Well, this is true and yet it's false, as someone once said.
When Alain and Boz were interviewed by MOJO for the November 2002 issue, Boz was quoted as saying: "These tracks...[referring to the songs that became YATQ and the B-sides]they're just...superb." But I hear what you're saying. Boz might also be enthusiastic because he has songs on the album and the lead-off single.
I see credits and debits looking ahead so far. My Dearest Love was lovely and hopefully a signpost of Alain's other material, but his lack of involvement in the recording makes me leery of the overall sound. Without him and Boz, I generally dislike the sound of the remaining band. Matt Walker has yet to show signs of restraint on the traps and Solomon Walker is no Gary Day - let alone Jonny Bridgwood. I don't want to hear a whole album of Children in Pieces-style bombast.
Jerry Finn, the gods rest him, was also a mixed bag as producer by my lights, too. Tony Visconti had his faults, but I think he was closer to the right path. Is it just me or is there any good reason why he should not work with Steve Lillywhite again? Or Danton Supple, now that he's graduated to the "big time?" For that matter, if COLDPLAY is "hallowed" enough to work with Eno, couldn't Morrissey?
Going back to Alain not playing on his songs, I just had a thought for the members who wish and hope for a songwriting reunion with Marr. I don't think the corollary has been examined before: that Marr might co-write the song but not play on it. It would almost make it a non-event in my mind, as Johnny's performance was arguably the key factor in his Smiths songs. I'm not equating Alain to Johnny, as they are vastly different writers and have their own styles, but they have a certain imprint of their own in the sound of their songs. How much of that will / would potentially get lost in the translation?
Cheers,
Jamie