Morrissey’s Latest Is His Most - The Federalist

"Morrissey’s Latest Is His Most - The Federalist
By David Marcus

The master of mope is back at it and his latest is close to his best.

Last week, the almost-cancelled 1980’s, 90’s, and now’s alt-music star Morrissey dropped a new single. It somehow manages to be a complete surprise while fitting onto his oeuvre like a glove. “Love Is On Its Way Out” is the most Morrissey of Morrissey song titles. He is almost mocking his own maudlin tendencies, but inside this song there is a lot to think about.

The song begins with its title, and Morrissey matter of factly explains that love is on its way out. It’s tired, it’s done, it’s over. Throughout his career Morrissey has taken a skeptical view of love. Usually he expresses that he is not worthy of it. In songs like “I Want The One I Can’t Have,” Morrissey paints himself as un-lovable, the title of another of his songs.

The bizarre joke about Morrissey has always been that his fans think he’s super hot with his strong jaw and erect puff of black hair, yet he paints himself as a grotesque gargoyle. This tension has worked its way throughout his entire time in the spotlight. Johnny Carson, the most affable and bright guy on TV, often admitted he was hopelessly shy, what we saw was deflection. So it is with Morrissey.

Love is on its way out. It doesn’t seem like any specific love. This isn’t a break-up, yet. This is love generally. It moves into kids being victims of war and the “sad rich” killing elephants and lions. Quick note here that big-game hunting actually provides considerable funding for conservation, but, setting that on one side: Morrissey is talking about love leaving the world.

Might we wonder if this is true? Is love leaving the world? Do we just hate each other now? Do we refuse to shake hands and rip up speeches? Do we glare at the enemy with glowing animosity? We often do. We probably have a problem.

The song is unique for Morrissey, as it not guitar-driven. Moz has been blessed with absurd guitar talent. As front man for the Smiths, he sang alongside Johnny Marr, a master of the Rickenbacker with no rival. Since going solo, Morrissey has crooned above Boz Boorer, a more workmanlike version of Marr but with his own magic.

But not on this track. The backing here is almost purely electronic. It’s a synth pop style that feels foreign to Morrissey, who at the end of the day, even though it seems weird, is more a rock star than a pop star. But his voice rises above the digital beats as usual, a little bored, a little distracted, until the end.

After, I don’t know, a harpsichord solo? Flush with vague soprano flourishes, the song launches into its coda. And the guitars are back. The niche pop Morrissey tune is suddenly a severe and meaningful one. He’s not joking now. He asks that before love goes, before it makes its bow and exit that someone, we never know who, take the time to show him what its like. As much actor as singer as he always is, he begs. The song turns.

“Take time, be mine and gaze with fondness on the wrong one.” It’s Morrissey understanding his entire philosophy. One based in simple moments that don’t come often enough. A look across a table that makes you think you have value. But also the recognition that you can never truly be what people want you to be.

I had a wonderful history teacher in high school named Don Kawash who was also a professional ragtime piano player. One day I had lunch with him, when he was in his 60s. He said, “David, when I was 25 I could hit any note, but I didn’t know what they meant. Now I know what they mean but I can’t hit them all.” Morrissey knows what the notes mean now and he’s hitting them. This is no retro act; he is making some of his very best music."

https://thefederalist.com/2020/02/07/morrisseys-latest-is-his-most/
 
Last edited by a moderator:
No. You fail, in constantly repeating the same limited slogans against your "enemies":
"Move on"
"Why visiting this site anyway"
"Modern Morrissey has so much to offer"
"Need help"
"You are a troll"

‘enemies’ ? :lbf: Don’t flatter yourself. I’ve no ‘enemies’.

I only see the truth and speak it. And you are the one performing the actions of a troll by coming onto a site that’s dedicated to an artist that you no longer enjoy listening to.

Get some help, please.
 
‘enemies’ ? :lbf: Don’t flatter yourself. I’ve no ‘enemies’.

I only see the truth and speak it. And you are the one performing the actions of a troll by coming onto a site that’s dedicated to an artist that you no longer enjoy listening to.

Get some help, please.
You are repeating yourself again and again and again....yawn.
 
Ronaldo? Don’t know who that is.

Anyway, you still can not stop resorting to name calling. It’s really sad.

You really need help.
FYI. Ronaldo once tried to play football for Man United, a former rent boy from Madeira , fergie( the manager) picked him up on a CL game in about 2002, they were lovers for a while, until fergie said he wanted something younger....
 
You are limited and you know it. The troll rating syndrom of you and your troll friend is really poor.

You’re the one that keeps rating my posts with ‘dislikes’ :lbf:


I’m just trying to help you.

Let my words be your medicine.

You need help.
 
Tbf I don't really care if people hate his music or his personality - what annoys me is a bunch of hypocrites monstering him over a couple of comments & a bloody pin.

I don’t care if they don’t like him or his music too. But then why do they obsessively come here just to troll and believe it is a sane and healthy thing to do?

It doesn’t change Morrissey it doesn’t change his fans. It’s a loony thing to do.
 
You are limited and you know it. The troll rating syndrom of you and your troll friend is really poor.
Frank..... your starting to become dull yet again... I sorted you out the other Sunday, put you in the naughty corner, yet you have emerged, again to bore the lot of us drink... up the game , as I’ve told little joe, with his face in the snow.... I don’t think it would be of any harm if you had a line or two now and again, might just spice up the nothingness of these rainy damp Preston Tuesday afternoons.
 
I don’t care if they don’t like him or his music too. But then why do they obsessively come here just to troll and believe it is a sane and healthy thing to do?

It doesn’t change Morrissey it doesn’t change his fans. It’s a loony thing to do.

Go away and make your own forum then. Pathetic wee rat, can’t tolerate an opposing opinion. Are people just supposed to say he’s ace, when he’s obviously not, his music is wank and he’s gone senile, and lynch pins like you are assisting his decline. All I can deduce from that, is, you don’t really care about morrissey that much.
 
KET sun ... why bother with the paupers and peasants.... you are to worthy as to lower your good self to non standard, posters...
 
Go away and make your own forum then. Pathetic wee rat, can’t tolerate an opposing opinion. Are people just supposed to say he’s ace, when he’s obviously not, his music is wank and he’s gone senile, and lynch pins like you are assisting his decline. All I can deduce from that, is, you don’t really care about morrissey that much.

You’re the one that can’t tolerate my opinion. And resort to name calling.

It’s very sad.

Please, get some help.
 
You’re the one that can’t tolerate my opinion. And resort to name calling.

It’s very sad.

Please, get some help.

you’re happy for a once great, icon, lyrical pioneer, absolute majestic, enigmatic frontman, to now start shitting out sub par records, homemade cat t-shirts and tacky plastic California son record players. You should be ashamed. Call yourself a fan, reallyyyy????
 
Are people just supposed to say he’s ace, when he’s obviously not, his music is wank and he’s gone senile, and lynch pins like you are assisting his decline. All I can deduce from that, is, you don’t really care about morrissey that much.


If you feel that way, then why continue to listen to and criticize his work?

Your posts will not change him or his fans.

If you think Morrissey is ‘shite’ then why do you keep on obsessively rubbing your face in it? :crazy:

You really really need help.


Please, get help.
 
Last edited:
you’re happy for a once great, icon, lyrical pioneer, absolute majestic, enigmatic frontman, to now start shitting out sub par records, homemade cat t-shirts and tacky plastic California son record players. You should be ashamed. Call yourself a fan, reallyyyy????

If I did dislike his new work, how would my dislike and criticism
of his new work change him?

Why would I want him to repeat himself, when he clearly doesn’t want to repeat himself regardless of what others think of his new work?

Man, you just don’t see.
 

Trending Threads

Back
Top Bottom