A reviewer who has thought about the subject rather than rehashing the half arsed psychobabble that usually passes for a Morrissey review.

The "light on instrumental hooks" prompted crystallization in my mind of my primary complaint about Morrissey's band post-1993. Don't get me wrong, I think they're good musicians (though I'm not one, so what) and nice guys (I've met Boz and Dean).

Sadly, not even a Morrissey/Marr reunion would remedy the hook problem, if Marr's recent work is any indication. Again, good talent, technique, etc... but where are the hooks? How about a pop song once in a while? Maybe that would be too fashionable?

.. for once a Pitchfork review which cuts straight to the quick and doesn't piss about with musicological wankery.

Actually, it's an excellent review and echoes my sentiments exactly. Who is this record aimed at? I'd say 90% of the people who buy this already own "... Quarry" and "Ringleader ..." so we've all basically been sucked into paying full-price for two new songs, ie. one CD single.

6.1 out of what?

Too many cryptic references. I mean could you get any more cryptic. I’ve never seen such an utter display of cryptic comments in all of my like 48 something years. It’s like you are walking on eggshells, like you’re scared. Must have taken you nine hours to compose this cryptic gobble dee guck. Remnants of sugarcoating ... mmm ... like when you go to the bakery to attain a little snack. The white sugar coating in a circular motion cookies surrounding the insert of jelly, I believe , oh what do you call them-um ... um ... linzer tarts. You were panicking maybe when you were orchestrating this, seems like you’re scared of a case or something, maybe.
Why don’t you just get it off your chest-tell me how you really feel. Do tell. Quit skirting the issues. Your mish mosh references that Morrissey consistently sings the same old, same old this and that was not even properly validated. First of all, you couldn’t validate it because he does not do that and secondly your poor attempt at utilizing the songs LOTF, TYWTML, and FOTGTD and whatever the hell other songs you unjustly referenced being about soiled children, spoiled or whatever the hell you said turning into killers - was any of what you said coherent? I am mixed up, but I am writing stream of consciousness. What’s your excuse? None of these songs have the same basic meanings, but you have illustrated that they do time and time again. To clarify, you are maintaining that Morrissey repeats himself in songs, bottom line-he does not. If you listened to YATQ and I mean really listened, I think you would see Morrissey in a completely different light than you would in Maladjusted-and that’s just one example.
Especially insured-beyond logic, mind blowing, inspirational, tip top “new” songs including but not limited to SISMS. It is tip top “A”, 3,000, deep, powerful, and above and beyond perfect.
And you know what-THPGU is impeccable, immaculate. And to top it all off, the video of this “new” song showing how hot he is, playful he is, and that 1000% angel voice that that seeps into your mind, body and everything. Also, try having a listen to Paris.
Morrissey, now more than ever-not a one possesses his charisma, charm, truthfulness. All of the hard work he has been through all these years after The Smiths severed, all of this paid off. This is also insured. You also utilized your cryptic tactics in mentioning the other three Smith members. 411 - look at Johnny, Andy, and that talentless money sucking Mike Gross. Right-so at least Johnny possesses some brains and talent but Mike, well all he has left is his lying broken straws for drumsticks and I hear he has now been promoted allegedly to “professional con artist” - well done. Not. I hear he even eats Chinese Food with straws thinking the straws are chopsticks., maybe his drumsticks. Morrissey has persevered with age, Mike has subsided. Mike Gross-Ewwww, and he even had the nerve to reproduce. Take care of your children-I mean it’s not like you have anything better to do.
Regarding Andy, I hear he allegedly already went through his whole settlement on his addictions but at least he learned to tie his shoes. But I’m not going to comment, at least he was half way reasonable-maybe. Andy isn’t still hallucinating that he matters. Just keep drinking his morphine drinks - at least he isn’t ruining people’s good names. Mike-you can’t even stimulate dirt. Last I heard Mike Gross, in 2004, you were playing at my niece’s friends sweet sixteen in Willoughby. And you were squirming in your delusional attempts to force the two blue striped broken straws you call sticks to play for you. I believe you were playing a song from the band “STYX”. The Smiths are over Mr. Gross, you are over-this is why, this is why your shrink keeps scribbling on his pad while you inanely tell him in each of your sessions how you once were Morrissey’s drummer.
It’s one thing to win, it’s another to collect, Mr. Gross. You think I’m going to remix, remaster, and say and say you wo

worse than the eNMEy!

They essentially give GH's a D- and I feel like that's exactly what it deserves. The last three years are not his worst, but not his greatest, and the album is completely unwarrented.

I'm agreeing with those saying this is intelligent and spot on. The question here is not so much whether the music is good, but why this compilation? Here's my guess, or what I hope to be the answer: Someone in the Morrissey camp realised that All You Need is Me and That's How People Grow Up weren't really good enough for the new album, but they wanted to put them out anyway, other than as singles (which no one buys anymore), so they thought the best way to do it would be as part of a compilation.

I like how what we've heard of new album - material Mama Lay Softly on the Riverbed etc. - sounds, and I'm hoping this is representative and that we'll get a great album. Morrissey has not been doing badly recently. I just feel he could be doing so much better.

pitchfork...shitfork more like

its all because Universal (who owns decca) owns sanctuary now too (sanctuary released lwst two albums), and obviously they wont pay much EMI who owns rigrts for 90s albums.

there's nothing more conteptaul about it