BookishBoy
Well-Known Member
Today's entry in the A-Z is this track, from the Viva Hate album.
What do we think?
Morrissey A-Z: "Break up the Family"
- Thread starter BookishBoy
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Today's entry in the A-Z is this track, from the Viva Hate album.
What do we think?
D
Deleted member 29417
Guest
It's a very positive song, but it makes me feel intensely sad.
It's one of those ones that if you properly listen to his voice, you'll probably get smitten for life, even if it would slip past on the radio.
It's one of those ones that if you properly listen to his voice, you'll probably get smitten for life, even if it would slip past on the radio.
Much love for this one.
Imminently quotable lyrics with no excessive repetitions; a different sound for Moz at the time. Its lovely musically, with a message both positive, and yet perhaps leaves one feeling less so (more eloquently explained by Nerak.)
In this song even his voice sounds stressed in a way that makes it appear that he hasn't been singing for five years already. (Listen at 2:24 and tell me what you hear?)
Perhaps I "am a product of this time", but its a classic for me and defines my love for the man and the music.
MrShoes
Imminently quotable lyrics with no excessive repetitions; a different sound for Moz at the time. Its lovely musically, with a message both positive, and yet perhaps leaves one feeling less so (more eloquently explained by Nerak.)
In this song even his voice sounds stressed in a way that makes it appear that he hasn't been singing for five years already. (Listen at 2:24 and tell me what you hear?)
Perhaps I "am a product of this time", but its a classic for me and defines my love for the man and the music.
MrShoes
Gregor Samsa
I straighten up, and my position is one of hope.
Nostalgic, yearning, hopeful. At 29, Morrissey sounded as if he had lived. He sounded both weary and weathered. The song is also musically adventurous. One of the best tracks on VH.
A
Anonymous
Guest
That repeated stuttering embellishment on the drums causes me anxiety.
BookishBoy
Well-Known Member
Am probably in the minority in this one but as much as I love his voice here, and the lyrics, I've never liked the music at all on this song. It sounds like a weak Level 42 b-side. Ugh.
A
Anonymoos
Guest
Yeah, I don't get all the love for this one - I find it one of the weakest on 'Viva Hate'. The music is fairly dreary, and I don't find the vocal melody that interesting either. It does have some decent lyrics, and some bright moments though (the whole "Captain of games, solid framed...' verse).
In all, it's OK, but it's a song I put into a similar bracket with 'I'm Not Sorry' - it's all a bit leaden and bland.
In all, it's OK, but it's a song I put into a similar bracket with 'I'm Not Sorry' - it's all a bit leaden and bland.
Mike Rourke
Well-Known Member
Yeah, musically it's pretty much the weakest song on the album - interesting/unusual arrangement but that's about all you can say for it. Nice singing and words, though.
J
Janice
Guest
I’ve never really took to this song, more of a take it or leave it attitude. But, on hearing it live at then back end of 2018, I got a new found liking for it after all these years.
An underrated song with great lyrics and a very strong lead vocal. The music is fairly simple, but that allows the focus to stay on Morrissey.
The first 8 tracks of Viva Hate are generally very strong and don't represent any step downwards from The Smiths. Things slip a little after that...
In the poll on the other board it ranked 114 from 264 solo songs.
The first 8 tracks of Viva Hate are generally very strong and don't represent any step downwards from The Smiths. Things slip a little after that...
In the poll on the other board it ranked 114 from 264 solo songs.
The.Truth.
Every.Single.Time.
I think it's a great song that might be overlooked because the mood is kind of relaxed or understated.
ZOOM FROM GLOOM
the thorn in your side. BOOYAH!
It’s about Marr and the break up of The Smiths.
GirlAfraidWillNeverLearn
Well-Known Member
One of the great. On an album of greats.
Intensely sad and beautifully melancholic.
Love especially the percussions.
And that voice...
Intensely sad and beautifully melancholic.
Love especially the percussions.
And that voice...
GirlAfraidWillNeverLearn
Well-Known Member
Well, it is. Glad we all agree.
D
Deleted member 29417
Guest
The words are sincerely saying breaking up the family is a good thing, his voice is sincerely saying I don't want to break up the family.
That's a really hard thing to do.
GirlAfraidWillNeverLearn
Well-Known Member
ZOOM FROM GLOOM
the thorn in your side. BOOYAH!
I also feel people will and can be moved by this song regardless of what time they are a product of, I mean if one surrenders to it and understands it. But yes, it probably came out at the right time for many.
Like Viva Hate as a whole, what a great vibe and mood on this one, too bad Jaco Pastorius wasn’t alive and asked to play on this album.
ZOOM FROM GLOOM
the thorn in your side. BOOYAH!
And I loved to be crushed.
When Viva Hate came out, I would listen to it every morning from start to finish before going to school, it’s the only thing that got me through those days.
I agree. But its clear that the period of when one came to be introduced to Moz or the Smiths, tends to delineate what one considers Moz's best work.
As for surrendering oneself; easier said then done. But I am tracking you... Like Kuato said to Quaid in the BAFTA award winner, Total Recall, "Open your Mind".
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