Morrissey’s Latest Is His Most - The Federalist

"Morrissey’s Latest Is His Most - The Federalist
By David Marcus

The master of mope is back at it and his latest is close to his best.

Last week, the almost-cancelled 1980’s, 90’s, and now’s alt-music star Morrissey dropped a new single. It somehow manages to be a complete surprise while fitting onto his oeuvre like a glove. “Love Is On Its Way Out” is the most Morrissey of Morrissey song titles. He is almost mocking his own maudlin tendencies, but inside this song there is a lot to think about.

The song begins with its title, and Morrissey matter of factly explains that love is on its way out. It’s tired, it’s done, it’s over. Throughout his career Morrissey has taken a skeptical view of love. Usually he expresses that he is not worthy of it. In songs like “I Want The One I Can’t Have,” Morrissey paints himself as un-lovable, the title of another of his songs.

The bizarre joke about Morrissey has always been that his fans think he’s super hot with his strong jaw and erect puff of black hair, yet he paints himself as a grotesque gargoyle. This tension has worked its way throughout his entire time in the spotlight. Johnny Carson, the most affable and bright guy on TV, often admitted he was hopelessly shy, what we saw was deflection. So it is with Morrissey.

Love is on its way out. It doesn’t seem like any specific love. This isn’t a break-up, yet. This is love generally. It moves into kids being victims of war and the “sad rich” killing elephants and lions. Quick note here that big-game hunting actually provides considerable funding for conservation, but, setting that on one side: Morrissey is talking about love leaving the world.

Might we wonder if this is true? Is love leaving the world? Do we just hate each other now? Do we refuse to shake hands and rip up speeches? Do we glare at the enemy with glowing animosity? We often do. We probably have a problem.

The song is unique for Morrissey, as it not guitar-driven. Moz has been blessed with absurd guitar talent. As front man for the Smiths, he sang alongside Johnny Marr, a master of the Rickenbacker with no rival. Since going solo, Morrissey has crooned above Boz Boorer, a more workmanlike version of Marr but with his own magic.

But not on this track. The backing here is almost purely electronic. It’s a synth pop style that feels foreign to Morrissey, who at the end of the day, even though it seems weird, is more a rock star than a pop star. But his voice rises above the digital beats as usual, a little bored, a little distracted, until the end.

After, I don’t know, a harpsichord solo? Flush with vague soprano flourishes, the song launches into its coda. And the guitars are back. The niche pop Morrissey tune is suddenly a severe and meaningful one. He’s not joking now. He asks that before love goes, before it makes its bow and exit that someone, we never know who, take the time to show him what its like. As much actor as singer as he always is, he begs. The song turns.

“Take time, be mine and gaze with fondness on the wrong one.” It’s Morrissey understanding his entire philosophy. One based in simple moments that don’t come often enough. A look across a table that makes you think you have value. But also the recognition that you can never truly be what people want you to be.

I had a wonderful history teacher in high school named Don Kawash who was also a professional ragtime piano player. One day I had lunch with him, when he was in his 60s. He said, “David, when I was 25 I could hit any note, but I didn’t know what they meant. Now I know what they mean but I can’t hit them all.” Morrissey knows what the notes mean now and he’s hitting them. This is no retro act; he is making some of his very best music."

https://thefederalist.com/2020/02/07/morrisseys-latest-is-his-most/
 
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This was a well written and very positive review. He actually spent some time with the song! Imagine!

Both of the singles are certainly growing on me. I'm very excited for the new album!!
 
The song is indeed powerful...," there's a song I CAN STAND, and it'stuck in my head", it has been a while since a Moz single has been able to do that....
 
Not everything is right-wing. There's nothing right-wing about that review. Two secs! I'ma check and see if the reviewer mentions either 'right' or 'wing'.

You may be on to something, Skinnybob! He mentioned 'bright' and 'glowing'.
Exactly. In the one instance when it alludes to politics, it does so objectively. It criticizes both Pelosi (for ripping up Trump's speech) and Trump (for refusing to shake Pelosi's hand). There is not one right wing biased word in this review.
 
And not a single mention of political views at all - a music review which focuses on the music without trying to use it as a chance to gain clout by virtue signalling. As opposed to the mostly negative reviews where even when they outright state they aren't going to focus on politics, they still do. I swear that people make a bigger deal of his views than he does. He mentions a line here or a line there and there are pages upon pages upon pages written about it.

Yes, there is a political mention at "Do we refuse to shake hands and rip up speeches?" Mentioning the fact that Trump did not shake hands with Nancy Pelosi and the latest ripped up Trump's speech at the end. Actually, that's the way the world goes...
 
This was a well written and very positive review. He actually spent some time with the song! Imagine!

Both of the singles are certainly growing on me. I'm very excited for the new album!!

So, you're a fan of articles from Nazi websites that reinforce your views?
 
I know you're name is describing your asshole but don't start trolling me. I'm not here for that shit save it for someone else
So yes, there are things worse in life than never being someone's sweetie. Let the mask fall and show some aggression, when people can't take the premature adulation about a song that is nothing but a pale shadow of his earlier solo work. Absurd is the word for the typical Morrissey fans 2020!
 
Why compare the work he does today with what he’s done so long ago yesterday?

People always limit themselves by doing this, it surely is not a way to enjoy life and what it brings to us NOW
TODAY.

Oh well.


:cool:
 
It’s the pope of mope, the stupid c***, I stopped reading there. But by master, I’m guessing it was a jizz fest of a review, befitting of thewlis himself.
 
Why compare the work he does today with what he’s done so long ago yesterday?

People always limit themselves by doing this, it surely is not a way to enjoy life and what it brings to us NOW
TODAY.

Oh well.


:cool:

cos you’re always upheld to your highest capabilities, you low expectation twat.
 
Can you make a post without having to resort to name calling?

You really need help.

can you grow up. People decline and you’re in denial. If ronaldo started scoring 10 goals a season instead of 45 in 2012, would you still lick his rim and say he’s consistent? Morrissey is shite now! That’s why he gets compared to his best work from the past. Get over it
 
Why compare the work he does today with what he’s done so long ago yesterday?
People always limit themselves by doing this, it surely is not a way to enjoy life and what it brings to us NOW
TODAY.
Oh well.
:cool:
People limit themselves because they claim that Morrissey has lost the ability to bring timeless good pop songs to the market? With lyrics and music that are on par with most of your early solo career? So do you deny people the ability to formulate what they don't like anymore?
I'll tell you what your problem is and unfortunately also that of your lord and master. You would like everyone to like the new stuff and be offended if there is a headwind. Then it gets uncomfortable and quickly it is said that critics have no clue. When I read parts of your comments, I sometimes have the feeling, that an 11 year old reacts defiantly because people criticize his favorite star.
 
The Federalist is interested in culture war dissidents even if they don't know or share their politics. They've got an open mind that way.

& the dissident left doesn't have a party or a proper movement yet, we just end up arguing around issues like freedom of speech or women's rights.
 
cos you’re always upheld to your highest capabilities, you low expectation twat.
You should never start a sentence with cos, or because.... you crack pipe addict ... Baz’s spelling corrector has taught me this.... does the 86 refer to the dime bars you eat per day... you gormless knuckle scraper ...
 
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