It's been an odd year for Morrissey, really. If I'm honest, quite a bit worse than I was expecting/hoping.
What have we got to look forward to in 2012? An acceptance that a new album probably won't get off the drawing board. A horrible legal battle with the world's bitchiest music publication.
The biggest plus of 2011 was the setlist (and the tour, generally). It was wonderful to hear all those pre-Quarry 'solo' gems - a period that he's criminally overlooked in the last 7 years- and hearing I Know It's Over live is one of my favourite memories from any concert ever.
The new songs are kind of ok. Action should get decent airplay on Radio 2 (if not anywhere else), and Art Hounds has one of his strongest melodies and singing performances for years. But an album largely full of 'People are the same' type-plod is surely an unapppealing prospect.
Let's hope he patches things up with Alain Whyte, or there is some truth in the Stephen Street rumour that I so desperately wanted to believe. Also, if the Stone Roses reunion is the massive success it promises to be, hopefully that'll get Marr and Morrissey considering their options, especially when the alternative is DIY solo projects with dismal sales and critical indifference.
What have we got to look forward to in 2012? An acceptance that a new album probably won't get off the drawing board. A horrible legal battle with the world's bitchiest music publication.
The biggest plus of 2011 was the setlist (and the tour, generally). It was wonderful to hear all those pre-Quarry 'solo' gems - a period that he's criminally overlooked in the last 7 years- and hearing I Know It's Over live is one of my favourite memories from any concert ever.
The new songs are kind of ok. Action should get decent airplay on Radio 2 (if not anywhere else), and Art Hounds has one of his strongest melodies and singing performances for years. But an album largely full of 'People are the same' type-plod is surely an unapppealing prospect.
Let's hope he patches things up with Alain Whyte, or there is some truth in the Stephen Street rumour that I so desperately wanted to believe. Also, if the Stone Roses reunion is the massive success it promises to be, hopefully that'll get Marr and Morrissey considering their options, especially when the alternative is DIY solo projects with dismal sales and critical indifference.