they tried to turn you Into a public target: Welcome to this knockabout world!” Morrissey sings like a martyr on “Knockabout World,” one of the successful pieces on Morrissey’s 13th solo album since The Smiths broke up in 1987.

Despite alienating himself from many fans and the media due to many controversial political comments and last second concert cancelations, he has seemed to hit it out of the park in the studio with his new album “I Am Not A Dog On A Chain”. The recordings have a retro feeling, containing dark keyboards and beautiful harmonies from backup vocals. Lyrically, he utilizes his greatest skills combining misery, self doubt, multiple interpretations and criticisms of his critics. He manages to score all the above, while still creating catchy songs that play in your...