The title says it all really - I'd be very interested to hear everyone's views on Morrissey's debut solo album.
Personally, I think it's his finest work as a solo artist. As an ardent 17 year old Smiths fan, I loved it when it was released, and 25 years on, as a broken 42 year old, I still love it. I think it's a timeless, poetic, resonant and evocative masterpiece that he hasn't improved on since.
That said, I do think that the 2012 remaster was very badly handled. Although the sonics were improved somewhat, there was nothing wrong with them in the first place, and the butchering of 'Late Night, Maudlin Street' and replacement of 'Ordinary Boys' with 'Treat Me Like A Human Being' were spectacular misjudgements by Morrissey (as Stephen Street has himself said). I remember reading a hilarious comment at the time that Moz was doing a George Lucas on the album, and I think thats pretty much on the nail.
I'll weigh in with a lot more words on the album shortly, as I want to do it justice and don't have the time right now. But in the meantime, please feel free to air your own opinions - be they good, bad or ugly - on the album.
Personally, I think it's his finest work as a solo artist. As an ardent 17 year old Smiths fan, I loved it when it was released, and 25 years on, as a broken 42 year old, I still love it. I think it's a timeless, poetic, resonant and evocative masterpiece that he hasn't improved on since.
That said, I do think that the 2012 remaster was very badly handled. Although the sonics were improved somewhat, there was nothing wrong with them in the first place, and the butchering of 'Late Night, Maudlin Street' and replacement of 'Ordinary Boys' with 'Treat Me Like A Human Being' were spectacular misjudgements by Morrissey (as Stephen Street has himself said). I remember reading a hilarious comment at the time that Moz was doing a George Lucas on the album, and I think thats pretty much on the nail.
I'll weigh in with a lot more words on the album shortly, as I want to do it justice and don't have the time right now. But in the meantime, please feel free to air your own opinions - be they good, bad or ugly - on the album.
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