"I Am Not A Dog On A Chain" released (March 20, 2020)

I Am Not A Dog On A Chain - tagged articles
I Am Not A Dog On A Chain - tagged reviews
Please note: for fans of reviews, the above tag will update as new reviews come in and is a good way to check any you may have missed.

Morrissey's 13th solo studio album being recorded was first mentioned in SER's interview with Morrissey June 24, 2019 and then formally announced November 28, 2019.
It was recorded at Studio La Fabrique in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France and additional work (like Thelma's vocals) was done at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, California. It was produced by Joe Chicarelli who stated about his 4th Morrissey album:

“This is his boldest and most adventurous album yet. He has pushed the boundaries yet again - both musically and lyrically.
And once again proving that as a songwriter and singer, he is in his own category.
In truth, no one can be Morrissey but… Morrissey!”


The official Morrissey mailing list email from March 20 cites the following reviews in its promotion:

"PRAISE FOR ‘I AM NOT A DOG ON A CHAIN’

“Morrissey delivers his best music in years” - AP*
"His best album in years." - NME
"As great as anything he has ever written." - THE TELEGRAPH
“A mature work, the album stands apart in his catalog, displaying a hard-fought air of confidence that defies his roots in misery.” - RIFF MAGAZINE
"Hungry, tenacious & valid" - XS Noise
“Arguably his strongest collection in years.” - Louder Than War Magazine
"Ideal quarantine record.” - The Post Millennial
“An 11 track outing which quite frankly is one of his best albums to date... it sees him in fine form, with witty and acerbic lyrics, and a rich baritone voice that appears to be actually getting stronger the older he gets." - Wall Of Sound"

(*AP = Associated Press)


Album promotional poster (Leeds):

( clever.swine / IG)

The main 3 formats available today:
(Clear vinyl, 'Test Presses" & cassettes haven't been sighted yet).

( Denisc1 / IG)

There is no matrix message on either version of the above vinyl.

The front cover art is credited, again, to Liam Lynch (using an image by Christopher Stewart of Morrissey at Manchester G-MEX, December 22, 2006).
The rear cover is by John Fekner and is described on his site as:

"In the summer of 1980, John Fekner stencils Broken Promises, Falsas Promesas, Decay, Broken Treaties, Last Hope and Save Our School on the walls and buildings of Charlotte Street in the South Bronx. The message of the Charlotte Street Stencils focuses on pointing out the deteriorating conditions and issues that plagued the community since the 1960s. Fekner’s main purpose is to bring attention to inadequate housing, poor services and deplorable social problems that afflicted the neighborhood residents for decades."

For a gallery of this project and further details - please see: here.

For the liner notes and lyrics - see: here.

The initial assertion that the red vinyl was 'indie' record shops only changed later to include HMV - who are selling all 3 formats above.

More reviews are expected and please see the tag link to follow them as they come in.

Regards,
FWD.

 

[Dr_West]

View attachment 55273

Should have been the album cover.

 

[Deleted member 29417]

Chain is reminding me of The Tiger Lillies.

It's like a nervous breakdown at a drag show in a cabaret club that's about to shut down.

Which is probably why I love it.

 

[Mr. Jackpots]

I'm pretty in love with it. What a great album. Maybe my favorite for decades.

 

[The Chameleon]

the album arrived this minute, delivered by our friendly postman who was wearing a face mask. it's now in proactive infrared quarantine before it is thoroughly desinfected...
View attachment 55247

View attachment 55248

don't warp your record, tho

 

[Eraserhead]

I am so pleased with this album. Especially after Low in High school, which had its moments but was under par and his worst album since Kill Uncle.

I really think this is his strongest and most consistent work since Vauxhall and I. Love is on it’s way out is the only weak song in my view, but most albums have a weaker track somewhere, anyway.

 

[Deleted member 25370]

don't warp your record, tho

dont worry, it"s still untouched. i assume or hope they are in a virgin-like state when they are shoved into their record jackets and then packed for transport.

 

[Deleted member 28251]

This album holds together brilliantly, as a whole listening experience. It’s been 23 years since I’ve listened to a new Morrissey LP and not wanted to skip tracks, or alter the play listing. Also, I think that the artwork is brilliantly bold and the sleeve completely stands out from other releases in the record racks. This record is a complete triumph.

 

[Cooley]

For what it’s worth, and I know very little about Moz compared to most on here (which may give me more of an objective viewpoint), IANADOAC will eventually be seen as a mid-table success. In the canon of Moz works that’s where it sits: an average album with peaks and troughs. And for once, I’m paying very little attention to the music press, because the majority are far too influenced by the subject himself to give us a balanced opinion. Morrissey has dug himself a great big f***ing hole, and that’s where he’ll remain - until he explains his actions. I don’t believe for one minute he’s racist, but plenty do. Until he clears the air, his music won’t receive a fair and balanced opinion. I think that’s a shame.

 

[Deleted member 29417]

For what it’s worth, and I know very little about Moz compared to most on here (which may give me more of an objective viewpoint), IANADOAC will eventually be seen as a mid-table success. In the canon of Moz works that’s where it sits: an average album with peaks and troughs. And for once, I’m paying very little attention to the music press, because the majority are far too influenced by the subject himself to give us a balanced opinion. Morrissey has dug himself a great big f***ing hole, and that’s where he’ll remain - until he explains his actions. I don’t believe for one minute he’s racist, but plenty do. Until he clears the air, his music won’t receive a fair and balanced opinion. I think that’s a shame.

He has explained his actions, if you root around, which is what a hack is meant to do. They're just enjoying having this monstrous, unambiguous image of him. Eventually someone will decide there has to be more to it & it'll change.

He doesn't socialize, he doesn't post online himself & he won't talk to the press anymore - so it may take a while or it may be tomorrow. It just takes one key hack.

 

[Gregor Samsa]

I think some posters are realistic and give an honest view, it's morons like the child who goes by the name of God Emperor Morrissey who are the problem. They simply cannot accept that some people may have a different opinion and then become abusive toward them for some reason.

That actually sounds like Uncle Skinny. He is the most loudmouthed, hostile and unpleasant person on here. We are many who can attest to this. If one is to criticize “unbalanced fans”, one should look to both sides of the spectrum.

 

[evennow]

I’ve only just joined this forum. Argumentative place, is it? Lol.

Yes. as far as Morrissey goes around here...

 

[evennow]

Is anyone else really disappointed with the artwork/packaging on both the CD and Vinyl. Really flimsy, especially the lyric sheets. And the grainy image especially on the vinyl is so bad. Of all the images he could have chosen, old or new why pick one with such low quality?

I am one of the few people here who likes the image. What you refer to as "low quality" I would describe as vintage. A throw back to album covers from the past. I think the cropping of the photo is what bothers me the most.

The full picture shows him wearing a brown sport coat, crisp yellow shirt and a nice gray tie that highlights his salt and pepper hair. It is rare to find him stylishly dressed, and this was an opportunity missed to showcase that.

 

[crotty32]

Hi,can anyone else hear nods to the sixties guitar bands e.g. The Shadows and The Tornadoes?To me what kind of people has Hank Marvins guitar licks on it ,or am I mad?

 

[JoeSellMozza]

 

[Anonymous]

I am one of the few people here who likes the image. What you refer to as "low quality" I would describe as vintage. A throw back to album covers from the past. I think the cropping of the photo is what bothers me the most.

The full picture shows him wearing a brown sport coat, crisp yellow shirt and a nice gray tie that highlights his salt and pepper hair. It is rare to find him stylishly dressed, and this was an opportunity missed to showcase that.

Haha salt & pepper hair, just had an image of Moz blow drying his quiff then Damon shaking condiments over it as a finishing touch before strolling on stage in his own inimitable way ?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi,can anyone else hear nods to the sixties guitar bands e.g. The Shadows and The Tornadoes?To me what kind of people has Hank Marvins guitar licks on it ,or am I mad?

Hank Marvin's guitar licks Cliff Richard's 'orse! ?

 

[Smithy09]

Jim Jim Falls is one catchy tune. But rejecting sympathy for the suicidal? The antithesis of Joke Isn't Funny Anymore? (and the rest) What does he mean?

 

[Cooley]

Morrissey is probably the most narcissistic man ever to walk the earth. And that suits me just fine.

 

[Deleted member 29417]

Hi,can anyone else hear nods to the sixties guitar bands e.g. The Shadows and The Tornadoes?To me what kind of people has Hank Marvins guitar licks on it ,or am I mad?

I think so. It also sounds quite 70s country rock.

 

[mcrickson]

I realized what song "What Kind of People" reminds me of, musically.