Re: Alain Whyte reminisces about Southpaw Grammar, released 20 years ago today
such a mediocre and forgettable album to be honest
such a mediocre and forgettable album to be honest
Or of he'd waited just a little bit longer and had those 'Boxers' sessions to add to the album. There were some classic tracks on that EP.
Nah - there's loads. 'Oh Well I'll Never Learn', 'There Speaks a True Friend', 'I Am Two People' etc etc.
Boxers came out before Southpaw, which, in my mind, was why the latter felt so disappointing and jarring. It seemed with Boxers that the Vauxhall sound would continue, but it was not to be.
Funnily enough Teachers & Southpaw are my 2 favourite tracks! He is bang on about 'Nobody Loves Us' and 'You Must Please Remember.' I still think the album would've worked as an 8 track affair if he'd simply swapped out 'Best Friend' and 'Do Your Best' for the 2 aforementioned songs. Or of he'd waited just a little bit longer and had those 'Boxers' sessions to add to the album. There were some classic tracks on that EP.
It's a very so-so follow up to a truly great album. Still, it sounds better musically than anything from YOR, and much of WP.
Nobody Loves Us is one of my top ten favorite Morrissey songs. I miss Alain in the band and his song writing. He is a true talent and seems like the kind of guy that would be fun to be around.
Better be careful...those are fightin' words around these parts. I completely agree with this. This flamenco turn is distressing. I don't think he has to go back to the past, but how about a late career rocker like Neil Young did with "Rockin' in the Free World". That song kicks *ss! Bring back the song writers!
has he written any songs since there split or anything of note without moz. i mean hes fine but hes not bernard butler or anything
Well now, not even Bernard Butler did much of worth since Suede. He did a handful of good songs with McAlmont and a couple of The Tears songs were good, but nothing compared to Brett Anderson. He should never have left or allowed himself to be booted out of Suede. Moz has had a fantastic career since The Smiths, even if it all ended tomorrow.
has he written any songs since there split or anything of note without moz. i mean hes fine but hes not bernard butler or anything
Sometimes a writer needs a muse and maybe Morrissey was his. I can't think of a better job than writing a catchy tune that would hold and carry Morrissey's beautiful voice, phrasing and (what used to be) poignant lyrics. Maybe he hasn't been inspired to write such music and it can be said that the music is only half the equation. Without the vocals many tunes go unnoticed.
I'm not fond of orange either, but Moz seems to love it (Southpaw, WPINOYB, List of the Lost cover).
Meanwhile, what does it say on that round sticker? "Includes limited edition booklet"?
Use of an orange/brown colour scheme gives an instant 70s/retro feel, I guess that's the vibe they were going for here... didn't they even revive the RCA Victor logo just for this album?
that would be years of refusal. like it or not its a very very pop rock album. i mean why isnt boz more celebrated here though. he did now my heart is full and speedway which gets mentioned all the time here but i never see bozs name mentioned like ever. he did teachers which is a song talked about in this thread yet hes still not mentioned as being its author. thats weird
Now My Heart is Full is also another great song. Interesting thought...Alain and Boz together. Others know a lot better than me. Were they in the Moz camp at the same time? Did they collaborate? Actually, Boz is the guy who most here agree has been a solid songwriter for Moz. How he has managed to stay in the inner circle is truly amazing given Morrissey's temperament. If I could ask one question to anyone about anything Morrissey, it would be how did Boz navigate the maelstrom that is Morrissey all of these years?