Note: After a seven-year break between solo albums #6 and #7 (1997 – 2004), he’s turned around his 8th solo album in less than two years.
Sound: His infamously melodramatic croon and comical pessimism meet up with a harder-and-more-upbeat-than-usual version of his romantic Brit pop. Morrissey sounds re-energized and possibly more comfortable to be alive than he ever has before. Sometimes a cheerier artist is dull and disappointing, but this newfound confidence suits him.
Look For: Morrissey’s sexual coming out party. After years of repression, he delivers the shocking lines “There are explosive kegs between my legs” and “Now I’m spreading your legs, with mine in between” in the confessional and therapeutic “Dear God, Please Help Me.”
Heavy Rotation tracks: none
Medium Rotation tracks: “The Father Who Must Be Killed“; “The Youngest Was the Most Loved“; “At Last I Am Born“; “I Just Want to See the Boy
Happy“; “You Have Killed Me“
Recommended: His last album You Are The Quarry had two standout tracks (”First of the Gang To Die” and “Irish Blood, English Heart“) and the rest was hit or miss. Ringleader of the Tormentors is consistently good, but unfortunately never great.
Grade: B

(As posted 5/1/06 on davepowersmusic.com)
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