Morrissey is a phenomenon.
> just listen to any of his last album. it sounds exactly like the
> previous 2 and exactly like any new album he will make. his
> music no longer has any originality, no lush arrangements, no
> new or different instruments, just thump thump rockabilly. no
> wonder no one will sign him. he keeps making the same record
> over and over, and it doesn't sell. would *you* want that kind
> of liability?
That's true, but I think his current tour is showing that his fans are still very loyal, numerous, and international. Obviously, not as numerous as back in 1991, but still there are many. He might not be a top selling act anymore, but he's a reliable sale. Probably too small for a large label, but take V2 for example. Stereophonic barely sell 100,000 and they're treated like heroes. I'm sure Morrissey could easily move that much with just about every release. And if it were an exceptional album, his name carries so much weight, it could easily be an incredible amount of sales because he's so marketable. It might not be like Oasis' numbers (who sold "just" 7 million of their worst album) or Smashing Pumpkins (who sold "just" 1 million of their worst), but it would certainly have greater potential than a great album from V2's golden boys, Stereophonic. [Can you tell that I don't like them?]
**Disclaimer: I don't know exactly how many LP's Stereophonic have moved now, so if you're offended by the 100,000 number, that's around what it was when last I read, which was admittedly some time ago.**
> come on, moz, give us something new and exciting.
I think I've said this before, so excuse me for being repetitive, but I've had this conversation so many times with my former editor about Morrissey's... ahem, "stability" over the past few years and we eventually came to the conclusion that he is one of those rare phenomenons in popular music/culture, that really seem to defy what common sensibilities might dictate. Somehow, he's managed--and still manages in fact, judging from the younger generation of loyal fans--to touch people so deeply, he *almost* transcends his music which is a very curious thing. As a journalist, he's a very slippery (and fun!) subject to write about because his enduring success seems such an anomaly. I'd like to see any other band do the same thing, write the same music for 10 years and see where they'd end up.
Morrissey (the singer, the band, the phenomenon) is truly something very, very special and unique. You almost can't put your finger on it.