Favorite Track from YOR [Archive] - Morrissey-solo Forums

MozIsGod

January 5, 2009, 04:18 AM

'Sorry doesn't help' - the weakest track? Who agrees?

I think "Sorry Doesn't Help" is one of the more memorable songs on the album. It's also refreshing to hear that Jesse's co-writes are much better than anything he's previously written.

I'd have to say "When I Last Spoke To Carol" and even "Black Cloud" are the weakest tracks. Especially "Black Cloud," which I was REALLY looking forward to.

vAndreav

January 5, 2009, 04:49 AM

definitely Birthday, so powerful, and Throwing my arms around paris, i'm so in love with the piano. but i LOVE LOVE LOVE the lyrics of black cloud.

bored

January 5, 2009, 04:54 AM

As always.. I'm doing something wrong.. Birthday is probably my least favourite track :/

Ryan.

January 5, 2009, 05:05 AM

As always.. I'm doing something wrong..

You sure are.

Depeche609

January 5, 2009, 05:56 AM

As always.. I'm doing something wrong.. Birthday is probably my least favourite track :/

Agreed. It's a great song, but I have 3 others that I am obsessed with on the album. I will say his voice songs excellent in Birthday though.

MrTheEdge

January 5, 2009, 06:07 AM

sorry but Black Cloud is definitely not single material. id say overall the album is really good, all the songs go together but im not gonna go out on a limb by saying its one of his greatest records. Skull, Paris, Carol, Birthday are the top 4. I also believe the first half is much better than the last with the exCeption of Birthday of course. maybe a few more listens will win me over ?

Ugly Devil

January 5, 2009, 11:47 AM

I think "Sorry Doesn't Help" is one of the more memorable songs on the album. It's also refreshing to hear that Jesse's co-writes are much better than anything he's previously written.

I'd have to say "When I Last Spoke To Carol" and even "Black Cloud" are the weakest tracks. Especially "Black Cloud," which I was REALLY looking forward to.

Nah, it's a filler - It doesn't really go anywhere, and the the melody line is pretty weak. The poll agrees with me, no one has voted for it yet. :)

SW6withme

January 5, 2009, 12:23 PM

Carol is such a great song! It gets my vote. To be honest I can't see why birthday seems to be the winner here.

Suedebread

January 5, 2009, 01:07 PM

SISMS.

My most eagerly anticipated track (yes, even over the brand new ones), I've been caning the Jools Holland audio rip of it for the last 10 months or so.

Glad to say it delivers. The production is heavy, it rocks so hard, I love it! :guitar:

One thing that I'm not entirely sure about is the slightly different outro, but I don't dislike it... so yeah, definitely the best track and an inspired choice for the opener.

Elle

January 5, 2009, 01:28 PM

Birthday for me I think. For now.
Absolutely adore SISMS!

Depeche609

January 5, 2009, 02:04 PM

When Last I Spoke to Carol reminds me of the theme song to Flight of the Concords..

Assassin

January 5, 2009, 02:04 PM

I went for Mama. I've always liked it.

But Birthday, Skull, Black Cloud and Carol are close behind...

Poppy Full

January 5, 2009, 02:15 PM

I'll probably change my mind, but right now my favourite is 'Mama...', with 'Paris' and 'Carol' following.
I'm not too sure about 'It's Not Your Birthday Anymore' :( I love the lyrics and the first verse, but the chorus just does nothing for me.
I like all the others, with the possible exception of 'You Were Good In Your Time', which I think needs to grow on me a little.

Chartres

January 5, 2009, 02:45 PM

When Last I Spoke To Carol and Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed are incredibly strong songs.

Maurice E

January 5, 2009, 02:53 PM

Well, looks like the best four songs are all Alain Whyte compositions. Let's hope he and Moz can maintain (at least) their songwriting relationship.
All the songs with no votes (so far) were written by Boz or Jesse.

Is there anything that would make a decent follow-up single? That will determine whether the album has any chart longevity/decent sales. First of the Gang and Everyday is Like Sunday have been the only second singles strong enough to revitalise the albums from whence they came.
Otherwise, they tend to drop from the chart within 4-6 weeks…

jammy jam

January 5, 2009, 03:29 PM

Birthday and Paris get my vote! both great songs! The Album works very well as a collection of songs, but in an age where downloading individual tracks is vital, i fear for its success!

Practising Troublemaker

January 5, 2009, 03:32 PM

I cannot decide between Birthday and Carol...both great tracks

Love PTxx.

mikematronik

January 5, 2009, 03:33 PM

When Last I Spoke to Carol :guitar:

bored

January 5, 2009, 03:41 PM

Birthday and Paris get my vote! both great songs! The Album works very well as a collection of songs, but in an age where downloading individual tracks is vital, i fear for its success!

While in most cases this would be a legitimate concern, the biggest problem with this album that will prevent music sales is the word Morrissey on the cover.

At this point in time, radio stations are not going to just start playing his songs. Whoever plays him now will play this record. Whoever doesn't will continue to ignore him.

It's sad when bands like Nickleback get played BECAUSE the name on the record is Nickleback but that's the sad world we live in.

Maurice E

January 5, 2009, 03:48 PM

At this point in time, radio stations are not going to just start playing his songs. Whoever plays him now will play this record. Whoever doesn't will continue to ignore him.

This isn't strictly the case. Although many stations (e.g. Capital and Magic) won't play a Morrissey song regardless of how good it is, there are a few that will make a judgement on the quality of the song.
Radio 2's the obvious example. THPGU was their most played song for a couple of weeks, but they didn't even put AYNIM on their C list.
Xfm will always give some spins to a Morrrissey single but this will also depend on how good they think it is. Unlike Virgin, they're keen to stay on good terms with him so would never completely ignore his stuff. Virgin will only playlist Morrissey songs which they consider to be particularly good (First of the Gang was the last one they playlisted).

herge65

January 5, 2009, 05:27 PM

When Last I Spoke To Carol!

Fabulous!

Black Eyed

January 5, 2009, 05:30 PM

So difficult to choose and I'll probably end up changing my mind over and over. However right now, 'Its Not Your Birthday' actually send shivers up and down my spine:p:p Moz at his very best:guitar:

IDon'tOweYouAnything23

January 5, 2009, 06:52 PM

Black Cloud is sublime.

Ready With Ready-Wit

January 5, 2009, 06:54 PM

It's pretty damn easy. I think It's Not Your Birthday Anymore just beat out I Know It's Over as my favorite all-time now.... :D:D:D:D

CH3COOH

January 5, 2009, 07:48 PM

Carol and Skull are my favs. With Carol edging it out for best song.

AYNIM might have been my favorite if I had not been listening to it for the last 10 months.

someofusisturningnasty

January 5, 2009, 09:12 PM

Black Cloud is sublime.

Agreed!

I just can't believe how good this album is...

Uncleskinny

January 5, 2009, 09:24 PM

Uncleskinny

January 5, 2009, 09:34 PM

Skull has grown large balls and is an absolutely irresistible second single. Has to be. Best on the album by a mile. Black Cloud and Birthday honourable second and third.

By the way, I apologise to Mr. Morrissey for downloading it, I know I shouldn't have, but my message to you is that it's your best in years, and I will be buying every format as well as attending gigs.

Peter

P.S - The start of Black Cloud reminds me so much of Death Cult/Cult (Ghost Dance/83rd Dream), and it chugs along with the bassline of Eton Rifles, which is no bad thing at all. All in all, a terrific return to top form.

PsychodelicateGirl

January 6, 2009, 01:35 AM

It's Not Your Birthday Anymore, is fucking gorgeous!
I was so damned worried that this album wasn't going to be very good, but I truly love it, its beautiful...

AllYouNeedIsMoz

January 6, 2009, 03:11 AM

Black Cloud absolutely rocks and I love it.
I'm not understanding the Carol love, but maybe I just need to listen to it a few more times. Sometimes the place a song falls on an album influences my like/dislike for it at first, because I already get overwhelmed with the first songs and need to absorb them for a while.

Seasick

January 6, 2009, 03:57 AM

I must be the only one that likes "You were good in your time". It's just so soothing and you can really hear his voice so clearly.

CrystalGeezer

January 6, 2009, 04:08 AM

It's Not Your Birthday Anymore, is fucking gorgeous!

I agree. I was rather impressed with the choice to make the drumkit sound as though it's in a completely separate studio with the door open but recording at the same time as the voice.

oye terence

January 6, 2009, 04:16 AM

right now its a tie between "carol" and "birthday"
i like the album quite a bit.

cesar1978

January 6, 2009, 05:53 AM

It's Not Your Birthday Anymore!! Hands down... :guitar:

Jamie

January 6, 2009, 06:10 AM

I must be the only one that likes "You were good in your time". It's just so soothing and you can really hear his voice so clearly.

It's a beaut, wish there were more songs like it on the album. Great lyric and nice atmosphere. The end gets a bit ropey for me because it feels like a head-on collision of the found sounds from Asleep, Seasick, Yet Still Docked, I've Changed My Plea to Guilty, I Know It's Gonna Happen Someday, and Black-Eyed Susan.

I still vote for Birthday because (a) his voice is remarkable - never gone so high before w/out falsetto, (b) the perversity of the lyric in the middle section underpinned by that lovely clarinet work from Boz.

By the way, Alain posted another cracking instrumental to his myspace page called It Was You. It feels of a piece with his YoR work.

Cheers,
Jamie

Irryco

January 6, 2009, 01:55 PM

It's not your birthday anymore. Great track. : ) You were Good in your time iis nice too, could have been even better, though.

lovemorrissey

January 6, 2009, 01:57 PM

As always.. I'm doing something wrong.. Birthday is probably my least favourite track :/

No you aint, I agree.

The album version of Squeezing My Skull rocks :guitar: by far the best track!!

withmyheadonthebar

January 6, 2009, 02:03 PM

'Sorry doesn't help' - the weakest track? Who agrees?

Me.

right now its a tie between "carol" and "birthday"

Me too.

herge65

January 6, 2009, 02:35 PM

Carol has distinct echoes of 'Man Called Marco' from Adam Ant's 'Friend Or Foe' album...anyone else get that...?

Multi

January 6, 2009, 02:35 PM

I agree. I was rather impressed with the choice to make the drumkit sound as though it's in a completely separate studio with the door open but recording at the same time as the voice.

Though a bit different, that's what Joy Division did.

bored

January 6, 2009, 03:03 PM

This isn't strictly the case. Although many stations (e.g. Capital and Magic) won't play a Morrissey song regardless of how good it is, there are a few that will make a judgement on the quality of the song.
Radio 2's the obvious example. THPGU was their most played song for a couple of weeks, but they didn't even put AYNIM on their C list.
Xfm will always give some spins to a Morrrissey single but this will also depend on how good they think it is. Unlike Virgin, they're keen to stay on good terms with him so would never completely ignore his stuff. Virgin will only playlist Morrissey songs which they consider to be particularly good (First of the Gang was the last one they playlisted).

I am speaking about America.
The radio stations see the name Morrissey and they don't even give a listen to the promo. They just put it in the bin of promos they are going to sell to the local record shop.

The college radio/alternative stations will play it. The rest of the country will ignore it completely. It has nothing to do with the quality of the songs.

He should do a Green Day thing where they release a record under a fake name. Sure everyone will know it's him but at least they will listen.

No you aint, I agree.

The album version of Squeezing My Skull rocks :guitar: by far the best track!!

I think Skull would have been a great lead-off single.

It's got some great hooks to it, it's musically fierce, it's lyrically approachable to so many people.

I swear Morrissey tries hard to have his records fail. Johnny Marr even admits they made some bad choices for singles back in the day, specifically citing That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore.

Just because a song is a great song doesn't mean it should be a single.

I will give him credit, the single choices off Quarry were good. ROTT single choices were good for the first 2. The second 2 were decent choices but a little weak but I don't think there were any songs overlooked for singles.

Paris I guess to me sounds a lot like the same old song with a new lyric.

Skull is fresh and reveals something new about Morrissey.

Tilly Fludd

January 6, 2009, 03:26 PM

I think Skull would have been a great lead-off single.

It's got some great hooks to it, it's musically fierce, it's lyrically approachable to so many people.

As I sit here listening to Skull again I agree with you 110%. Currently my favourite track from the album and a great opener.

Jose

January 6, 2009, 04:17 PM

Black Cloud is my favourite, with Birthday as a very close second.

Sister Rose

January 6, 2009, 04:19 PM

I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris

Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed

Orson Swells

January 6, 2009, 05:00 PM

1. It's Not Your Birthday Anymore
2. When Last I Spoke To Carol
3. I'm Okay By Myself

vicarinatutugal

January 7, 2009, 11:38 AM

Black Cloud is my favourite, with Birthday as a very close second.

same at the moment :)

celibatesafordian!

January 7, 2009, 12:05 PM

Birthday is a classic and his best track in a long time although mama is a close second all in all a great album even with THPGU included! :rolleyes:

Sharron Needles

January 7, 2009, 12:29 PM

I have a feeling that "Black Cloud" will be one of those songs that people might be a bit iffy about initially, but people's minds might change when they hear it live. It sounds like one of those tracks that will give a real ass kicking when played live, I think.

Maurice E

January 7, 2009, 08:04 PM

These results make for intriguing reading for those of us who’ve yet to hear the album e.g. me! Looks like Alain’s written the four best songs, plus Paris has done pretty well (well done Boz!). Then we get a clutch of similarly rated songs (Black Cloud, I’m OK, Good in your time). Then things drop off on the remaining Boz and Jesse compositions. Goodbye does ok but it’s a disaster for the previous two singles and Sorry. Shows how rubbish Morrissey is at picking singles. Also, shows that Alain doesn’t need to actually play on his songs for us to appreciate them.
Will be fascinating to hear the other Morrissey/ Whyte compositions that have been left for B-sides. Surely a few of them will prove to be better than the lowest scoring ones on the album?

lainey

January 7, 2009, 08:13 PM

Black Cloud is sublime.

I love it too

lainey

January 7, 2009, 08:18 PM

Wall of Death

January 7, 2009, 08:30 PM

Black Cloud is my favourite, with Birthday as a very close second.

couldn't agree more. his voice is amazing on Birthday. First time i heard it i was busy doing some work and actually had to stop what i was doing and listen.

Multi

January 7, 2009, 08:47 PM

Mama is creeping up against I'm OK By Myself to be my fav track. Both are great.

GlasgowChivas

January 7, 2009, 08:50 PM

1. It's Not Your Birthday Anymore - Stunned me at first, wasn't sure if it was good or crazy or bad. Repeated listens have formed the opinion that it is great and most of all I'm happy to see him trying something new and sounding so energized.

"that we said............YESTER-DAY!!!!!!!AAAAHHHH!!!!!" *shivers!*

A great track - will be awsome live.

2. I'm Okay By Myself - His vocal delivery in this is amazing And I love the "AAAAHHHHS" you can hear at the start of the track. Definately Jesse's finest composition - driving, relentless and crunchy. Love the drops in volume when Moz starts talking about the "arms around his waist / shoulder". The No-OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO'SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS at the end are great. I'm invading the stage at this one - oh! The irony! Wouldn't have closed the album with it but hey - I'm no record producer.

3. Black Cloud - Again, it's the vocal delivery that makes this one for me - the music itself is great - Boz has really stepped up here whereas on THPGU and ODGWBF I felt he just going through the motions.

Worst track by a Manchester Mile is Sorry Doesn't Help - not even a B-Side

GC

CrookedLittleVein

January 7, 2009, 11:24 PM

Black Cloud is my favourite, with Birthday as a very close second.

Birthday and Black Cloud for me. There seems to be a general consensus as to the quality of Birthday, but Black Cloud seems to have underwhelmed people. Maybe Boz describing it as 'mighty' created an unrealistic expectation. Whatever, it's a great song. Reminds me a bit of the theme from Rawhide (Black Clooouuuuud, h'yah!).

Both Black Cloud and Birthday are quite complex musically, wandering off-course until they almost transform into different songs entirely, then finding their way back again. Really fascinating.

Love them.

withmyheadonthebar

January 8, 2009, 07:59 AM

I think maybe Black Cloud takes a few more listens to get into. When I first heard it I was like (as previously noted) "well, it's good, but it's not mighty," but now I'm starting to think that maybe 'mighty' is rather a good description for it - particularly when it comes to Moz's singing (which is pretty much tremendous all through the album, but particularly here).

Abrahan

January 9, 2009, 02:53 PM

Black Cloud is sublime.

definitely the best track on the album.

and it reminds me a bit of "don't feel the reaper" at the beginning.

http://www.journerdism.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/cowbell.jpg

nugz

January 9, 2009, 03:01 PM

definitely the best track on the album.

and it reminds me a bit of "don't feel the reaper" at the beginning.

http://www.journerdism.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/cowbell.jpg

omg you're right.

i did think it sounded kinda "classic rocky." for some reason the band Kansas popped into my head at first, haha, but no, you're right. Blue Oyster Cult. :cool:

oh and its "fear" not "feel"

3~JeremyStephen~3

January 10, 2009, 01:51 AM

Skull!!!

The Spirit of '69

January 10, 2009, 01:57 AM

Skull!!!

Well, yes.

jm26

January 10, 2009, 02:52 AM

starless

January 10, 2009, 03:54 AM

I can't get into Black Cloud, the lyrics don't do it for me ... The vocal melody is fine, but the lyrics kind of get nowhere.

Could anyone explain what I am missing here please?

esheh195

January 10, 2009, 05:12 AM

I had to take a few days to listen to the album obsessively before coming to any opinion, but I think Black Cloud is now my favorite song on the album, Moz sounds great, the music is catchy as all hell and I love the lyrics...for some reason I can't help singing this sound out loud whenever it comes on. Can't wait to see it live.

Second and third place would probably be When Last I Spoke to Carol and I'm OK By Myself.

All in all....I love the album...something about it definitely sounds different from past Moz recordings and even though we've heard 1/2 the tunes already, they all fit really nicely together.
Plus, while many seem to bitch that Moz's lyrics have been on a decline for years...I think that while he's gone from a poetic/romantic style of writing to more of a blunt/direct style...these songs might have some of the best lyrics I've seen from him in some time...certainly better than most of ROTT and IMHO, most of YATQ.

StillillGal

January 10, 2009, 07:27 AM

first listen!!!
sounds great!!!
mama is my fav for now:)

StillillGal

January 10, 2009, 08:14 AM

Mute Witness = It's Not Your Birthday Anymore

you hear it too? :P

oh and i really liked how Something Is Squeezing My Skull came out

Dothatagain?

January 10, 2009, 09:48 AM

Plus, while many seem to bitch that Moz's lyrics have been on a decline for years...I think that while he's gone from a poetic/romantic style of writing to more of a blunt/direct style...

I'm not sure about that - I don't think Morrissey has ever been a flowery poetic writer, full of metaphors and all the rest of it. Even with the Smiths, his writing was blunt and direct for the most part. The difference is that his early lyrics seemed cleverer, his words better-chosen with some amazing turns of phrase, his subjects more varied, his humourous lines genuinely funny. If I hear "the one I love" in one of his songs one more time ...

That said, I do think this is a very good album, and it's probably my favourite of his 00s albums. His voice has certainly never sounded better.

ThePersonUnderneath

January 10, 2009, 02:18 PM

It's all about Birthday!

Still, it's a bit sad that AYNIM has only got one vote. I know we've all had it around for ages but it's brilliant!

I dunno why, but Carol is taking a long time with me... Someone put me right!

spleenhead

January 10, 2009, 07:14 PM

All decent songs but the last two are a bit of a letdown for me. Sorry Doesn't Help is especially pointless.

CARDIFF CITY FC

January 10, 2009, 08:23 PM

Black cloud by a country mile

Sister Rose

January 10, 2009, 08:25 PM

Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed

StillillGal

January 10, 2009, 10:57 PM

All decent songs but the last two are a bit of a letdown for me. Sorry Doesn't Help is especially pointless.

i LOVE sorry dosen't help

northernleech

January 10, 2009, 11:23 PM

Carol has distinct echoes of 'Man Called Marco' from Adam Ant's 'Friend Or Foe' album...anyone else get that...?

ha ha ! i love that album ! its that spaghetti western motif ! bizarre boz connection there between moz and monsieur ant

Seasick

January 11, 2009, 12:01 AM

ha ha ! i love that album ! its that spaghetti western motif ! bizarre boz connection there between moz and monsieur ant

I get the spaghetti western feel too. Would love to see a video with samples from Clint Eastwwod in Fist Full of Dollars.

Bluebirds

January 11, 2009, 12:58 AM

ha ha ! i love that album ! its that spaghetti western motif ! bizarre boz connection there between moz and monsieur ant

Marco Perroni?? Adam ant's erstwhile bassist. Rendered a legend in Ant rap?

somebody loved me

January 11, 2009, 02:41 PM

It changes every day. Yesterday was "One day goodbye will be farewell".
Today I am quite obsessed with "Black Cloud", an absolute stunner.
Oh and I believe tomorrow will be "I'm ok by myself", that one is growing on me big time.
M

nowherefast944

January 11, 2009, 03:07 PM

i'm surprised Mama is getting so few votes!

it's such a strong song

justme

January 11, 2009, 03:30 PM

i'm surprised Mama is getting so few votes!

it's such a strong song

I adore Mama :) - this can only mean that YoR is full of good songs ;)

Suedebread

January 11, 2009, 04:12 PM

i'm surprised Mama is getting so few votes!

it's such a strong song.

I adore Mama :) - this can only mean that YoR is full of good songs ;)

My least favourite on the album. Sometimes it's weird how polarised people's opinions can be. :)

CandyCanegirl

January 12, 2009, 02:42 PM

Favourites at the moment for me are,
I'm Ok By Myself
Something is Squeezing My Skull
I'm Throwing my Arms around Paris
When I last spoke to Carol,
Well these are the ones I can't stop singing.I'm not really loving It's Not your Birthday as much as everyone else seems to be, but I like it.

spleenhead

January 12, 2009, 03:01 PM

I didn't think It's Not Your Birthday Anymore had made that huge an impression on me until I woke up at 4.30 this morning and haven't slept since because I can't get it out of my head!

Skinner

January 12, 2009, 03:05 PM

I was torn between Sorry Doesn't Help Us, and I'm Ok By Myself. I keep playing those 2 over and over again but I think Sorry wins it.

At least for now. I could have a new favorite in 2 hours :p:o

Sherry

January 13, 2009, 03:05 AM

"Black Cloud" is my favorite then "It's Not Your Birthday Anymore" is also a beautiful one..I really love the album

This charming man.

January 13, 2009, 01:48 PM

I hope everyone that has posted on here is still going to buy the album. I'd detest it if you were a bunch of thieves. :mad:

avram sanchez

January 29, 2009, 01:13 AM

Marco Perroni?? Adam ant's erstwhile bassist. Rendered a legend in Ant rap?

rendered a legend in gas engineering.our men have our eyes.ya get me.

22 grand job.in the hinckley its alright.
you are the pinnacle of your capabilities.even mock scum call you nondescript.
ill get me coat.bennicasims on.
"plumber"
"tradesman"
"workhouse"
"bor.i.ngxx"

you only irritate me occasionally these days.i have the moolah to act if you irritate more than that.

gasboy.tis what you dreamt of
gas
boy
gas
boy
shall i stick a "w" in to sound more subversive?
all
the
tate
galleries
wont
take
the
taste
of
rugger
and
the
kaiser
chiefs
out
of
your
fetid
teeth
orphan mi lad xx

jdbabz

February 14, 2009, 05:12 PM

Bump for the people who haven't voted yet.

celibate

February 15, 2009, 06:57 AM

it's to soon to pick favourites

said it was a poor album before are way wrong

it a great album, a must buy for every fan and people who buy alternative/
indie albums which are in all the musigmags like Q

King Leer

February 15, 2009, 12:36 PM

Bought the album on Friday (as I mentioned in my Japan thread) so I'm coming in late, but as I mentioned When Last I Spoke really does it for me. It channels Morricone and Morrissey's love for latin music beautifully. Like Morrissey's best songs, I don' think I'll ever tire of it.

Birthday was a big surprise. Am I alone in thinking it sounds like a lost Ultravox epic?

The intro of Sorry is quite good actually, but it is indeed the weakest track.
Edit: Listening to again (for the third or fourth time), it's actually not bad. The retro keyboards are like a Sparks track or something. It has its charms but is pretty one-dimensional, as is usual for Jesse. Probably the third or fourth best he's written for Moz.

That's How and All You Need fit nicely in fact, but I would've traded out That's How for My Dearest Love -- haven't heard the two new b-sides yet.

I think Black Cloud is a good song! Not sure why it's maligned. It'd make a fine third or fourth single.

Maurice E

February 20, 2009, 02:27 PM

well, here are the ratings (with songwriter added) from the front page.
with a sample size of nearly 3,000 the results are a lot more representative than our little poll.

1. Alain (birthday)
2. Alain (squeezing)
3. Alain (carol)
4. Boz (paris)
5. Alain (mama)
6. Jesse (ok)
7. Boz (goodbye)
8. Jesse (all you)
9. Boz (black)
10. Alain (good)
11. Boz (that’s how)
12. Jesse (sorry)

biru

February 21, 2009, 01:16 PM

"Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed". I love the way he says "Life is nothing much to lose, it's just so lonely here without you"... ah... so pretty.

mcrickson

February 21, 2009, 02:23 PM

I think "Sorry Doesn't Help" is one of the more memorable songs on the album. It's also refreshing to hear that Jesse's co-writes are much better than anything he's previously written.

I'd have to say "When I Last Spoke To Carol" and even "Black Cloud" are the weakest tracks. Especially "Black Cloud," which I was REALLY looking forward to.

I have the complete opposite opinion :D but to each his own. :thumb:

mcrickson

February 21, 2009, 02:23 PM

"Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed". I love the way he says "Life is nothing much to lose, it's just so lonely here without you"... ah... so pretty.

And when the trumpets come in? GLORIOUS :bow:

Half_a_Person

February 21, 2009, 02:25 PM

Something Is Squeezing My Skull and I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris are on the top!:D

shawnxvx

February 21, 2009, 03:00 PM

all the singles...
first 3 tracks, and not yr bday

those are the standouts for me.

MindlessRuffian

February 21, 2009, 05:44 PM

Birthday/Carol/Sorry Doesn't Help/I'm ok

Worm

February 21, 2009, 05:48 PM

I keep saying it but "Something Is Squeezing My Skull" is sublime. I've played it eighty times since Tuesday.

Second would be "All You Need Is Me". For some reason, placed beside the other songs on YOR, it means so much more to me. Seeing Patrick O'Dell's video again on the bonus DVD-- on my TV this time, not YouTube-- hooked me, too.

"Mama" and "Black Cloud" are also excellent.

NovemberJesus

February 21, 2009, 06:49 PM

The whole album is wonderful, I just can't stop playing it since its release, so it's hard to chose. I will just expose some personal views about a fav one
I think "One day Goodbye will be farewell" is fantastic for many reasons:

- It's full of frank, clever and wise words.. everybody regrets themselves when they lose a loved one, cos they had a chance of showing love and they just didn't made enought about it.. FEW songs in history telling that!
-I've heard it in tijuana 2007 for the very first time, It sounded so great!.. it's very dramatic on scene,( like the ROTT songs). I thougth it was a perfect song for that city, a city in wich death can surprise you in the most inexpected instant, a clever advice for all of us there.
-Morrissey's voice is deep and perfect there.
-I love the drums, and the "bandolero" style when metals appear, beautiful
-the ending is contundent, and the final advice is quite clear..

prisoner77

February 21, 2009, 06:55 PM

I find it's immediacy quite strange, usually it take at least ten listens before I've got a

sense of the whole thing. With YOR I bow to it's greatness.

prisoner77

February 21, 2009, 06:57 PM

One Day Goodbye will be farewell...

Missing Link

February 21, 2009, 07:21 PM

Of the *new* stuff we hadn't heard it's Black Cloud and Carol.

Birthday has great (incredible in places) vocal delivery but I think song is average for Morrissey.

Shame and Education are both great b-sides too IMHO.

jeniphir

February 21, 2009, 07:21 PM

You know I love the rockers, so I voted "All You Need Is Me." Have loved it since I first heard it, love it still.

Anyone else think "Black Cloud" is a 2.0 version of "Heir Apparent"??? I can't help hearing the latter while listening to the former. . .

I am very pleased with this record, overall. Jerry Finn did right everything Visconti did wrong (which was a lot). A good legacy for him. I'm (perhaps inordinately) thrilled that none of the songs is over 5 minutes, and that most of them are under 3. Wasn't it Pete Townshend who said, "a good pop song is 2 minutes, 50"???

Anyhow, back on topic--despite the fact I feel maligned by its lyrical content, "All You Need Is Me" for the win.

--jeniphir

NovemberJesus

February 21, 2009, 07:38 PM

Jerry Finn did right everything Visconti did wrong (which was a lot). A good legacy for him.

I also think it's an incredibly legacy for Jerry, he was good in his time..
I don't think Visconti did wrong things with ROTT, he actually gave an incredibly dimension to the songs, tought it's unconventional this days to work with one-shooting songs. He and Finn are both different, but they're great on their styles.