I just saw this over at Rolling Stone.com and thought wow how surprising.

The Sound of the Smiths review by Barry Walters (5 of 5 stars) - RollingStone.com

Review also posted in the forums by fortbethel (original post), link from kewpie via Morrissey reddit.

We're working with Rhino Records U.S. to promote TSOTS release date which is only a few short weeks away.

Rhino provided us with a bunch of web banners to pass along to fans. Here are links to grab whichever one you prefer.

In a blog update on her myspace page, Kristeen Young writes:

"Sunday, November 02, 2008

'Duet'

It has been brought to my attention that there is a demo of a song I wrote (for
our forthcoming album) circulating. This demo I, personally, have not posted ANYWHERE.
Whoever is posting it, has no right to...but, that's life. The demo went by
the working title of 'Duet', but this is not the title of the finished
song. Because the working title was 'Duet', a few people have assumed
the song is a duet with Morrissey. This is not the case. The song IS a duet, but
not with Morrissey. So, rejoice, cry...let the truth ring out...but, please no more
messages of ill will. I only like to be chastised for things that are true.

-Kristeen"

Personally, I hadn't heard the rumours anyway, so I am clearly not one of the few, but if you had and you were hopeful... sorry to disappoint you.

Here is a little (tongue-in-cheek) article I wrote the other day. Think any news wires would pick it up?

America Ready To Speak To Morrissey

Oct-29-08

As the American Presidential election arrives on November 4th, America seems to be preparing to have something to say to Morrissey to help him believe. Election early voting exit polls suggest that Barack Obama, D-Senator from Illinois and of African decent, is poised to become the 44th President of the United States. If so, it will mark the first time in American history when someone other than a white male is elected to the country's highest position.

As a then resident of Los Angeles, California, the English singer Stephen Patrick Morrissey, aka Morrissey, sang of his disillusionment and reluctant love for the USA in his song "America Is Not The World" from his 2004 album "You Are The Quarry".

        "In America, the land of the free, they said, and of opportunity, in a just and a truthful way.
        But where the president, is never black, female or gay, and until that day, you've got nothing to say to me, to help me believe"

On the verge of the United States' first "black" President, it would appear that America does in fact have something to say to Morrissey - namely that it is the land of opportunity and freedom where a son of an African immigrant can rise to the executive seat of the most powerful country on the planet. If early polls are anything to go by, Morrissey will have plenty to believe come November 4th.

So since Obama became President. What does this mean about the song "America is not the world"? Is he going to change the song?

Ian Rogers picks up on the fact the lyrics to America Is Not The World are no longer true:

What Does America Have to Offer You Now, Morrissey? - FISTFULAYEN

Book Notes - Mark Barrowcliffe ("The Elfish Gene") - largehearted boy

In his own words, here is Mark Barrowcliffe's Book Notes essay for his book, The Elfish Gene: Dungeons, Dragons and Growing Up Strange:

This is the list of the my musical tastes as they developed over the period of The Elfish Gene - my autobiography of my obsessive D&D playing years in the 1970s and early 80s.

The Smiths - How Soon Is Now?

If England didn’t exist, it would be worth inventing it just so we could have Morrissey. When I said HMHB are lyrically unsurpassed, Morrissey may actually surpass them. My love for The Smiths marked the end of my D&D years. The two things don’t go together. Music has never before, or since, been better than this.

Sorry this is almost a year old....

Just Another Rainy Morning - Pete Yorn blog

Spent the morning walking around in the rain dressed in black listening to morrissey. it was nice. it was muddy. morrissey is still my hero....since 7th grade. he still delivers to me. ive been reading an interesting book on him and it dissects every song recorded by him (solo and smiths). there is commentary by himself, marr...producers, players...speaks of what was going on socially at the time of the recordings. called Morrissey by Jonny Rogan. my mom gave it to me.

OK, I am going to the printers next week (9th November) with the calendar detailed below.
I shall only be printing the amount of calendars ordered, so after 9th November, if you haven't ordered a copy you wont be able to buy one!
Any orders taken this week, the proceeds from sales will go straight to Morrissey-Solo to contribute to the running of the site.
Thanks
Phill

I have produced a 2009 calendar using pictures taken from my book 'Panic On The Streets'.

The size is large, A3 (297mm × 420mm) and with a ring binded holder, is ideal for hanging on a wall.

Click to enlarge

The dates section may look different on the actual copy, but this gives you an idea of what it will look like.

There are six Manchester pictures, five London and Newport Pagnell!
The pictures / months are as follows:

January - Strangeways Prison
February - Morrissey Mosaic
March - Piccadilly Circus
April - Holy Name Church
May - 32 Chester Square ( The 'Suedehead' house)
June - The Iron Bridge
July - Euston Station
August - Sloane Square
September - Southern Cemetery
October - Reardon Street (leaning post in Wapping)
November - Newport Pagnell Service Station
December - The Salford Lads Club

The cost per calendar is £8 + P&P (as follows)
UK - £3
Europe - £5
Worldwide - £7.40

Apologies about the high postage overseas, the calendar is large and will be sent in a jiffy bag.

Payment via:
Paypal - telegramsam1963@aol.com
or cheque - UK only (payable to P Gatenby)
Send to:

Empire Publications
(2009 Calendar)
1 Newton Street
Manchester
M1 1HW

All calendars will be printed and sent out by mid November, well in time for Christmas.

Phill Gatenby