too bad Jed was cropped out of it.

I don't want to buy into all the hype yet. Everyone knows that it takes a few good listens and some time to get a full impression of an album...and even then, opinions change. I want to believe that this is Moz's strongest effort since Vauxhall, but we were hearing encouraging reviews of this sort before Quarry was released, and while I thought it was a good album, I didn't think it was excellent.

Someone correct me if i'm wrong here, but aside from having professions in journalism (or getting lucky), aren't the people who are already interested in Morrissey sent to these 'listening parties'? With the wide range of quality between Moz's solo work, us fans have developed an ear for him. In other words, just about anything new sounds groundbreaking or special in some way from a fan's perspective.

I don't mean to doubt Morrissey's talents or potential for greater records, but i'll have to believe it when I hear it.

OUT

Looking closely at the picture of the programme it appears as though it says 'First Single and Video "You Have Killed Me"' under where it says 'Produced by Tony Visconti.'

Does anyone else see that or is it just my wishful imagination?

- Truer Poetry

Who is this guy and why was he allowed to listen to the album?

If you look at the Archives, you'll find remarkably similar - i.e. lavish with praise - "previews" of the utterly mediocre 'You Are The Quarry'. God, I was so excited about that record, and very disappointed when I heard it. Still, 'First Of The Gang' was/is one of his best ever, 'Succession' was lovely and the 'Candle' cover was excellent. Most of the rest was mediocre though.

I don't trust the hype, either. Although it might be true he's having a great record again, Morrissey having some fresh air outside of L.A.

Weather ROTT lives up to the hype or not I think one of the most promising aspects of this release is that Morrissey seems to be shaking things up a bit and taking a risk or two. This will be the first album since "Kill Uncle" where Morrissey has collaborated on a large selection of songs with a musician (Jesse Tobias) other than the Boz/Alain combo. In addition it sounds as though Morrissey was not content to simply rest on his well-honed vocal abilities but chose to challlenge himself by working at the edge of his range. These risks may or may not payoff but I appluad him for trying something different and fresh when it would have been much easier to simply lay down a standard vocal with the same old musicians. I hope he'll continue to try new things and take even greater risks in the future.

It wasn't great of me to post them. Just upset sometimes.

I think some people should be very honoured by privilege.

Ken

if that picture of moz is anything like the forthcoming cover then we are finally back on track with the covers after many many years!! looks very James Dean on Bigmouth?

we live in hope!