There is a precedent for the musically exotic influence on this song: "Our Frank". Both feature Eastern-style riffs, of course. But as attractive and frothy as Our Frank might be, the Indian violin there is used as merely colourful accompaniment for its more conventional verse/chorus approach... whereas on "... Far Off Places" the drone is thematically in tune with the lyrics and, if you compare and contrast these two album openers, this new track reveals Morrissey now revelling in a far superior artistic stratosphere. I like both tracks though, as it happens, but I think "... Far Off Places" is a very very interesting and accomplished piece of work.

Discuss!