Fao of all Moz/Smiths fans

[Danny]

I don't see how anyone can possible answer the question of whether ROTT would make them a fan or not. It's too subjective. If you are already a fan how could you tell?

Loads of people became fans after YATQ and many seem to be now complaining about ROTT because it's not as "catchy". I liked YATQ but I'm really surprised by how many hold it up to be far superior to ROTT. I can't help but think it's just because they heard it first and it made them a fan. But then that's just my opinion. I think we all like different Morrisseys if that makes sense.

 

[realit¥bites]

> I don't see how anyone can possible answer the question of whether ROTT
> would make them a fan or not. It's too subjective. If you are already a
> fan how could you tell?

That's true. Most of us were already well versed in Moz's music before ROTT.

> Loads of people became fans after YATQ and many seem to be now complaining
> about ROTT because it's not as "catchy". I liked YATQ but I'm
> really surprised by how many hold it up to be far superior to ROTT. I
> can't help but think it's just because they heard it first and it made
> them a fan. But then that's just my opinion. I think we all like different
> Morrisseys if that makes sense.

Yes, that makes sense.

 

[Worm]

> 1) If ROTT was the very first Morrissey album that you were to listen to,
> do you think you would become a long-time, devoted fan for life, based on
> this album alone? Or, would it require the back catalogue as well, to
> cement the deal?

The answer is no. But "Ringleader Of The Tormentors" could never, in this or any universe, be a debut album, so the premise of the question can only lead to a negative answer. Back catalogue would be essential to cement the deal.

> 2) You are trying to make a new fan out of your coworker. Would you have
> him or her lose their virginity to ROTT or would you chose another album?
> If so which one? Why?

After #1, it follows that I would have my co-worker start with "Bona Drag" or, if The Smiths were allowed, "Hatful Of Hollow". Unless I despised my co-worker, in which case I would pass along my mother's Eagles Greatest Hits tape.

> 3) Does ROTT rank in your top five Moz/Smiths albums? How about YATQ?

No. Neither. And it's not surprising, given the albums they're up against.

> 4) Are you growing more fond of ROTT or less, as the days pass?

As with "You Are The Quarry", I pretty much liked it as much as I ever will after two or three listenings. But there are other reasons for that besides the simple quality of the music. Your question implicitly touches on interesting questions of time in relation to an artist's work. Time clearly has a strong influence on how Morrissey is listened to, and probably every other artist, although I'm not quite sure how. Perhaps the back catalogue is paramount in our appreciation of his records, if only because he inspires the kind of fanatacism that instantly tries to fit each new song and album into the total work. Morrissey himself was an encyclopedic fan of pop music. It follows his more avid fans would be the same. Listening to his new work, I instantly attempt to place it in relation to his past efforts. The best compliment I can give to "Ringleader Of The Tormentors" is that it compares favorably to his past: it flows naturally in the more vital currents of his art.

 

[realit¥bites]

> After #1, it follows that I would have my co-worker start with "Bona
> Drag" or, if The Smiths were allowed, "Hatful Of Hollow".
> Unless I despised my co-worker, in which case I would pass along my
> mother's Eagles Greatest Hits tape.

On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair... hehe.

> No. Neither. And it's not surprising, given the albums they're up against.

Very true!

> As with "You Are The Quarry", I pretty much liked it as much as
> I ever will after two or three listenings. But there are other reasons for
> that besides the simple quality of the music. Your question implicitly
> touches on interesting questions of time in relation to an artist's work.
> Time clearly has a strong influence on how Morrissey is listened to, and
> probably every other artist, although I'm not quite sure how. Perhaps the
> back catalogue is paramount in our appreciation of his records, if only
> because he inspires the kind of fanatacism that instantly tries to fit
> each new song and album into the total work. Morrissey himself was an
> encyclopedic fan of pop music. It follows his more avid fans would be the
> same. Listening to his new work, I instantly attempt to place it in
> relation to his past efforts. The best compliment I can give to
> "Ringleader Of The Tormentors" is that it compares favorably to
> his past: it flows naturally in the more vital currents of his art.

Very well thought out reply. Thank you.

 

[BP]

1, Probably not, maybe a fan of a few of the songs for life, as in I could listen to them for years and years, but not the full album. But I can't say it's strong enough to get me hooked. I like about half of the album. I don't think any one of the albums would get me hooked.

2, Well, first, I'd never refer to it as loosing ones virginity, and no way would it be to ROTT, it's doesn't highlight the best in Moz's lyrical talent, aside from just a few tracks. Probably I would have to start with some Smiths songs, and then tracks from various solo albums.

3, No, most of my top 5 albums are Smiths, with "Vauxhall & I" & selected tracks from "YATQ" & "Your Arsenal" leading the way in solo albums. I'd hope someone would give "My Early Burglary Years" a spin too.

4, Neither, but I just realized that I like about 50% of the album and I've stopped attempting to get into the rest. Mind you, I can let the album play through and not hit skip. I don't hate the other 50% of it. I just don't really want to hear it a lot.

 

[The Banker]

I love the line "which isn't very nice"!

> Eek. That's my least favourite line on the album too. I get that there's
> meant to be a slight charm and modestly funny understatement to it, but I
> find it annoying. He did the same thing with How Can Anybody Possibly Kow
> How I Feel's "And I do not/And I do not/And I do not like it",
> but that's even worse than "Which isn't very nice".

 

[browser]

louder than bombs is the best album to give2a first listener!Then viva hate

 

[warby]

> 1) If ROTT was the very first Morrissey album that you were to listen to,
> do you think you would become a long-time, devoted fan for life, based on
> this album alone? Or, would it require the back catalogue as well, to
> cement the deal?

It's impossible to become a long-time devoted fan based on only one album. That goes for any group/singer. ROTT would certainly be a very good start and would make me go and check out the older stuff. In fact Life Is A Pigsty alone would do it!

> 2) You are trying to make a new fan out of your coworker. Would you have
> him or her lose their virginity to ROTT or would you chose another album?
> If so which one? Why?

I'd put together a compilation. ROTT is a difficult album to get into and needs more time than a new fan may be prepared to put in.

> 3) Does ROTT rank in your top five Moz/Smiths albums? How about YATQ?

I'm from Manchester and was about 18 when The Smiths came along. So as I'm sure you can imagine it's impossible for me to be objective. Nothing will ever beat the thrill of those Smiths albums.
My fav Moz albums are Viva Hate, Vauxhall, Quarry & ROTT

> 4) Are you growing more fond of ROTT or less, as the days pass?

More. A lot more. It's fantastic. A real grower. Like a fine wine it needs time and a lot of love.

 

[Trouble loves me]

> I have some serious questions that I am hoping you guys would be willing
> to answer. I was just wondering:

> 1) If ROTT was the very first Morrissey album that you were to listen to,
> do you think you would become a long-time, devoted fan for life, based on
> this album alone? Or, would it require the back catalogue as well, to
> cement the deal?

No, I don't think so, but in it's defence it sounds so different to anything else in the charts that I'd certainly be moved to see what else Morrissey had done and discover a world of wonder (so to speak). You definitely need the back catalogue.

> 2) You are trying to make a new fan out of your coworker. Would you have
> him or her lose their virginity to ROTT or would you chose another album?
> If so which one? Why?

My initial reaction was 'Your Arsenal' because it's my favourite of his solo albums, but not everyone is a glam rock lover, so i think it would have to be 'Viva Hate' for the variety of style and lyrical brilliance. If it were a Smiths album, again my favourite 'Strangeways...' is too much of a 'continuity' album, so it would have to be 'The Queen Is Dead' or 'Louder Than Bombs' to showcase the variety of Moz and Marr.

> 3) Does ROTT rank in your top five Moz/Smiths albums? How about YATQ?

It's tough and after the top 3 it changes constantly, but at the moment (just with studio albums):

'Strangeways...' (my all time favourite album)
'The Queen Is Dead'
'Your Arsenal'
'The Smiths'
'Meat Is Murder'
'Kill Uncle'
'Vauxhall and I'
'ROTT'
'Viva Hate'
'YATQ'
'Southpaw Grammar'
'Maladjusted'

> 4) Are you growing more fond of ROTT or less, as the days pass?

More. My suggestion to people finding it difficult is that you need to put the whole thing on repeat on your MP3 / Mini-disc / portable cd / walkman and go out in public, really listen to it and observe life, and you'll 'get it' as an album.