Without Music the World Dies - 7.5 (it has the potential to be on par with songs like Death at One's Elbow and Nowhere Fast if Alain's permitted to sing background vocals during the chorus in the studio version as he is in the live version, and as long as the studio version retains the live version's brisk tempo)
Bonfire of Teenagers - 7 (while some of the lyrics miss the mark and come across as crude at times - e.g. "vaporized" - I give him credit for attempting to tackle this subject. I didn't mind the fact that he directed some of his ire at those among us who insist on living their lives on their knees, although I would have preferred if he had targeted the architects of mass immigration who profit from the immigration system being the way it is now and have blood on their hands. Plus, I'd hold this song in higher regard if it wasn't coming from a pro-Zionist who has already made his biases clear and doesn't comment publicly on bonfires of teenagers when the bonfires are lit by members of his preferred groups. If he hadn't penned that stomach-turning love letter to Israel - a career lowlight - then this song might really mean something.)
Rebels Without Applause - 6.5 (I've seen it compared with Cemetry Gates and as of right now I believe it's near the same standard; I don't consider it a pale imitation)
The Night Pop Dropped - 6 (I like the movement from the verse into the chorus and the keyboard + guitar chords in the instrumental break but there's a chance the repetition of the line "remembering the night pop dropped" will begin to grate on me after a while -- the line is sung five times, about three times too many. I can take it the first two times, past that point I'd like the song to move along and returning to the line an additional three times after that is bordering on lazy in my opinion)
I Am Veronica - 6 (I appreciate this song slightly more now than when I first heard it but I can't imagine that appreciation will continue to grow from here, I think 6 is its ceiling for me)
Sure Enough, the Telephone Rings - 5.5 (this song is simply okay; when Morrissey's career is over and someone undertakes the task of ranking all the songs in his solo catalogue, this one might just about squeeze into the top 150. That's not meant as a dig; it's not a shameful addition to his catalogue there's just nothing at all remarkable about it)
I Live In Oblivion - 5 (blunt in the worst possible way with nothing redeeming musically to counteract the bluntness. It's like a true life story in Take a Break magazine, or someone telling the story of the last days of their parent to Phillip and Holly while a guest on This Morning, sampled and set to music. I'll never be able to enjoy listening to this song but I'm giving it a 5 because I can't decide to what extent I dislike it. It might remain at 5, an apathetic rating which is arguably worse than a 0 or 1 because to rate it that low you would at least have to feel somewhat strongly about it, and the only thing this song makes me feel is mild discomfort)
Saint In a Stained Glass Window - 4.5 (tedious, reminds me of the alternative version of It's Hard to Walk Tall When You're Small that was played live a few years ago)
Kerouac's Crack - 4.5 (musically it's fine but lyrically it's badly underwritten and takes me back to his 'Kid's a Looker' days)