Maladjusted

The album kicks off with a screech of distorted guitar and Morrissey crooning...
I want to start from before the beginning"...inviting listeners to "kill the lights in the windows of your safe and stable homes".

The song works as a great showcase for Morrisseys lyrical prowess. The drumming and guitar work seem to stay at an even keel throughout the song, instead allowing Moz to take control of the song from the start.

Much of the song seems to be told from the perspective of a 15 year old "working girl, like me" and the trials she faces..
"With my hands on my head
I flop on your bed
With my head full of dread
For all the things I've said"

Best Lyrics:
"Oh Christ another stifled Friday night
When the coast between all the things I need
and the things I receive
Is an ancient ocean wide"


Alma Matters

Light, catchy guitar work makes this song flow nicely. Could easily be a single. for some reason, it makes me think a little bit of Moz fronting 10,000 Maniacs. An excellent tune.

Chorus: "To someone, somewhere, Oh yeah..
Alma matters
In mind, body and soul
In part, and in whole"

Best lyric: " So the life I have made
May seem wrong to you
But, I've never been surer
It's my life
To ruin
My own way"


Ambitious Outsiders

Once again, as with "Rusholme Ruffians", Moz is back to the fairs of his childhood as a source of danger and violence. This song marches through a creepy cadence of strings and carnival sounds from the point of view of a potential kidnapper. An excellent narrative that may leave you feeling a bit like you did after you first heard "Suffer Little Children" or "Jack the Ripper". Compelling and a bit eerie.

"Bolt lock your doors
Alarm your cars
And still we move in closer, every day
Top of the list
Your smiling kiss
But we'll be smiling too, so that's okay
Oh and by the way thank you
Because you're
Giving, giving, giving
And we're receiving...no no WE'RE TAKING
Keeping the population down..."


Trouble Loves Me

Morrissey at his crooning, lamenting best..slow and sad.

"Trouble loves me
Trouble leads me
To things more than YOU do
Or will attempt to

So console me
Otherwise hold me
Just when it seems like everythings evened out
And when violence seems serene..

Trouble loves me
Walks beside me
To chide me
Not to guide me
Its still much more then you'll do"


Papa Jack

Morrissey tells yet another story ( perhaps personal?) of an old father trying to rekindle a lost relationship with his children late in life, but now it all seems too late. A Mozzified version of "Cat's in the Cradle"? This song has a nice build. Starting slow, it rises to waves of heavy drumming and snaky guitar riffing ...along with an angelic-toned Moz "ooohing" in the background...

" Papa Jack wants to turn back the clock
And reach out to the kids he once had
Who have flown
Papa Jack, in decline
Feels inclined
To reach out to the kids he once had
Who have flown"

"But there was a time
When the kids reached out...
And Papa Jack just pushed them away"


Ammunition
Strong song..perhaps a single? Nice flowing melody and guitar work make this one whisk casually by....

" I don't need more ammunition
I've got more than I can spend...
I don't dwell on things I'm missing.
I'm just pleased with the things I've found"


Wide to Receive

A personal favorite...Slow and dreamy, and punctuated with weepy horns.

" Download something useful, or useless
because I'm lying here wide to receive
Almost anything you care to give
And I don't get along with myself
And I'm not too keen on anyone else

Turn on, plug in
Then just walk away
Unlock, process
And then just go
I've never felt quite so alone
As I do right now"


Roy's Keen

A hysterical romp in the lyrical tradition of "Vicar in a Tutu". Extolling the praises of Roy, perhaps the world's most charming window cleaner, this song bounces along with catchy wit and uptempo beat. The song begins with a bandmate urging.."GO ON!" and ends in a delightful refrain of la la la's..darn excellent!

"Roy's keen oh Roy's keen
Roy's keen oh Roy's keen..
We've never seen a keener, window cleaner
Back up the ladder
Into each corner
Dunking the chamois,
Just think of the goodwill!
The ladders a planet
Roy is a star..
And I am a satellite
But that's alright.."

I also have to note..the best thing about this song is how Morrissey pronounces "cleaner" as a stretched out "cleanah"


He Cried

A good solid album track that rolls along at mid-tempo and builds nicely for the chorus. Perhaps a bit autobiographical? Hmmmmm

"Light our minds if you must
But there's always a line you don't cross
Time is short, don't be cruel
Oh do you know the power in what you are saying?
And so he frowns
Where he stood
And looked to the ground..
He cried
He cry-y-yed"


Sorrow Will Come in The End

Whoa. Very different for ol' Mozzer, as he decides to speak this entire song, as opposed to singing it. Very dark with heavy strings and perhaps the most bitter lyrics he has released to date. Obviously very influenced by his courtroom difficulties as of late.

Legalized theft
leaves me bereft
I get it straight in the neck
Somehow expecting no less
A court of justice
With no use for truth
Lawyer, Liar
You've pleaded and squealed
and you think you've won
But sorrow will come
To you in the end
And as sure as my thoughts are pure..
I praise the day that brings you pain"

The song ends with Moz coldly saying...
"I'm going to get you.
So don't close your eyes
DON'T EVER CLOSE YOUR EYES"


Satan Rejected My Soul

The most obvious and radio friendly single on the album. An excellent song which showcases Morrissey ability for fresh and unusual lyrics. Quite catchy and very tongue in cheek. I am sure it will meet a bit of then same silly controversy "Oujia Board" did with its playfulness of religious imagery. A good song to end on that will stay in your head for days..

"Satan rejected my soul
He knows my kind, he won't be dragged down
He's seen my face around
He knows heaven doesn't seem to be my home
So I must find somewhere else to go
So I must find somewhere else to go
Take it please..
Its free
You'll never see
All the fun in life it's cost me!"


Well everyone...that does it for an early peek at the record. I certainly hope you enjoyed it. I look forward to hearing from everyone once the record streets and you can actually hear these songs. Until then ..lets keep each other posted on any news. Have a lovely day..

Easy meat, and a reasonably good buy,
Hesse

return to Morrissey-solo