Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Eclectic and Surprising, 22 Jun 2003
Let me clear this up: I'm a huge Morrissey and Smiths fan. I adore just about everything Morrissey has ever done, and that was what motivated me to buy this album.However, I fully expected this compilation to be utterly awful. I might love Morrissey but it certainly isn't blind love, in fact I've always thought a lot of the music he liked was quite frankly a bit rubbish. Yet, when I finally got around to listening to the album two days after I bought it, I found it both compulsive and exciting. I'll freely admit that I had only heard of 10 or so of the 15 artists featured, and I was pleasently surprised to find how enjoyable most of the tracks were. Bands like the New York Dolls and T Rex I've always admired, yet it was some of the bands that I had heard little of that jumped out, Ludus, the Sundown Playboys and the Cats all impressing. Of course, it's not all good. Certain tracks seem out of place, grainy old records following up new wave for example. It lacks a sense on continuity throughout, although perhaps that is what makes it compulsive listening - waiting to see what Moz has thrown on next. A few tracks almost lived up to my pre-purchase 'utterly awful' expectations, yet perhaps it is because I had such low expectations that I have been so pleasently surprised by the album. The sleeve notes from the man himself are a nice touch, and if you're a fan of Morrissey then you'd be a fool not to pick up this album.
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Before Morrissey, 10 Jun 2003
Anyone who has seen Mozz live over the last few years will be interested in this - many of the tracks here have appeared on live performance intro tapes, and the influences of the others are clear enough. He's been listening to these. This isn't clever, clever stuff, just what you'd expect, and all the better for that - the right mixture of rockabilly and angst.
The only times it is a bit too clever are the Sparks track (obviously, Looks Looks Looks would have been a much more significant choice, pure proto-mozz lyrics) and Nico - we've put up with a lot of Nico over the years, but this isn't the one that springs to mind!
In a funny way, this collection also seems to draw a line under the stasis that set in about the time of Southpaw Grammar, which now seems centuries ago; Morrissey is leaner and fitter than he's ever been; the recent world tour was the best thing he's done for a decade or more, and the new songs are fab. The new album promises much, and this is will do till then.
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11 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Last of The Famous International Popstars, 4 Jun 2003
A strange, fey and eclectic mix of tunes, blending the ethereal deathly tones of Klaus Nomi with the punk immediacy of the Ramones and The New York Dolls. Meanwhile the heaving sexuality of Diana Dors rubs herself suggestively against Charlie Feathers who has one hand loose. Morrissey in one fell swoop shows just why he was, is and will always remain, the ultimate popstar. Could anyone imagine Gareth Gates lovingly compiling a mix tape of his influences? Would anyone listen as the name of his hair stylist, marketing manager, and so on were delivered in monotone over one of his risible cover versions? Morrissey's acerbic wit and complete understanding of how the pop game works ensures he remains curiously unloved by the multitudes. The more we want him the less he gives, but isn't that they way of life? Nothing hurts as much but feels as good as unrequited love. But the multitudes matter little, who would want their affection? They purchase Gareth Gates records and think Primo Levi makes jeans. This is a leap into Morrissey's genius and for those familiar with his work this is an interesting game of spot the influence. For those of you unfortunate enough to be without the intellect, the nerve or the haircut to have been touched by the hand of Moz, set yourself apart from the unthinking masses take a backward leap and feel the heady rush of delirious exhilaration as your fall is cushioned by the influences of the last great pop star. The songs on this compilation are interesting, challenging, original, and witty. They are Morrissey, he is them.
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