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Moderne Forum For Morrissey And The Smiths
Volume Three Issue Four
Hello AGAIN subscribers, since the new LP came out, there has been quite a
bit of great posts; keep them coming! :) Send all posts, requests for sub-
scriptions, inquiries, and address changes to:
[email protected]
If you are a new subscriber, or even if you aren't and haven't yet received
the subscribers poll, LET ME KNOW, and I'll email it to you at once. Remem-
ber, PLEASE fill these out sometime, I would like to start compiling it. I
understand that the new LP needs to sink in, but "please keep it in mind".
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Moderator's Silly Slang:
Sorry, but no tour news. In fact, I got a letter from Ilene at Sire in the
mail today saying she won't be able to confirm, and not to call her to ask
about them. So, sorry to those people I said I'd give her number to, but
PLEASE DON'T CALL SIRE, they are VERY BUSY, I will find out tour dates I am
sure before they are announced, but I am not sure when. Hopefully those guys
at 'Sing Your Life' will ask Jo Slee more detailed questions, but she did say
"Texas or Louisianna September 17." Sounds good, huh? :)
Here's Morrissey's press tour itinerary according to Ilene at Sire:
Tuesday, July 28th -- off.
Wednesday, July 29th -- Morrissey in Houston at the Record Rack.
Thursday -- off.
Friday, July 31 -- Los Angeles! Sam Goody's on Hollywood Blvd. next to the
Chinese Theatre -- you have to win a wristband on KROQ to go to this.
Saturday, August 1 -- San Diego -- 91X is having a contest, and if you win,
you get to go to a secret location and there will be a party with Morrissey
there. I can't give the location...sorry!
Sunday, August 2 -- Travel day.
Monday, August 3 -- Modern Rock Live. He's scheduled to be on this radio
show there.
Tuesday, August 4 -- Press day.
Wednesday, August 5 -- MTV live performance for Hangin With MTV. Interview
with John Norris, and possibly Kurt Loder for 120 Minutes or/and MTV news.
Tickets for this are already SOLD OUT. Morrissey will then return home until
the tour!
And we will be here waiting for him. I promise to exhaust all means to find
out those tour dates, but I hope others try too, maybe we can all get some
pieces to the Morrissey tour puzzle. Also, I am going to send some of the
'Strangeways' issues to Ilene, so if she sees some of your questions, she is
very good at answering them, so just send any questions you have as a post!
And THANKS ILENE, YOU HAVE BEEN GREAT with so much going on all at once!!!! :)
Michael
"I'm too much in love, I'm too much in love"
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From: Christopher -Cable- King <
[email protected]>
Subject: Your Arsenal Review
Wow! The time has finally arrived. Today, Tuesday 28 July, 1992, Morrissey's
new album was released. Not since 20 March 1991 (the date of Kill Uncle's
release) have I so eagerly anticipated a day. Except this day was not to
follow with the same sense of disappointment that that day ended with.
For those who don't feel like wading through my entire review I'll encapsulate
my opinions of this album. Close, but not quite. I would compare it to
Meat is Murder, which I thought was a great album, but didn't quite have
that extra punch that put it over the top. Your Arsenal doesn't have a song
of the classic nature of "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore", but it is a wonderful
album. I dread to make such statements after only hearing the album four
times (straight in a row, with my doors locked, head phones on, telephone
unplugged), but it deserves it.
The album goes back to the classic Smiths rock and roll approach to music,
with a ballad or two thrown in for good measure. It has its traditional
pop songs which Morrissey is so fine at crafting, but more than that it has
the power which only Morrissey can bring to an album.
I will agree that Morrissey has stumbled more than once in his solo career.
First with Viva Hate which was not exactly flawless, but to its credit it
had the incredible Alsatian Cousin and Suedehead. Then there was Bona Drag,
which Morrissey does not get enough credit for. Even though it was a singles
and b-sides compilation, no ones B-sides are as awesome as the Mozzer's.
Then, regretably, there was Kill Uncle. Except for its moments of heart
stopping intensity (mostly Mute Witness), it lacked the instrumental
arrangements that make a great album, even though the lyrics were inspired.
Now, I am happy to say, Morrissey has finally found an adequate (more than
adequate - wonderful) replacement for Johnny Marr - Alain Whyte, who has been
in his current band since the Kill Uncle Tour. Alain cowrote all but two songs
on this album. "You're Gonna Need Someone" and "I Know Its Gonna Happen" were
written by Mark E. Nevin, the person credited with cowriting most of Kill
Uncle. Morrissey's faith in the long term prospects of his band are shown
on the back of the CD box, where he duly allows everyone to be photographed.
Unfortunately the picture of Alain Whyte does not do the boy justice. In
concert he is shown to be God's gift to men and women.
The one thing I noticed before I got home from the record store was the
absolute lack of lyrics that were in the liner notes to this album. This
is a serious flaw, seeing as how half the reason one buys a Morrissey album
is for the engaging lyrics. However, after having listened to the album, I
can't help but feeling that Morrissey was a bit uncomfortable with his lyrics
on this album. They are not quite up to par with his past achievements, and
at moments seem as if they could have been written by anyone - but after
listening to them, and comparing them against Carter USM's lyrics in their
new album (which I also bought today) - I must say that Morrissey is still
far superior even when he is mediocre.
Now for my opinions track by track - lucky you :)
You're Gonna Need Someone on Your Side
______________________________________
This is a very hard sounding track. A friend described it as having a
"Grunge Metal" sound to it. I whole-heartedly agree. Plus, it has an
awesome guitar going through the entire track which brings up memories of
Batman - duh duh duh ...
This definately signals a change from Kill Uncle.
Glamorous Glue
______________
New Musical Express describes this completely glam rock - thinking of
Morrissey's roots that makes sense. It is pretty good, not great, but
has some interesting lyrics which unfortunately lack cohesion.
"Firs day of your job you find everyone lies, no one cares"
"We look to LA for the language we use, London is Dead, London is Dead..."
Quite campy.
We'll Let You Know
__________________
This song didn't do much for me at first, buit it is definately growing on
me. Once again the lyrics seem to wander, which is unusual because the Mozzer
usually crafts "perfect pop melodies". This is _almost_ a classic. There
are beautiful guitar and various other sounds which mesh wondefully. But
what does this lyric mean? "We're all smiles and honest I swear its the
turnstiles that make us hostile"
The National Front Disco
________________________
INCREDIBLE!
The first absolutely great song on the album.
Its fast. Its rock and roll. Its lyrically dense. Its vocally lush.
What more could one ask for.
Morrissey does vocal gymnastics, showing a true range. Brilliant!
"You've gone because you want the day to come sooner when you'll settle the
score"
Certain People I Know
_____________________
quite rockabilly. Sort of what I worried the entire album would be like after
listening to the KROQ sessions and Pregnant for the Last Time.
It includes a traditional Moz paradox: "I trust the views of certain people
I know... I'd hate to be like certain people I know."
An album has to have a top half and a bottom half, this falls under the latter.
But Moz's bottom half is better than most top halfs.
We Hate It....
______________
You know it - you love it. Perfect single
You're the One for Me Fatty
___________________________
I've already reviewed it, but it is quite good.
Seasick Yet Still Docked
________________________
It has a beautiful intro.
And its one great feature is that its atrocious title is not to be
found anywhere in the lyrics :).
I am ambivalent about this song. There is a potential for something great,
but it doesn't quite make it.
And the lyrics are uninspired: "I wish I had the charm to attract the one
I love, but I've got no charm."
I Know Its Gonna Happen Someday
_______________________________
Unadulterated passion and brilliance.
Opens with Russian (?) voices broadcast over a static background, then into
a short Doris Day (?) melody, then into a powerful, anthemic ballad.
And my god, its semi-optomistic.
"My love, wherever you are, whomever you are, don't lose faith, I know
its gonna happen someday. Please wait."
Tomorrow
________
You'll be hearing a lot more of this song. Wonderful single, now out in
most of the states. Rock and four minutes long ( a long single by Moz's
standards!)
"Tomorrow - You don't think I'd make it. I never said I wanted to - did I?"
Overall - four of five snaps!
Review Key: five snaps - girl, run out and buy this one quick before
you waste your money on that new George Michael
song.
four snaps - It's not quite as good as Sinnead's "Nothing
Compares 2 U", but you'll be listening to it
long past the time Ross Perot becomes another
anonymous has-been politician.
3*3* snaps - It may not be a classic, but neither was that
damned Vanilla Ice album you wasted your money
on. This, at least is money well spent.
two! snaps - There are a lot of albums in the word, can you
really afford this one? Remember, Madonna is
scheduled for August - save up.
1 :( snap - This album will fit nicely between your Village
People's "Macho Man" maxi-single and La Toya
Jackson's album which you bought when you
thought she was making a comeback - immediately
after "reading" the article in Playboy.
*NO* snaps - What are you thinking, girl? Snap out of it!
******************************************** ______ ***************************
** Christopher King Harvey ACT \ / With Silence We **
** Class of '95 Mudd College UP \ / Oppress Ourselves **
********************************************** \/ *****************************
** My opinions stand as the official opinions of Harvey Mudd College and all **
** of the related institutions and employees until I am challenged. **
*******************************************************************************
** "Your Prejudice Won't Keep You Warm Tonight" - Morrissey **
*******************************************************************************
From:
[email protected] (Scott Krajewski)
Subject: Your Arsenal lyrics 1st try
Here's my attempt at the lyrics from 'Your Arsenal.' 'Tomorrow'
TJB. '( )' means that I think I might know what this part is and '????"
means that I am really lost. Please E-mail me any corrections or
suggestions. If we get a really good final version I'll make a
neato postscript file and post it or something.
Morrissey - 'Your Arsenal'
All songs written by Morrissey/Alain Whyte except #1 & #9 by Morrissey/M.E. Nevin
'You're Gonna Need Someone On Your Side'
With the world's fate resting on your shoulders
You're gonna need someone on your side
You can't do it by yourself
Any longer
You're gonna need someone on your side
Someone kindly told me that you've wasted
Eight of nine lives
Give yourself a break
Before you break down
You're gonna need someone on your side
And here I am
And here I am
Well you don't need to look so pleased
Day or night
There is no difference
You're gonna need someone on your side
Day or night
There is no difference
You're gonna need someone on your side
And here I am
And here I am
Well you don't need to look so pleased
'Glamorous Glue'
First day with the jar you find
Everyone lies
First day with the jar you find
Everyone lies
Nobody minds
Everyone lies
Where is the man you respect?
And where is the woman that you love?
Where's the woman that you love?
Third week with the jar you find
Everything dies
We won't vote conservative
Because we never have
Everyone lies
Everyone lies
Where is the man you respect?
And where is the woman that you love?
Where's the woman that you love?
Everything of worth
On earth
Is there to share
I used to dream
And I used to (vow)
I wouldn't dream of it now
We look to Los Angeles
For the language we use
London is dead
London is dead
London is dead
London is dead
London is dead
London is dead
(????)
(????)
Somewhere
I'll go
Into (hell) and
>From (????)
'We'll Let You Know'
How sad (????)
And how sad have we been
We'll let you know
We'll let you know
But only if
You're really interesting
You wonder how
We've stayed alive 'till now
We'll let you know
We'll let you know
But only if
You're really interesting
We're all smiles
And honest I swear
It's the turnstiles
That made us hostile
We will descend
On anyone unable to defend
Themselves
And the songs we sing
They're not supposed to mean a thing
We may seem cold
Or we may even be
The most depressing people you've ever known
(????)
What's left
(we) sadly (know)
That we are the last
Truly British people you've ever known
We are the last truly British people
You will ever know
Ever never
Want to know
'The National Front Disco'
David, the wind blows
The wind blows
Bits of your life away
Your friends all say,
"Where is our boy?"
"We lost our boy."
But they should have known where you have gone
Because again and again you've explained
That you're going to
Going to
England for the English
England for (the English)
David, the winds blow
The winds blow
All of my dreams away
And I still say,
"Where is our boy?"
"We lost our boy."
But I should have known why you've gone
Because again and again you've explained
You've gone to The National
to The National
There's a country
You don't live there
But one day you would like to
And if you show them what you're made of
Then you (might prove)
David, we wonder
We wonder if the thunder
Is ever really gonna begin
Begin again
Your mum said,
"I've lost my boy."
But she should know
Why you've gone
Because again and again you've explained
You've gone to The National
to The National
to The National Front Disco
Because you want the day to come sooner
You want the day to come sooner
You want the day to come sooner
When you settle the score
The National
The National
The National
The National
The National
'Certain People I Know'
I take the cue from certain people and
I use the cue and then I hand it on to you
And when I swing it
So it catches his eye
Would you dare?
You'd have died
I trust the views of certain people I know
The look at danger and they laugh their heads off
Their clothes are imitation
George the twenty-third
Don't you find
This absurd?
I'd hate to be like certain people I know
The break their necks and can't afford to get them fixed
They'd sacrifice all
Oh the principles fall
Anything cashable
I do believe
It's terrible
'We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful'
We hate it when our friends become successful
We hate it when our friends become successful
Oh look at those clothes
Now look at that face
It's so old
And such a video
Well, it's really laughable
We hate it when our friends become successful
and if they're northern
That it makes it even worse then
If we can destroy them
You bet your life we will destroy them
If we can hurt them
Well, we may as well
It's really laughable
You see it should have been me
It could have been me
Everybody knows
Everybody says so
They say
Oh, you have loads of songs
So many songs
More songs then they can stand
First chorus
(a mid-late break of faith)
Just listen.....
'You're The One For Me, Fatty'
You're the one for me, fatty
You're the one I really really love
And I will stay
Promise you'll say if I'm in your way
You're the one for me, fatty
You're the one I really really love
And I will stay
Promise you'll say if I'm ever in your way
A hey
All (over battle scenes)
Some hope and some despair
All (over battle scenes)
some hope and some despair
You're the one for me, fatty
You're the one I really really love
And I will stay
Promise you'll say if I'm in your way
You're the one for me, fatty
You're the one I really really love
And I will stay
Promise you'll say if I'm ever in your way
A hey
All (over battle scenes)
Some hope and some despair
All (over battle scenes)
some hope and some despair
You're the one for me, fatty
You're the one I really really love
And I will stay
Promise you'll say if I'm ever in your way
A hey
You're the one for me, fatty
You're the one for me
Hey hey
A hey a hey
A hey
A hey hey hey
'Seasick, Yet Still Docked'
I am a poor
Freezingly cold soul
So far from where
I intended to go
Scavenging through
Life's very constant lows
So far from where
I'm determined to go
I wish I knew the way
To reach the one I love
There is no way
I wish I had the charm
To attract the one I love
But you see
I've got no charm
Tonight I've consumed
Much more than I can hold
All this is
Very clear to you
And you can tell
I have never really loved
You can tell by the way
I sleep all day
And all of my life
No one gave me anything
No one has ever given me anything
My love is as sharp
As a needle in your eye
You must be such a fool
To pass me by
'I Know It's Gonna Happen Someday'
My love
Wherever you are
Whatever you are
Don't lose faith
I know it's gonna happen someday
To you
Please wait
Please wait
Wait
Don't lose faith
You say that the day
Just never arrives
And its (never seems) so far away
Still I know it's gonna happen someday
To you
Please wait
Don't lose faith
'Tomorrow'
Tomorrow
Will it really come?
And if it does come, will I still be human?
All I ask of you is one thing that you'll never do
Would you put your arms around me?
I won't have anyone
Tomorrow
Does it have to come?
All I ask of you is one thing that you'll never do
Would you put your arms around me?
I won't have anybody
Tomorrow
And what must come before?
All of the pain in my arms
All of the pain in my legs
Through my shiftless body
Tomorrow
Its surely nearer now
You don't think I'll make it
I never said I wanted to
Well did I?
All of the pain in my arms
All of the pain in my legs
Oh yeah, oh yeah
No yeah, no yeah
Through my shiftless body
Tomorrow
Tomorrow
All I ask of you...
Is would you tell me that you love me?
Tell me, tell me that you love me
Tell me, tell me that you love me
Tell me that you love me
Oh, I know you don't mean it
Oh, I know you don't mean it
Oh tell me, oh tell me
Oh tell me, oh tell me
------------------------------------------
So there we have it!
'We'll let you know
but only if
you're really interesting.'
Scott
From:
[email protected]
Subject: Strangeways
Re: This Charming Man CD
Anybody if the US will get both CD singles? Or, if one, which one? Maybe both
on one?
Also, does anybody think, as I speculate, that the UK releases might follow
the trend of filling a "set," with one disc coming in a case to hold both
discs, and the second coming in a cheap paper envelope? Just curious.
Michael
"Tonight, I've consumed much more than I can hold."
From:
[email protected]
Subject: New Video
Someone asked about the Morrissey video; here's some brief info:
It was shot in VHS, which means so-so picture quality. Nothing
very exciting about the video. The sound is, upon first listen
an modest volumes, simply not that hot -- I guess I'd call it
fuzzy in the bass-midrange, OK at the top, but with the percussion
mixed too high.
I'll try to listen to it at higher volumes and report back.
Other briefs - my stupid cd player won't spin-up the "We Hate..."
cd single, and I bought it in Ann Arbor so taking it back isn't
convenient (as I live in Texas). Anyone else have a problem
with that? Orderred the new CD yesterday; I'm looking forward
to hearing it and appreciate the descriptions others have provided.
Finally, I'm always looking to trade boots; I have audio and
video (and some rarities) avialable. Send me private mail:
uunet!wiltel!dlocke
Later,
-Dick Locke
p.s. The video is around 60 minutes long.
From:
[email protected] (Richard Karty)
Subject: Strangeways
I'm about to leave town and in a hurry but -
'A Taste of Honey' is going to be on the PBS station in Seattle -
channel 9 at 9:00 on Saturday. 'Strangeways' subscribers in the
viewing area shouldn't miss this formative part of M.'s psyche.
From: "Bird Rendell H." <
[email protected]>
Subject: CUSM's _Panic_
Strange-Folk,
Michael C. Massengale asks:
P.S. Where's this Carter USM cover of Panic supposed to appear? I bought
1992: The Love Album today, but it's not on it. What gives?
It is on their most recent CDSingle. I am afraid I don't remember the
name of the main song, but I almost bought the CD5 for the cover
picture alone : it is montage of condom wrappers!
*I LIKE IT*
Plus I have a question myself: Who is the person on the cover of
the _Strageways Here We Come_ album (as well as the inside of the
CD booklet for "Paint a Vulgar Picture")?
Rendell
