"Viva Hate" reviewed in Pitchfork (7.3 / 10)

Re: Viva Hate reviewed in Pitchfork

Thanks for posting this

This strange mix of pomp and minimal languor makes Viva Hate the only Morrissey LP you'd consider listening to just for its music.

Not exactly-- I'd play "Your Arsenal" as an instrumental album and love it-- but the reviewer does hit on an uncomfortable truth about Morrissey's solo career.
 
Re: Viva Hate reviewed in Pitchfork

but the reviewer does hit on an uncomfortable truth about Morrissey's solo career.

A truth that applies to virtually all pop music. Of course, you're pushing one of your central talking points.
 
Re: Viva Hate reviewed in Pitchfork

A truth that applies to virtually all pop music.

Not really.

And regardless of what one thinks about "virtually all pop music", Anonymous, the fact remains that Morrissey made a deliberate choice to emphasize his vocals over the backing music. It's a departure from The Smiths and therefore interesting-- not at all a bad choice, necessarily, just an interesting one. I call it an "uncomfortable truth" because nobody has ever been certain that absolute creative control, as opposed to the previously balanced and equal partnership, has served Morrissey well in his solo career. At this stage there's just as much speculation about missed opportunities as there are celebrations of his many triumphs. Plenty of threads here will attest to this pervasive feeling among fans, though the finer details may differ.
 
Re: Viva Hate reviewed in Pitchfork

Not really.

Yes, really. Guitar music without vocals and vocal melodies--a niche outside of pop music, actually, known only to obscurists. Moqwai, Slint, etc provide Muzak for a certain type of poseur. But there's no significant demand for it. There would be if you were correct.

Girlfriend in a Coma, minus the vocals? It's simply Muzak.

And regardless of what one thinks about "virtually all pop music", Anonymous,

Uh-oh, I feel some condescension coming my way!

the fact remains that Morrissey made a deliberate choice to emphasize his vocals over the backing music.

Citation, please? You prefer Marr's compositions over Boorer and company's. Established. How does that amount to Morrissey having made this "deliberate choice" you're talking about? You're imagining things, I think.

It's a departure from The Smiths and therefore interesting--not at all a bad choice, necessarily, just an interesting one. I call it an "uncomfortable truth" because nobody has ever been certain that absolute creative control, as opposed to the previously balanced and equal partnership, has served Morrissey well in his solo career. At this stage there's just as much speculation about missed opportunities as there are celebrations of his many triumphs. Plenty of threads here will attest to this pervasive feeling among fans, though the finer details may differ.

Yes, many people prefer Morrissey with Marr. A banal point, made no less banal by saying it in ten times as many words.
 
Re: Viva Hate reviewed in Pitchfork

Yes, really. Guitar music without vocals and vocal melodies--a niche outside of pop music, actually, known only to obscurists. Moqwai, Slint, etc provide Muzak for a certain type of poseur. But there's no significant demand for it. There would be if you were correct.

That's not what you said.

Girlfriend in a Coma, minus the vocals? It's simply Muzak.

Hardly.

Uh-oh, I feel some condescension coming my way!

Yes, and much-deserved.
 
Re: Viva Hate reviewed in Pitchfork

That's not what you said.

As a matter of fact, it was.


Many people can play sparkling acoustic guitar. You're an anglophile and an 80's nostalgist who's blown away when it's done on a Smiths album.

Yes, and much-deserved.

Spaketh the windbag, from within the halls of his vanity press.
 
Good and sane review:

Viva Hate - Pitchfork
By Tom Ewing; March 28, 2012



UPDATE Mar. 28, 2:00PM PT:

Another review, link posted by sweetness522:

Viva Hate review by Martin Aston, BBC
 
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T Ewing is one of the most astute writers on Moz and his place in pop culture. Hard to disagree with much here.
 
Re: Viva Hate reviewed in Pitchfork

"...The perfect subject for a deluxe reissue package, you'd say, and that's just what EMI announced last year, a remastered Viva Hate filled with bonus material and the Wolverhampton gig in full."

It's good, but it could have been so much better.
 
Re: Viva Hate reviewed in Pitchfork

"Message received loud and clear." Hard to disagree with anything here. Except our own take on Begali In Platforms. Please, if you dare, if you care, read on. "He only wants to brace your culture and be your friend forever." Life's tuff enough when you belong here. Ain't that the truth!
But with some kindness to people on an individual basis, we may possibly see past the agendas tossed out there designed to purposefully separate and decide us. Bengali wants what we do. Home, health, family, love?
Were all stuck on this Earth together. Best make a sincere effort to get along while we have the chance to do so. Though titled Viva Hate, this fine record sends this message of LOVE and a desire to change things into a more peaceful world.
Margaret on the chopping block, Bengali, Sunday, all a clear, if some what sarcastic message to cease fighting and get along.
 
"Knowledge IS Power"!
Dear David T:
Mr. Bob Fletcher, ex-MCA exec. is on infowars. com today. Mr. Fletcher introduced Elton John to America. Yes, I know.. Please read on. Mr. Fletcher will explain a few interesting experiences with the late Sonny Bono and how Sonny was done in. How the music and record business is so inter- connected with some really heavy hitters.
Once a performer speaks out, watch out! Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Sonny Bono all were not as portrayed. The warning is given to keep quiet. If not heeded, the stars reputation is viciously attacked so the masses no longer care for them. Then it's over.
Apparently, investigations. com is Mr. Bob Fletchers website to learn more. Point being, so much is removed from the artists and entertainers control. Either they comply with big- biz or out you go.
 
Very well written, but what's the point in reviewing "remasters" when you're not even going to discuss the sound quality of it? I'm not harping only on this reviewer, but the majority of reviewers never discuss the sound of a remaster. They sometimes mention it sounds "crisper" and "clearer" but it's likely they just lazily throw those words around and call it a day. But even with all the bad remastering jobs out there, they'd still probably praise them just so the record companies can earn the quick buck.
 
Re: Viva Hate reviewed in Pitchfork


Thanks.

I think what comes across in both reviews is that critics think highly of "Viva Hate" in its original form and were prepared to gush over a remastered special edition. One more reason to bemoan the shortcomings of the reissue: had he just allowed Street to polish the original and add a second disc containing rarities plus the Wolverhampton gig, Morrissey would now be enjoying renewed interest in the press, just when a reminder of his greatness might have helped land a contract.
 
Re: Viva Hate reviewed in Pitchfork

Thanks.

I think what comes across in both reviews is that critics think highly of "Viva Hate" in its original form and were prepared to gush over a remastered special edition. One more reason to bemoan the shortcomings of the reissue: had he just allowed Street to polish the original and add a second disc containing rarities plus the Wolverhampton gig, Morrissey would now be enjoying renewed interest in the press, just when a reminder of his greatness might have helped land a contract.

Good points. I feel the same way.


I also feel very fortunate to have the American version that includes the wonderful Hairdresser On Fire. It was several years after I got the album that I realized not every version of Viva Hate had Hairdresser On Fire. Makes the album that much more "classic" in my eyes. I wonder why he didn't add it to the reissue.

I also think Morrissey could have picked a handful of songs that would have been more worthy of leaving off the reissue than The Ordinary Boys. I happen to like that song and would consider it in the top half of the album.
 
Re: Viva Hate reviewed in Pitchfork

"Message received loud and clear." Hard to disagree with anything here. Except our own take on Begali In Platforms. Please, if you dare, if you care, read on. "He only wants to brace your culture and be your friend forever." Life's tuff enough when you belong here. Ain't that the truth!
But with some kindness to people on an individual basis, we may possibly see past the agendas tossed out there designed to purposefully separate and decide us. Bengali wants what we do. Home, health, family, love?
Were all stuck on this Earth together. Best make a sincere effort to get along while we have the chance to do so. Though titled Viva Hate, this fine record sends this message of LOVE and a desire to change things into a more peaceful world.
Margaret on the chopping block, Bengali, Sunday, all a clear, if some what sarcastic message to cease fighting and get along.

When quoting lyrics you should probably get them correct.
 
When you miss a beautifully timed opportunity to include some gems from the past and instead remove one of the most beautiful songs Moz ever penned and replace it with a dodgy demo of a not so good track you've lost the plot. I'll stick with my original "Viva Hate" intact without the awful typeface. Can't wait to illegally download the remasters though :)
 
the Wolverhampton gig shall never be released in full or half as
Joyce was playiug drumms,

there's some good audio, but not the whole show

About the the remaster Viva Hate 'nuff written, it's up to everyone
to buy it or not, the original is still around to buy
 
What an odd review -"After 20 years of stalled comebacks and scorned collaborators it seems odd to think of Morrissey as a mainstream contender"? "The future promised on and by Viva Hate failed to happen"? I guess the nineties never happened, and Moz didn't stage a glorious comeback in the early aughts. Nor did he have long, successful relationships with Alain, Boz or Jesse.

I usually like Ewing, but he's trying too hard to revise history to fit his notions.
 
Absolutely spot on review re Viva Hate - except for the silly comment about Bengali in Platforms, surely one of Moz's best songs. This whole re-release has been botched. Viva Hate is a f***ing classic - I remember my joy as an adolescent when it went to no. 1 in the charts. To tamper with such a thing of pefection is unforgiveable. The awful Germanic font looks shit, and then to drop Ordinary Boys for a demo? No fan is going to buy this butchery.
 

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