From Fri, February 11, 2000 Pittsburgh Post Gazette:

"Keeping up with the Smith"

The last time Morrissey reared his head in Pittsburgh, back in the early 90's he never actually made it to the stage. The crowd walking up to the I.C. Light Amphitheatre was greeted with news that the show was canceled (causing mild Panic on the streets of Pittsburgh). The stories ranged from the petulant Morrissey not liking the venue to the stage not being safe because of a sudden rain storm.

Now, the gloomy icon who fronted the late, great Smiths is coming back and the reaction has been so strong that Thursday's show had to be moved from Metropol to the Palumbo Center.

But what can fans of "The Moz" expect? According to a review last week in the Seattle Times, the 40-year-old pop star, who hasn't released new material since 1997, didn't rise to his occasion. Mark Rahner writes that a "bored-looking Morrissey...was apparently hot, tired, uncharismatic." Worst yet, "the Mope-meister was too bored to be bothered with a few of the songs that built his fan base in the first place."

The Times review drew a mixed reaction from fans on a Morrissey fan Web site (www.morrissey-solo.com):

* "The reporter is right, he looks bored!"

* "This writer is an idiot...For those of you who are seeing him for the first time and are worried, don't be. He still puts on a great show even though he throws a few b-sides. Unpredictability is good."

* "Morrissey is proving that a dead hero is a good hero."

* The Smiths are dead!...Where have you been Mr. Seattle sad excuse of a loser reviewer? Just cos he's not playing songs YOU'RE not familiar with, doesn't mean you have to act so pissy."

If you are game, tickets are $25.