By Chris Nixon
Union-Tribune
May 31, 2007
In the hierarchy of British musical royalty, Morrissey has earned the titles of the first prince of emo darkness and the original king of pain. Long before Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst delved into his dark side or Dashboard Confessional's Chris Carrabba wore his heart on his sleeve, Morrissey took music fans on a lyrical tour of his anxieties and emotional dysfunction through the colorful characters he painted in his songs.
As a member of the seminal Brit-rock band The Smiths, Morrissey took the UK by storm while gaining a foothold on college radio in the United States. Backed by Johnny Marr (key in shaping the 1990s alternative guitar riffs), Morrissey unleashed a potent mix: literate poetic lyrics delivered with the heart of an Irish balladeer and an emotional crooning vocal style. Marr balanced Morrissey's emotional delivery with crisp, clean guitar lines. Along with bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce, the quartet provided a template for alternative and indie rock.
During a short career of only five years, The Smiths released four studio albums (1984's “The Smiths,” 1985's “Meat Is Murder,” 1986's “The Queen Is Dead” and “Strangeways, Here We Come” in 1987) before calling it quits in 1987. Marr and Morrissey cited the overused “musical differences.” On the subject of The Smiths' breakup, Morrissey told CNN: “It was a fantastic journey. And then it ended. I didn't feel we should have ended. I wanted to continue. (Marr) wanted to end it. And that was that.”
DATEBOOK
Morrissey, with Kristeen Young
7 p.m. Sunday;
Embarcadero Marina Park South, Marina Park Way, downtown;
$45; (619) 220-TIXS
When the Pixies broke up, some folks were surprised by the critical and popular success of Kim Deal (in The Breeders) while Frank Black's solo career seemed to tread water in semi-obscurity. Like The Pixies, many pundits weren't certain of Morrissey's ability to write catchy tunes without the guitar lines of Marr after The Smiths split ways. But Morrissey's best songs as a solo artist rival The Smiths' finest work.
“I now feel more inclined to stand up and look the world in the face (since The Smiths' split),” Morrissey said during a Q&A on the fanzine truetoyou.net. “I find it shocking to look back at the period of The Smiths and to reflect upon the magnitude of doom that surrounded me every single day. When Johnny ended The Smiths, I was forced to go solo, and I found myself going further with all my experiences of life, and, although Johnny didn't intend it to, it helped me.”
Since 1987, Morrissey has released eight solo studio discs, including the solid 2006 release “Ringleader of the Tormentors.” Each album holds a few gems. But aside from 1994's “Vauxhall and I,” the artist has had trouble creating consistently great albums from front to back. The vocalist has never really solved America from a radio or pop chart perspective in his solo career. But his fans are truly fanatical, and his records continue to be well-received by critics.
The legend of The Smiths only grows with the passing of time. According to Morrissey, The Smiths were offered $5 million to reunite for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. With Marr backing Isaac Brock on the new high-profile Modest Mouse album and Morrissey selling out venues on his tour in support of “Tormentors,” the former Smiths frontman is forced to quash reunion rumors on a regular basis.
Morrissey told gigwise.com in 2006: “I feel as if I've worked very hard since the demise of The Smiths and the others haven't, so why hand them attention that they haven't earned? We are not friends, we don't see each other. Why on Earth would we be on a stage together?”
In the year of the reunion (The Police, Genesis, Rage Against the Machine, Crowded House, Jesus and Mary Chain), it's refreshing to witness a band not let bygones by bygones in favor of lucrative tours. Besides, both Marr and Morrissey are doing just fine on their own, thank you.
Chris Nixon is a San Diego music writer.
MORRISSEY BY THE NUMBERS
Born: Steven Patrick Morrissey on May 22, 1959
Hometown: Manchester, England
Parents: Peter Morrissey (hospital porter) and Elizabeth Dwyer (librarian)
Influences: Oscar Wilde, James Dean, The New York Dolls, Marianne Faithful
CAREER WITH THE SMITHS
Studio albums: “The Smiths” (1984); “Meat Is Murder” (1985); “The Queen Is Dead” (1986); “Strangeways, Here We Come” (1987)
Compilations and live albums: Hatful of Hollow (1984); The World Won't Listen (1987); “Louder Than Bombs” (1987); “Rank” (1988)
A SELECTED SOLO DISCOGRAPHY
“VIVA HATE” (1988, Sire)
On the charts: #1 UK, #48 U.S.
The gist: A not-so-subtle reference to The Smiths' breakup, Morrissey wasted no time to release his first solo disc, an epic 20-song album helped by the guitar and compositions of Vini Reilly (The Durutti Column).
The singles: “Suedehead” and “Everyday Is Like Sunday.”
Favorites: “The Ordinary Boys” is beautiful in its simplicity, and the snappy “Suedehead” asks the question: “Johnny who?”
“YOUR ARSENAL” (1992, Sire)
On the charts: #4 UK, #21 U.S.
The gist: From the opening notes of “You're Gonna Need Someone on Your Side,” thick layers of distorted slide guitar riffage declare “Your Arsenal” as Morrissey's rock album.
The singles: “We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful,” “You're the One for Me, Fatty,” “Certain People I Know” “Glamorous Glue” and “Tomorrow.”
Favorites: “Seasick, Yet Still Docked” welcomes the listener in with its floaty atmospherics, and the down-home honky-tonk of “Certain People I Know” shows another side of Morrissey.
“VAUXHALL AND I” (1994, Sire)
On the charts: #1 UK, #18 U.S.
The gist: A return to the quieter Morrissey, the album's 11 tracks reflect the singer's mood after losing friends Mick Ronson, Tim Broad and Nigel Thomas. “Vauxhall and I” may be Morrissey's most cohesive and complete solo album.
The singles: “The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get,” “Now My Heart Is Full” and “Hold on to Your Friends.”
Favorites: Play the album front to back on a Sunday afternoon or save it for a rainy day.
“YOU ARE THE QUARRY” (2004, Sanctuary)
On the charts: #2 UK, #11 U.S.
The gist: After a seven-year hiatus from recording, Morrissey celebrates signing with a new label by releasing his most radio-friendly album to date.
The singles: “Irish Blood, English Heart,” “First of the Gang to Die,” “Let Me Kiss You” and “I Have Forgiven Jesus.”
Favorites: The master lyricist stretches his legs on “The World Is Full of Crashing Bores” and gets misty as only Morrissey can on “Let Me Kiss You.”
“RINGLEADER OF THE TORMENTORS” (2006, Sanctuary)
On the charts: #1 UK, #27 U.S.
The gist: Producer Tony Visconti (T. Rex and David Bowie) and new guitarist Jesse Tobias (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alanis Morissette) surround Morrissey with lush compositions on his latest disc. Legendary composer Ennio Morricone adds strings on “Dear God Please Help Me.”
The singles: “You Have Killed Me,” “The Youngest Was the Most Loved,” “In the Future When All's Well” and “I Just Want to See the Boy Happy.”
Favorites: The lusciously orchestrated “I Will See You in Far Off Places” and the compact rocker “I Just Want to See the Boy Happy” (complete with trombone solo) highlight Morrissey's new album.
– CHRIS NIXON
