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Who Put the "M" review - Hour.ca (3.5 / 5 stars)

posted by davidt on Thursday May 26 2005, @10:00AM
Frances sends the link:

Hour
May 26th, 2005
Morrissey - (Sanctuary)

Who Put the "M" in Manchester? [DVD]
Jamie O'Meara

Well, we've never been led to doubt Morrissey's insecurities nor his pretensions, and both are well represented here in equal measure, having been served well by another swollen segment of his psyche, his ambitions. The result is a high-camp, high-quality reproduction of a birthday concert (his, of course) performed in his hometown of Manchester last year, set against 20-foot-high, glowing red letters spelling out his name across the breadth of the stage at the cavernous Earls Court. I confess I'm not much of a fan of Morrissey's solo work, the schmaltzy and often wincing imagery of his new writing floating the showboating Sinatra styling (which the former Smiths frontman takes great pains to impress upon us, both opening and closing the show with Old Blue Eyes) and occasional rapturous Elvis posing. Old fans can be grateful for the small, if anemic-sounding, handful of Smiths covers, but on the whole it's the more recent devotees - seen hurling themselves at Morrissey throughout the show - who are guaranteed to get the most out of this. Extras include videos, festival footage and, unsurprisingly, some gory PETA propaganda.
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Who Put the "M" review - Hour.ca (3.5 / 5 stars) | Top | 16 comments | Search Discussion
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  • Auf Wiedersehen Pet? Must be a fan.
    Anonymous -- Thursday May 26 2005, @10:05AM (#163304)
  • Never have I seen someone slag something off so much and give it 7/10. Typically though, he wants to slag off Morrissey, but has to admit its good. DOH! Just like New Order tried.
    Rico -- Thursday May 26 2005, @10:06AM (#163305)
    (User #3487 Info | http://profiles.myspace.com/users/5347553)
    Karma equals minus infinity, but I stand up for the truth
    • Unrequited by Anonymous (Score:0) Thursday May 26 2005, @12:53PM

  • *Sigh* (Score:2, Insightful)

    Whatever happened to the concept of a review been based on the merits of the item in question and untainted by personal disaffection (or affection)?

    And are we to be so impressed by the reviewer's ability to be honest enough about his disliking that we forgive such slanted rhetoric?

    And, after all this, why give it such a decent star rating?
    KenBarlow -- Thursday May 26 2005, @10:21AM (#163308)
    (User #13803 Info)
    There is no such thing in life as Norman

  • Earl's Court? (Score:3, Insightful)

    Since when was Earl's Court in Manchester? I think I must have been at a different show, as I vaguely remember being in the M.E.N. Arena....
    elvisfontenot -- Thursday May 26 2005, @11:41AM (#163317)
    (User #11350 Info)
  • What a strange criticism to level against Morrissey. I don't think Quarry is great, but I wouldn't call it schmaltzy. And there's certainly nothing schmaltzy about truly brilliant solo songs like 'Jack The Ripper' and 'Nobody Loves Us'. Moreover, the best song on 'Maladjusted', 'Trouble Loves Me', is very much in the vein of an old showtune - and gorgeous it is too.

    I think the reviewer was trying to say - well, it's 3 and a half out of five for fans, even though he himself doesn't like the music. Must agree with him that the Smiths covers are anaemic, 'Shoplifters' excepted. 'Imperfect List' and 'Jack The Ripper', however, send shivers down the spine.
    Anonymous -- Thursday May 26 2005, @01:29PM (#163332)
  • Dare I say it, but this review is spot on!
    Listed Crime -- Thursday May 26 2005, @01:33PM (#163334)
    (User #13801 Info)
  • I cannot think why Jamie O'Meara wrote this idiotic article on Morrissey, when they are not even a Morrissey supporter. Of course, biased journalists can fling around words like "campy" and the like, feeling justified in some way. I have the DVD and I thought it was wonderful. What difference does it make ( had to throw that in ) how tall the glowing red letters of Morrissey's name are, or that he actually, (oh no!) dared to sing a Sinatra song. Everyone there looked as if they were having an excellent time and that is what really matters- not the opinion of some has been reporter who doesn't even like Mozzer in the first place! Tsk Tsk! Let Morrissey do what he wants- he will anyway! :) Goodbye Jamie O'Meara fading into the land of Julie Burchill's...Your time is up.
    Kali1962 -- Friday May 27 2005, @12:10AM (#163384)
    (User #13865 Info)
  • I hate these guys that think because they have been a Fan for a long time, that some how makes them more eligible.....

    New fans are just as important and more open minded, Morrissey as a solo artist is so convincing and neccessary that it makes me humble to be in the crowd...

    And by the way I saw the Smiths 6 Times....
    muckyuk -- Friday May 27 2005, @03:14AM (#163394)
    (User #14201 Info)
    • Re:The Fooool by Anonymous (Score:0) Friday May 27 2005, @03:24AM
  • "gory PETA propaganda"

    Very true. I could have done without that segment.

    I am interested in his music, and nothing more. Oh, except his homosexuality, of course.
    Eric Hartman -- Friday May 27 2005, @07:05AM (#163401)
    (User #5103 Info | http://www.patcondell.net/)
    It is a very mixed blessing to be brought back from the dead.
    • Re:Peta by artful dodger (Score:1) Friday May 27 2005, @09:50AM
    • Re:Peta by Wilde is on my side (Score:1) Friday May 27 2005, @10:20AM
      • Re:Peta by goinghome (Score:1) Friday May 27 2005, @02:28PM

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