Morrissey Fails To get A Comeback No1 Album, Keane Remain No1.

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Looks like keane are goingto be this years mega selling new stadium band whilst Coldplay take time off.
Oh dear!

― Keane Suck, Sunday, 23 May 2004 19:25 (twenty-two years ago)

that top 40 albums chart is packed with deadly aural pollution

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 23 May 2004 19:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Sanctuary proving that their end-of-week distribution is just as crap as Rough Trade, then.

Still, nearly every Smiths album got kept at number two in the '80s by immortals like the Thompson Twins, Howard Jones and Curiosity Killed The Cat, so presumably people will still be listening to YATQ long after Keane are relegated to the MVE basement.

― Marcello Carlin, Monday, 24 May 2004 09:58 (twenty-two years ago)

How did Morrissey get to number 3 in the singes chart? First time I hear it was on TOTP.

― Enrique (Enrique), Monday, 24 May 2004 10:01 (twenty-two years ago)

its sort of RUBBISH for his highest chart entry ever, innit?

― hobart paving (hobart paving), Monday, 24 May 2004 10:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Enrique he entered at 3 because it's very very easy to do that nowadays (relatively), singles sales being all wack, promotions and marketing being all slick

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 24 May 2004 10:08 (twenty-two years ago)

The obligatory "set of two" CD singles probably explains the top three placing.

Fantastic bloody single, though. The album's not half bad either, even though I think M's singing is better than his lyrics these days.

― Marcello Carlin, Monday, 24 May 2004 10:10 (twenty-two years ago)

I do wonder how he managed to get so many reviews saying what a marvellous change of form the new album is. A couple of listens in, and it sounds more or less like a continuation of the (utterly ignored) 'Maladjusted'. His recent solo career seems more like a steady, almost horizontal, progression in terms of quality, as opposed to this up and down trajectory the music press seem to be portraying. It goes to show what appearing on the front of the NME and playing the 'Paint A Vulgar Picture' game can do for you.

Perhaps, if anything, 'Maladjusted' is better. It feels less self-absorbed.

― hobart paving (hobart paving), Monday, 24 May 2004 10:14 (twenty-two years ago)

'The obligatory "set of two" CD singles probably explains the top three placing.'

slip 'em into different sleeves
buy both, and be deceived...

who wrote that lyric, again??

― hobart paving (hobart paving), Monday, 24 May 2004 10:15 (twenty-two years ago)

It's obviously the Bowie-fication stage. From now on all LPs will be 'His Best Since Viva Hate'. It's Word mag staking a claim on Q's old pitch.
But who buys Moz 45s? -- I thought only 12 year olds bought singles these days.

― Enrique (Enrique), Monday, 24 May 2004 10:17 (twenty-two years ago)

It seems SPM's comeback has awakened the inner 12-year old in many Morrisey enthusiasts previously thought to be hardened cynics. This can only be a good thing (I suspect it's the best thing about this whole comeback business).

― Tim (Tim), Monday, 24 May 2004 10:20 (twenty-two years ago)

I think not changing his tack works in his favour, though. He's obviously decided that this self-absorbed horizontal path is the best and truest way for him. Where I think YATQ scores over Maladjusted is in how it's played and sung. The vocals here (esp. on things like "The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores") are tremendous, almost on the level of his idol Billy Fury in some places (hear the way he sings "believe" and "heart" in "America You Are Not The World" for example), and the musicians seem to be a bit more committed than they were on Maladjusted. Also, getting in Roger Manning on keyboards/FX is a genius touch - the lo-budget synth on "Come Back To Camden" actually emphasises the ruined emotions sung about in the song. The performances help you forget that the album's lyrical content is almost entirely a retread of "Paint A Vulgar Picture," i.e. not very original observations on pop stars, That Court Case, etc., etc., but such is the evident emotion in M's singing that the words can inadvertently be transposed into a more general meaning.

― Marcello Carlin, Monday, 24 May 2004 10:23 (twenty-two years ago)

only in reference to the title of this thread, is either really any better than the other? i betcha there's a helluvalot of crossover between those who bought the keane album and those who shelled out for mozza's record

― Dave Stelfox (Dave Stelfox), Monday, 24 May 2004 10:27 (twenty-two years ago)

I expect you're right, but Mozza didn't quite manage to cross over to the four-wheel-drive lot with this one (also I noted a distinct lack of copies in record shops this weekend).

My feeling is that people who've been on Mozza's side since [insert date of your choice here] will love it but non-fans or ex-fans will be rather bamboozled by the fuss. I think it's a good record but, unless you've got Mozza before, you're probably not going to get him here.

― Marcello Carlin, Monday, 24 May 2004 10:30 (twenty-two years ago)

but then, I'm not sure I need another moz album.

― mark grout (mark grout), Monday, 24 May 2004 10:32 (twenty-two years ago)

but Mozza didn't quite manage to cross over to the four-wheel-drive lot with this one

get thee to crouch end carlin. it's all you can hear from SUVs with child seats in the back and baby-on-board stickers (played at a respectable volume, of course).

(i haven't been to crouch end in years, btw, and this assertion has absolutely no basis in fact, but i'm still running with it.)

― Dave Stelfox (Dave Stelfox), Monday, 24 May 2004 10:33 (twenty-two years ago)

'...Crashing Bores' is my favourite song on the album - it would have made a better single than the current effort, but then he seems to deliberately release weaker songs as singles these days. You're right about the vocals, actually - which is probably why I've been enjoying the album whilst being aware that, lyrically, its really not up to standard.

My friend commented that it sounded like Morrissey trying to sound like Morrissey (hence the Gene comparisons in WGS's top 40 rundown, perhaps). That seems like a fair criticism.

It also makes me wonder who he SHOULD try and sound like. Personally, I'd like to hear him do a Yoko Ono. Possibly a cover of 'Walking On Thin Ice'. Or perhaps he could go S Club Juniors. Preferably without the crop-tops and mascara.

― hobart paving (hobart paving), Monday, 24 May 2004 10:35 (twenty-two years ago)

I'd go with Stelfox -- it's Jonathan Ross/Word magazine stuff. The three million who applied for Glasto tickets and will leave at 10pm.

― Enrique (Enrique), Monday, 24 May 2004 10:36 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm not much interested in Morrissey or the Smiths but I caught a bit of him on Jools Holland and, like Marcello, I was struck by how improved a singer he is these days. Somehow I hadn't thought of Morrissey as a guy who would put in the time to improve his chops, but he obviously has.

― frankiemachine, Monday, 24 May 2004 10:41 (twenty-two years ago)

aside from the earlier demographic point, i do realise that i have nothing to add to this thread really, other than weak comedy and blind ignorance. although, taking into account ilm's usual standard of criticism, this makes me qualified to comment on absolutely anything, i'm actually going to do the decent thing and butt out, so people who care about this stuff can have a decent discussion. cheers folks.

― Dave Stelfox (Dave Stelfox), Monday, 24 May 2004 10:42 (twenty-two years ago)

I agree with Hobart that 'YatQ' is v much 'Maladjusted' pt II. That's not entirely the dis it might seem, as 'Maladjusted' is quite underrated ('Trouble loves me' is equal to anything on the new lp). But not the stunning return to vitality we had been led to believe, no.

Re: the Moz voice, my favourite thing about the new record is the return of his falsetto - last heard on the coda to 'What difference...?'? - the bit on 'Come back to Camden' where he sings "every last inch of me is yours" is... sublime.

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Monday, 24 May 2004 11:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Manchester (United), so much to answer for....

I think one of the key reasons Morrissey lost out on the number one spot (only by 4500 units from 75000 or so) was the FA Cup final - blokes all in the pub and therefore not in HMV while missus buys that song she heard on the radio.

Saw him in Mnachester on Saturday and it was great - very 68 comeback, great sound and a good mix of new album, old stuff and Smiths tunes.

Oh, and I had some of his birthday cake - very nice, chocolate with loads of icing.

― reclusive hero (reclusive hero), Monday, 24 May 2004 11:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Do footy blokes go out with Moz fans? More to the point, are there all that many female Moz fans?

― Enrique (Enrique), Monday, 24 May 2004 12:04 (twenty-two years ago)

(I think the picture drawn was female Keane purchasers)

― mark grout (mark grout), Monday, 24 May 2004 12:07 (twenty-two years ago)

Ah, gotcha. I frigging hate Keane. Even though it's 10 years since I've enjoyed a Morrissey song it's hard to completely turn your back on him.

― Enrique (Enrique), Monday, 24 May 2004 12:08 (twenty-two years ago)

Just a reminder for the Americans: the Craig Kilborn onslaught begins tonight.

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 24 May 2004 12:17 (twenty-two years ago)

Right, who are these Keane wankers.

― Be sure to Loop! Loop, Loop, Loop. (ex machina), Monday, 24 May 2004 12:19 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't much care for the comeback single and the album has so far failed to grow on me. And I love the guy more than any other famous person ever. I don't know... this rich and wondrous Los Angeles lifestyle seems all a bit silly when taken in the face of the same old whinging. I'd say "Trouble Loves Me" is a hundred times better than anything here.

― CRW (CRW), Monday, 24 May 2004 12:38 (twenty-two years ago)

I didn't know you liked the Smiths, CRW.

― Patrick Kinghorn, Monday, 24 May 2004 12:39 (twenty-two years ago)

I like the fact he's still around.

I bought "Alma Matters" more for the authentic island label seven inch, but a fine single anyway...

(aint the packaging ropey for the single though? like they wrapped an advert around...)

― mark grout (mark grout), Monday, 24 May 2004 12:41 (twenty-two years ago)

(Keane represents a new flowering of Brit-emo.)

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 24 May 2004 12:44 (twenty-two years ago)

I LOVE The Smiths.

― CRW (CRW), Monday, 24 May 2004 12:52 (twenty-two years ago)

MJ Hibbett to thread.

― Tim (Tim), Monday, 24 May 2004 12:53 (twenty-two years ago)

Good point well made, Tim.

― N. (nickdastoor), Monday, 24 May 2004 12:55 (twenty-two years ago)

I agree that he is doing very little different apart from co-operating with the media. His Press Agent deserves a medal. If YATQ had been released 18 months after Maladjusted it would have been almost completely ignored.

His voice is very good these days, but the turgid power pop behind it rarely does it justice. He should do an album of folk songs, he has the lilt for it, I reckon. Bert Jansch's Needle of Death or Who Knows Where the Time Goes, for instance.

― bham, Monday, 24 May 2004 13:36 (twenty-two years ago)

When did Britney become such the idee fixe? Perhaps she stood him up one time in L.A.?

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 24 May 2004 20:45 (twenty-two years ago)

Maybe that's why Fred Durst has a Smiths shirt!

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Monday, 24 May 2004 20:49 (twenty-two years ago)

Mozz should cover "Eat You Alive." Your beauty is sooo vain...

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Monday, 24 May 2004 20:50 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't know why, but I can't think of Moz's Britney-hatred, without simultaneously thinking of Michael Musto's overriding love for the Britney idol. There's a parable in there somewhere.

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 24 May 2004 20:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Morrissey's "OMG REALITY POP IS TEH SUXXOR FRANZ FERDINAND ROXXOR" is just tedious NME pandering.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 24 May 2004 20:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Plus surely Will Young is the Morrissey?

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 24 May 2004 20:59 (twenty-two years ago)

If I were FF I would be sort of miffed. In interviews, the only thing M. can say in their favor is that they are all the same height and that they look well together. Sure, there is an element of teasing in this, but he must think their music sucks if he can't come up with any better quotes to champion them with. Not that I blame him, I can't see what else he could say in their favor. I think he should have had Mike Skinner doing support; that would have been a much better choice.

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 24 May 2004 21:31 (twenty-two years ago)

Argh: Kilborn taping cancelled?. I was so looking forward.

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 24 May 2004 21:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Grrr.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Monday, 24 May 2004 21:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Seriously, though, what was he thinking? Manchester on Sat., La on Monday, Dublin on June 5...what does he think he is, Superman?

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 24 May 2004 22:20 (twenty-two years ago)

Maybe he's really upset at missing out on the no. 1? When I think of how important it is to him, he seems like a throwback, but then I think of even the Smiths at Rough Trade, were totally focussed on chart placement, and not being indie...I wonder why?

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 24 May 2004 22:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Because it's fun and good to be famous?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 24 May 2004 22:54 (twenty-two years ago)

official report on the Kilborn no-show They're going to play a clip from his 2002 appearance--I was a fan of it at the time but that cardigan looks so frumpy in comparison to the '04 wardrobe.

― Mary (Mary), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 03:53 (twenty-two years ago)

And the WB's 'Pepsi Smash' falls by the wayside as well.

― Mary (Mary), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 16:14 (twenty-two years ago)

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