1) You Know I Couldn't Last
2) First Of The Gang To Die
3) The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores
4) Let Me Kiss You
5) America Is Not The World
6) Irish Blood, English Heart
7) I Have Forgiven Jesus
8) I'm Not Sorry
9) Come Back To Camden
10)How Could Anybody...
11)All The Lazy Dykes
12)I Like You
The first 9 of them I really like a lot.
The other 3 I'm not too sure about.
Goodnight and thank you.

...'The First of the Gang to Die' to be the winner here, but I adore, 'I'm Not Sorry', nice pace, great lyrics and any song with a submarine noise in it is fantastic in my book.

And just to annoy people I also like 'America is Not the World' too, although the opening couplet would benefit from being 'America your head's too big, because America, you're far too rich'

And no I don't hate America. I hate boiled fish.

A poster above notes that he expects 'The First Of The Gang To Die' to win. Well, there's a reason for this. It is far and away the best track on Quarry. It is cracking. And it is the ONLY track on the new album to live up to the standards we know Moz to be capable of. The rest are pretty undistinguished, AOR efforts.

And yes, I am a fan. I ADORE The Smiths' work and have a great deal of time for Vauxhall and Arsenal. But in many ways Quarry sees Moz abandon the things that in the past made him great (lyrical quality, musical edge).

'First Of The Gang' is fab and deserves to be a hit though.

I keep changing my mind, but current rankings are:

1. I Like You
2. I'm Not Sorry
3. Let Me Kiss You
4. First Of The Gang To Die
5. Irish Blood, English Heart
6. You Know I Couldn't Last
7. All The Lazy Dykes
8. I Have Forgiven Jesus
9. The World Is Full of Crashing Bores
10. How Can Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel?
11. America Is Not The World
12. Come Back To Camden

Is it just me or does this song have the most catchy chorus of all time? I cannot get it out of my head. I have even resorted to listening to the Birdy song on repeat (no not literally but metaphorically!!)

1. First of the gang to die
2. Come back to Camden
3. I have forgiven Jesus
4. Irish blood, English heart
5. I like you
6. You know I couldn't last
7. The world is full of crashing bores
8. How could anybody possibly know how I feel
9. Let me kiss you
10. All the lazy dykes
11. America is not the world
12. I'm not sorry

I wish the IBEH b-sides had been included so we could've seen that Symphonies is, by far, the best of all the new songs.
John

1. I like you
2. All the lazy dykes
3. Irish blood English heart
4. I have forgiven Jesus
5. You know I couldn't last
6. The first of the gand to die
7. America is not the world
8. How can you possibly know how I feel?
9. Come back to Camden
10. I'm not sorry
11. The world is full of crashing bores
12. Let me kiss you

Let him have it

I agree, First of the Gang to Die is an absolutely catchy tune that I cannot stop singing to myself all the time!

but...

I also like "I Have Forgiven Jesus", the tune of the song is pleasing to the ears.

Okay, I agree that the music to "First of the Gang" is very catchy. It's really the only upbeat song on the whole album. It is fun to listen to, and I like it. If only it had different lyrics!! When I first heard the lyrics to this song back in 2002, I winced. I mean, they're just laughable. They're retarded! I mean, why doesn't he just sing, "Hey, I'm a rich white guy who doesn't understand anything about the ethnography of urban street culture. I like to drive around poor parts of Los Angeles in my Mercedes and fantasize about how romantic the harsh lives of these minorities are."

Of course, I'm sure Morrissey is not referring to ACTUAL gang members in his songs. No, he's singing about those middle-class, Hispanic fans of his from West Covina who roll up their jeans and think they're tough because they get into fights at Sweet and Tender Hooligan shows. Now the idiocy of the lyrics is understandable.

FOTG is my first choice.

If Crashing Bores had been the faster version he performed live then that would have been a more serious contender for the best track for me.

I find the slow version much too ploddy and over produced.

And if "The Never Played Symphonies" had been on the album (as it should have been) then that would have tied with FOTG for first place.

'I'm not sorry' and 'I like you' are also those i favour.

'Dykes' and 'America' my least favourite... so far...

give me another week and all this will change!

OK... As I absorb the long-awaited Quarry, I'm in a quandry over the opinions on this board. A few thoughts:
--"First of the Gang" is terribly overrated. I'm baffled that it's the favorite track on this site of Moz fans. It's trite, uninspired, and hokey. The most interesting thing about this song is the tiny riff lifted from Alma Matters that makes only two brief appearances. Blah.
--The EP tracks are terribly underrated. A full 144 of you thought "they all sucked." Huh? "Munich," "Symphonies," and "Hard to Walk Tall" are all far better than at least four Quarry tracks: The utterly pointless Lazy Dykes, aptly named Crashing Bores, dreary Let me Kiss You, and yes, "Gang."
--My three favorite tracks on Quarry in no order are I'm not Sorry, I Have Forgiven Jesus, and Irish Blood. "Sorry" is so enjoyable -- atmospheric and seductive, something a bit different for Moz. "Jesus" is powerful fun, a classic ressurection of old Moz form. And "Irish" is a fine lead track, particularly as the only real rocker on the CD. Come Back to Camden, I Like You, How Could Anybody Possibly... and You Know I Couldn't Last are all decent, and growing on me more. The rest are forgettable if not regrettable.
--This CD is making me revisit another underrated effort, Maladjusted. From the fantastic lead-off single, to the riveting title track, this album is full of rich arrangements and is all-too overlooked by Moz fans trying to recaputre Viva Hate, or with more futility, chasing The Smiths.
--Don't get me wrong. I like Quarry, quite a bit. I would just like to see more discourse about the tracks themselves.

I think that they should run this poll again in about 4 to 6 months time, just to see if there is any change in the popularity of certain songs. People keep saying that the album is a grower, so I think this is too soon to get a true picture of what people think.

If the poll is re-submitted, I think that the current B-sides should be included also, along with any B-sides from "First Of The Gang", and any third single(if there is a third single, of course).

In response to insulting the lyrics of First of the Gang, I think they are just fine. The lyrics of I'm Not Sorry, How could Anybody Know how I feel, America is not the world and You Know I couldn't last" are downright embarrassing. NME says that Moz is the best lyricist ever? That is laughable. While I am a huge Morrissey fan, I think his lyrics are extremely overated. I like alliteration as much as the next guy, but
telling me where to shove my hamburger is ridiculous. Also, "How Could Anybody" sounds like a cheesy Jerry Springer show with some 14 year old saying "You don't know me!" Morrissey, I can judge you, just like you judge everybody (insert David Bowie here.) Finally, the part about the "madman" inside of Morrissey's head in "I'm Not Sorry" is ridiculous. What makes Morrissey stand out is his voice. Melodramatic lyrics are nice, but come on. We're not fourteen anymore with New Order patches on our school bags. I guess Moz was right, teeneagers do grow up, yawn, and then kill you.

Finally, All the Lazy Dykes is the third worst song I have ever heard. The only songs worse than that are "Freebird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and that instrumental Allman Brothers song.

"COME BACK TO CAMDEN" is my favorite right now.
"THE WORLD IS FULL OF CRASHING BORES" is a close second. Both are spectacular Morrissey classics.

Does anyone else wish that Morrissey would have sung one more refrain of the chorus in "I HAVE FORGIVEN JESUS"? He sings that amazing chorus two times and then there's the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc part "B" and then instead of going back to that hook chorus, Moz goes off on Jesus...about "self deprecating bones and skin" and "do you hate me?". I don't get it, that chorus is so great that it should have appeared at least a 3rd time. I still love the song anyway.

When I first heard that IBEH was going to be the 1st single I posted my disappoinment (not because it's a bad song, it's just not the kind of single that is going to rise to the top of the charts in the US). At that time many people said how they thought First of the Gang was crap and how much better IBEH was.

Now a mere 5% are standing by IBEH....

"Its hard to walk tall when you're small" replaced "America..." and "The Never Played Symphonies" replaced "All The LAzy Dykes."

The album would go from an 8 to a 10 in my opinion.

This track is amazing!! I absolutely love every verse from the opening line, "She told me she loved me which means she must be insane.." to the ending verse. This reminds me very much of classic Smiths and early Morrissey! Actually, every track is phenomenal, Come back to Camden, I'm Not Sorry, Let Me kiss you, First of the Gang... I love them all!! This by far, is indeed, some of Morrissey's great work!!

While an okay track is far from the best thing on the album.
Maybe if I was Mexican I would think differently.
We all know who's voting for this track, the same group who whine about Mexico not being included on the cd.

First of the Gang is definitely the stand out track of the album.... but i love the lush, textured sound of Let Me Kiss You, I'm Not Sorry, Jeebus, ect.

i don't know where the Dido reference comes from, i think the tracks have the same kind of sound as the last half of Tindersticks' 'Simple Pleasures,' which is a good thing. being compared to Dildo isn't.

Turn on your tv! Now! BBC 1!

It runs thus;

1. Crashing Bores
2. I Have Forgiven Jesus
3. You KNow I Couldn't Last
4. I'm Not Sorry
5. First of the Gang
6. Irish Blood, English Heart
7. I Like You
8. Let Me Kiss You
9. How Can Anybody Possibly Know how I Feel
10. Come Back to Camden
11. All the Lazy Dykes
12. America is not the World

And everything from #9 onwards is pure filler or utter rubbish. Or both.

This is mozz's best album to date! Its has a strong opening and closes like a gold album should.
His voice is great, using different tones than I have ever heard ( i miss his loud scretches though)
TFOTGTD is a good song, but took sometimes to sink in. considering its to his los angeles audience, I but no choice to place it in myh art. I am an Angeleno. Iagree with the previous post that this poll should be taken again in six months.
My top three
1. i'm not sorry
2. you know i couldn't last
3. I have forgiven jesus

The songs are nothing short of wonderful. But I am not that thrilled about the crispy clean production, or the synthesizers for that matter, which, as one reviewer said, come off sounding cheap at times. I prefer Moz in total rock out mode these days anyway. An album full of DMFODV's would have been fine with me!

The list:
1. The First of the Gang to Die
2. I Like You
3. Irish Blood, English Heart
4. The World is Full of Crashing Bores
5. I Have Forgiven Jesus
6. You Know I Couldn't Last
7. Come Back to Camden
8. no comment
9. no comment
10. no comment
11. no comment
12. America is not the World

1 great song, 2 good songs, 4 decent songs, 4 bad songs, 1 really, really bad song

Why does everyone seem to rate this song so lowly? I really love this track - it's a real slow burner with a catchy chorus to boot.
I Like You is probably my least favourite along with You Know I Couldn't Last.

...when opinion on the songs is this varied, you know you've got a great album. And that's exactly what it is.

I think that "HCAPKHIF" is without a doubt THE WORST song EVER written by Mozza. The lyrics, the music, the tempo... nothing matches and I pass it up everytime I play the album. Absolutely horrendous. The rest of the album is good but not Vauxhall good...

I really love I Have Forgiven Jesus, in its entirety. I already loved it 30 seconds into the performance on opening nite at The Wiltern, and it's even more beautiful on the album. This track really gets to me...But a second favourite?...probably Let Me Kiss You. Those are the tracks that bring a tear to my eye.

1. I'm Not Sorry
2. First Of The Gang To Die
3. Let Me Kiss You
4. Come Back To Camden
5. Irish Blood, English Heart
6. The World is Full of Crashing Bores
7. America Is Not The World
8. I Have Forgiven Jesus
9. You Know I Couldn't Last
10. How Can Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel?
11. I Like You
12. All The Lazy Dykes

1. you know i couldn't last
2. how can anybody possibly know how i feel?
3. i have forgiven jesus
4. i'm not sorry
5. the world if full of crashing bores
6. come back to camden
7. irish blood, english heart
8. the first of the gang to die
9. i like you
10. let me kiss you

Hey, This is not his best effort. The music was poorly structured for much of it. I love IHFJesus... Maybe the ones who don't like it weren't raised strict Roman Catholic. I could see them not digging it. "America" has a wonderful 10 seconds or so somewhere in it. The music in IBEH is kind of boring, that's why they made it so loud I think. Remember the Smiths only had one guitarist much of the time...He's got 2. Camden is measured and produced so carefully to bring out the its emotion ,I've heard a million songs that sound the same and I do not, and I do not, and I do not like it. "I'm not Sorry" is a breeze of cool air blowing by, that's about it. And I like the goddamn flute! Crashing Bores should have been faster, but I like it. HCAPKHIF should have been replaced by Hard to Walk Tall.... Then rewrite the lyrics. (Come to think of it...Rewrite all the lyrics!)"First of the Gang" is silly fun for 2 minutes...Some great lines. Some poor ones (Bullet in his Gullet ... Who says Gullet ?)Let me kiss you is descent fluff..Could do without the "Uhh Huhh Hooo" "All the Lazy Dykes" has possibly the guitar tracks, but hard to relate too, for most of his fans and him as well... Why does he not write so well anymore... Too rich Maybe ? "I like you" is okay, too bad the main line is "I Like You"... If it was "I Hate You"... It could've been his biggest hit to date. Finally "Couldn't Last" is a missed Opportunity, every time the music swells I expect some beautiful lyrics...Instead we get "CD's, T-Shirt's, Promos, God Knows...Ohh??" We wrote this song too fast " Substandard Speedway rip off. Don't get me wrong, I own every album and I love this mans music... I just wonder...can we really learn anything more from this man ?... I don't know.... Think I'll listen again and see.....................

is this really the most unloved song? i think it's charming. it's by no means the best, but it's a hypnotic waltz with a wonderful sentiment. for god sake, it's morrissey singing a coming out song!

Everyday I have a new favourite, it keeps changing but today it's this one. I have to say that I downloaded Don't Make Fun of Daddy's Voice yesterday and I really LOVE that song. It's so good, the guitars and Moz singing, it got me hard.

I see everybody has a different idea of what's best on this Quarry. The exception is of course ...Lazy Dykes and ...America...Songs, from the very first listen just keep one at a distance. Morrissey's songs usually become a very private pleasure in some way-You take what applies to you and throw the rest away, if anything. These two songs don't say anything to me about my life. Beware any DJ who play these tunes...

I heard my choice, "I'm Not Sorry" live at The Apollo on May 4, before I heard the studio version and, at least for me, first listens of songs I am not familiar with are sometimes difficult affairs. But this one instantly grabbed me for both lyrics and the music. I am glad to see that so far, according to the poll results, it has done the same for others who log in to david's labor of love here.

I love our man Mozz regardless of the ups or downs, but I have been listening to this new album, and I have no clue what the hell to make of it! Irish Blood and The First of the gang really are the best, though Come Back to Camden is quite charming. HOWEVER it seems to me 2 main points are being made. 1, TFOTGTD and IBEH are the best tracks by far, and everyone seems to be pining for another Vauxhaul. PEOPLE! There is only one Vauxhaul and I! Albums should not be compared.
On that note for 30 dollars (cnd) I will listen to this album until I swear by each song (minus America.. what the hell was that?! yikes Mozz, you know you are so much MORE than that!)
Do less lamenting ballads sweetheart, BELT SHIT OUT!!! *but god i still love you!!!*

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOZZ! Stay handsome and stay witty...as long as you stay!

Deb of the cuban cabaillo car squad.

It's amazing to see the variety of opinion here. People genuinely can't seem to decide if the new album is exciting, re-invigorated Moz, or sub-Maladjusted, poorly written crap. And both sides (minus the disposable comments from the extremes, it's hard to take over-the-top moz lovers or haters at face value) have valid points.

That said, i like the album, though the lyrics are clearly a step down from his previous best, his singing voice has improved tremendously. god, his voice can't possibly sound any better. as for which track is the best, "First of the gang" is the clear winner, it leaps off the CD and smacks you in the face the way no track from his last album did. it has *so much* life to it. also, "irish blood", "let me kiss you", "Camden", and "i like you" are unquestionably very, very good. "bores" is good but should be faster. "dykes" is fine, very much the "lazy sunbathers" of this album, i.e. a pleasing song that doesn't engender much love or hate. i thought "i'm not sorry" was breezy filler the first time i heard it, but reading these messages in rabid support of the song makes me want to go back for another listen. "america" and "you know i couldn't last" are slight misfires, but he's *taking chances* with them and that's important. the only clunker on the album, in my opinion, is "how could anybody..." great opening lines, but downhill from there. "hard to walk tall when you're small" could have, should have (?) replaced it. all in all, the album earns a 7/10 score at worst, 8/10 at best.
-ryan in d.c.

1. Viva Hate
2. Your Arsenal
3. Vauxall and I
4. You Are The Quarry
5. Kill Uncle
6. Maladjusted
7. Southpaw Grammar

Why is HCAPKHIF coming in for so much criticism? For me it's the best song on the album, and wipes the floor with FOTGTD which follows it. OK, lyrically its not so hot, but I keep repeating it over and over-and its the best to sing along to!

VERY early for a poll question like this, and I'm rusty. But "I Like You" is the track I return to again and again, as Morrissey's vocal is so perfectly passive-aggressive and cruel. The synthesizer move is a good one, and I think he should dive into this territory and take a chance - tracks like IBEH sound so familiar, and his recent break from the too-familiar "Billy Budd"/"Boy Racer" guitar sound is a wise choice. The Trip-Hop drums on track one are good as well.

I'm very happy with the production on this CD, and Morrissey's voice is his best since "Vauxhall." But, since we've waited so many years, I think Morrissey might resharpen his lyrics by staying busy and immediately returning to the studio for a follow-up. Staying (mostly) at home for 7 years didn't do anything for his creativity.

I am not sure what the animosity is against "All the Lazy Dykes." I see it as one of the highlights of the album, if not the best song lyrically. I can say I am a heterosexual male with no agenda, but it is a brilliant song about pursuing happiness. Women who are stuck in meaningless lives as Stepford Wives breaking free and finding solace in another segment of society. I don't think that sexual orientation has very much at all to do with the song - it is a song, in my opinion, about freedom.

Also, I say that "It's Hard to Walk Tall, When You're Small" would have been the best track on the album had it made the cut.

1. "Vauxhall"
2. "Your Arsenal"
3. "Viva Hate"
4. "Maladjusted"
Tied for Pathetic - "Southpaw Grammar" and "Kill Uncle"

Allright Clones, let me break it down for you:

IBEH - Strong first single and here's why; most people out there thought Morrissey was either retired or dead. No-one, except for the die-hards, was expecting to ever see this man again. All of a sudden, there is this song on the radio, vocals clear as day. Could it be? No. Was that? Yes. You're damn straight. Morrissey is back with a vengeance. Strong guitar riff, he's getting his message across. It grabs people's attention, it's a very political song. Nobody who is played on the major radio stations is trying to make statements like this. Strong song even stronger B-Sides (more on that later)

Come Back To Camden - This is a sentimental favorite. This is why we love Morrissey. This song is the sleeper hit, much like how Never Played Symphonies was the overwhelming favorite from the IBEH B-Sides. Throw in a little piano/keyboard action, and you got a decent lounge act ala Coldplay. Except this song actually means something.

The World Is Full... - One of the songs previously released on tour, a bit too polished up though. I enjoyed it much better live. This recording is too slow paced, perhaps overdone on the dramatic effect. They never could get a decent ending on this song. It bothered me then, it still bothers me now. Sounds like the boys gave up and just faded it out. If not for all these flaws, this would have been a strong contender for a third single.

How Could Anybody... - Superb lyrics for Morrissey at this stage in his career. "As sick as I am I would never be you". Just classic Morrissey. He mixed it up with the keyboard effects a little, and it does promote his newer sound, however, it is still acceptable.

The First of the Gang... - Obviously a tribute to his Mexican/American fans out here in So-Cal and WHY THE HELL SHOULDN'T HE? They have kept his career alive...at least out in California. His Latin fanbase have provided many of the sellout crowds in other parts of the Americas, and it just gets bigger. Moz, the ever wily businessman that he is, knows how to get over. Go with what works, and do your best to appreciate the fans who have stood by you all these years. There is also a considerably less-talked about homage to his favorite study: Organized Crime. He won't embrace Mariachis, Chivos, or Atlas. He's going to acknowledge in them, what he had acknowledged in England's criminal underbelly. His whole fascination with the Krays has evolved to a fascination with Mexican thugs, or Cholos, if you will. They are everywhere in LA, and I bet he passes through Boyle Heights every once in a while with his windows rolled up and driving 80 m.p.h. just to marvel at their shaven heads and tats once he's nice and cozy in his Hollywood Hills mansion sipping tea and chewing toast.

Let Me Kiss You - Once again, evidently newer material yet classic Morrissey lyrics.

I Like You - Not the most creative title, nevertheless, a strong song. Again, the band is having problems either starting a song or ending it. Fast paced yet somewhat mellow, if not for that clunky beginning. It's kind of like writing a strong essay with a fucked up introduction and conclusion. It may have been a single. Now its not even close.

You Know I Couldn't Last - Another one for the die hards. I'm surprised nobody likes it. This is what's cool about Morrissey right? Epic ballad...not quite 'I Know It's Gonna Happen Someday', perhaps a little dragging. Maybe if the band kept up variations of the chorus, it may have been along those lines. I don't care what any of you are saying now...When Moz performs this song live, you ALL will be going crazy!

America, Forgiven Jesus, I'm Not Sorry, Lazy Dykes - These songs are too out there. Totally different than what Moz has done before, he drifted too far from the nucleus which we are most familiar with. All these songs have one thing in common: The are too obvious. What was so fun about his earlier music career (up t

That I didn't buy the version with the DVD cos it really sucks! Anyway I like I'm Not Sorry the best what with the little woodwind bit at the end and all.
My stereo when put on random order likes All The Lazy Dykes but I'm not to keen.
Crashing Bores was my favourite of the new tracks when he played them live but I can't get used to it at that pace. Not to mention the edits of I Like You and Crashing Bores, damn those fade outs!
I also think It's Hard To Walk Tall... should've been on the album along with Mexico although obviously I'm in the minority on that!

Who the fuck is voting for I'm Not Sorry? According to this poll so far it's the second best song on the album! The arrangement is excruciatingly flat, dull and plodding, and the flute at the end is truly horrendous. The lyrics are not much to write home about either. Much of this album is musically so uninspired and bland, Moz deserves better than just a bunch of 'adequate' musicians... oh how I long for the magic of Marr...

but I tend to go against the grain of the prevailing opinions here. Por ejemplo, while I like "Dykes" I dislike (and will not apologize for hating) "I'm Not Sorry."

My other responses to the songs (addressing that which has also been discussed above):

America - As an American who despises what the Bu(ll)sh(it) regime is doing to the planet, I was very excited to hear this song since I agreed so much with the title. Unfortunately, aside from a few good lines (like the "steely-blue eyes" verse), the lyrics here are very juvenile, and not even in the funny way the morrissey can be juvenile sometimes when challenging the establishment (such as "she said 'eh I know you and you cannot sing - I said 'that's nothing, you should hear me play pi-ANo'" on "The Queen Is Dead"). Thought I agree with the title, the intent, and the sentiment, I find the words to be dissapointingly subpar for Moz.

IBEH - A strong single. Not much more to be said that hasn't already been said.

I Have Forgiven Jesus - Though when I first saw the title for this track I thought it would be a make-up song from Moz to his Latino lover, I was even more pleased when I discovered its true topic, ha ha (though the other (per)version would no doubt be titillating as well). I agree with the person who gets the chills during the chorus; in fact, when I first downloaded the 30 second sound clip for the song (which was the chorus), I kept it on repeat for half an hour, breathless at its beauty (yes, I'm a dork). My only qualm with this humorously overwrought melodrama is when he goes through his "Friday I'm In Love"-type list of the days of the week. I would only like this part if Moz said it was written only to goad Robert Smith.

Camden - Soap operatic loungecore. Still deciding on this one. Might be delightful, might be sickeningly saccharine and sappy. Time will tell.

I'm Not Sorry - And I'm not neither. I mean, where is the TUNE on this song?! It's just one chord progression (if you could call it that) endlessly looped. Plus, the lyrics seems pretty cliched and on the verge of being self-parody: "I can't believe this world is still turning" and "When will this tired heart stop beating" sound like lyrics I wrote when I was 13 and trying to copy the Smiths.

Crashing Bores - Faster please.

Possibly - Strangely, I really like this one. Musically, the interwoven guitar textures and the driving force of this song make it sound very Smithsy to me. Sure, the lyrics aren't subtle or clever, but they are very in your face and obvious in the same way that the "Your Arsenal" lyrics strike me. Plus, at the end, the "even I, as sick as I am, I would never be you" lyric seemingly talks back to the end of Speedway when he sings "in my own sick way I'll always be true to you." Which I think is kind of nifty.

FOTG - best song on the album. And I'm not Mexican. And the comment that only Mexicans are voting for this song was completely absurd. I appreciated those above who rebuked that claim and clued that person in to the fact that Moz has always idealized pretty petty thieves of all races and creeds.

Let Me Kiss You - Gorgeous song. The lyric isn't the greatest, but it's not bad at all. I think it is both beautiful and heartbreaking at the end how he lays it out: "But my heart is open to you." Lovely, that. As someone who's had all-too-many encounters with unrequited love, this song...well...sings to me. (awwwwww!)

Dykes - I LOVE this song. And I think it's quite possibly the best love song Morrissey has ever written. "Touch me, squeeze me, hold me too tightly, and when you look at me you actually see me. And I've never felt so alive in the whole of my life." Please don't tell me that, just because they're not gay females, people can't relate to these lyrics about freeing yourself of WHATEVER baggage you have in order to finally find love. Such a deliciously atmospheric track. "And at last your life begins" Yum.

I Like You - And I like "I Like Y

Vauxhall is not my favorite Morrissey album (Bona Drag is, followed by Viva Hate), but since the new one can't reach those earlier standards, I thought I'd line it up vs. Vauxhall track by track.

America/Now My Heart. Vauxhall by a mile.

Irish Blood/Spring-Heeled. Quarry by almost as much.

Jesus/Billy Budd. Quarry takes the lead, 2-1. (I always thought the melody to Billy Budd was second-rate)

Camden/Friends. The closest match-up, but Vauxhall ties it.

Sorry/The More You Ignore Me. After a close contest, the biggest rout. Vauxhall back in front.

Crashing/Find Out. Reasonably close, but we're all tied up.

How Can Anybody/Haunted. A plodding melody and weak lyrics cost Quarry on this one, despite some good moments. Vauxhall slips ahead.

First of the Gang/Lifeguard. A rout. Tied at four.

Kiss/Sweet Boy. A weak song vs. a strong one. Easy pick. Vauxhall back in front.

Lazy Dykes/Sunbathers. Another rout. Vauxhall clinches.

I Like You/Speedway. A valiant effort from Quarry, but Vauxhall pads its margin.

You Know I Couldn't Last narrows the gap at the end.

I think if he'd put The Never Played Symphonies on instead of Lazy Dykes, say...and either other single instead of Let Me Kiss You...this could have been very close.

His lyrics have really declined overall. These songs are catchy, but they don't save my life. Still, I love him -- only slightly less than I used to.

This is his best album in at 10 years. Vauxhall for me is his zenith. Having listened to YATQ at least a dozen times, I'm ready to share a few thoughts.
First off, his voice, is better than ever. Better than the early Smiths falsetto days (it can stay in tune consistently). It's generally more versatile than before. And for me, it is *the voice*.
As for the songs,
1. America Is Not The World-
A very heartfelt and sincere song, he doesn't need to include 'Wilde'isms here or word play, this is very direct, very meaningful and while not profound, and yes, very loving. 9/10
2. Irish Blood, English Heart
Catchy, and a perfect song to market YATQ on (First Of the Gang would also have worked). 8/10
3. I Have Forgiven Jesus
A nice song, I find the chorus doesn't fit terribly well musically. The days of the week analysis are nice. The buildup at the end is good. 8/10
4. Come Back to Camden
An absolutely beautiful meandering return for Moz to London. Image evoking and poignant, this song has some of the best music and singing on the album. 10/10
5. I'm Not Sorry
Fell in and then out of love with this song. It's a new concept for a Moz song, and he pulls it off. A bit of a mantra song at times. Nice relaxing mood. I actually thought the flute at the end worked seamlessly, and the words have near universal appeal. Good but not great. 7.5/10
6. The World is Full of Crashing Bores
I'm a bit indifferent about this one. The slower tempo dulled the rant a bit. 7/10
7. How Could Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel?
Basically how could anyone know him? I certainly don't. More uniformed person bashing, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I like the edge in the music, reminds a bit of Dagenham Dave in that sense. 7.5/10
8. The First of the Gang to Die
A lovely story to a cute tune. So catchy, it has to rank as amongst his most singable. It's in his comfort zone singing of LA rather than Manchester now. His best songs are about his home locales, and this is no exception. 9.5/10
9. Let Me Kiss You
This is almost an excellent song, I don't think there's enough build-up to make it so. Classic Moz in the physical lyric sense, the guitar reminds me of a few Smiths tunes. 8/10
10. All the Lazy Dykes
An average song here is still better than half of Maladjusted. The squiggle effects in this song are bit overkill though. Musically pleasant, the lyrical meaning can be in little doubt. 7/10
11. I Like You
I liked you more when I first heard a live version of you. But you don't hold up as well in the studio, and a bit of overproduction is evident, but not unlikeably so. But I still like you nonetheless. 7/10
12. You Know I Couldn't Last
He almost closes on a strong note. This is right there with Southpaw and Speedway in that sense. A schizophrenic verse/chorus relationship justifies the words nicely. And the falsetto squalor at the end, what can be said? 9.5/10

The final average is 8.1/10, which is of course quite meaningless, I think the cohesiveness of the album adds a bit to that score. Thank you Moz, this is better than Maladjusted and it ranks as one of your finest LPs.

Viva Hate Vs Quarry
Viva Hate Wins 7-5

America Is Not The World-Alsatian Cousin= 0-1
Irish Blood, English Heart-Little Man, What Now ?= 1-1
I Have Forgiven Jesus-Everyday Is Like Sunday= 2-1
Come Back To Camden-Bengali In Platforms=2-2
I'm Not Sorry-Angel, Angel, Down We Go Together=3-2
The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores-Late Night, Maudlin Street= 3-3
How Could Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel-Suedehead= 3-4
The First Of The Gang To Die-Break Up The Family= 3-5
Let Me Kiss You-The Ordinary Boys= 3-6
All The Lazy Dykes-I Don't Mind If You Forget Me=3-7
I Like You-Dial-A-Cliché= 4-7
You Know I Couldnt Last-Margaret On The Guillotine= 5-7

Kill Uncle Vs Quarry

Quarry Wins 8-4

America Is Not The World-Our Frank= 0-1
Irish Blood English Heart-Asian Rut= 1-1
I Have Forgiven Jesus-Sing Your Life= 1-2
Come Back To Camden-Mute Witness= 2-2
I'm Not Sorry-King Lear= 3-2
The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores-Found Found Found= 3-3
How Could Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel-Im driving Your Girlfriend Home=3-4
The First Of The Gang To Die-The Hars Truth Of The Camera Eye=4-4
Let Me Kiss You-The End Of The Family Line=5-4
All The Lazy Dykes-There's A Place In Hell For Me And My Friends=6-4
I Like You-7-4
You Know I Couldnt Last-8-4

Your Arsenal Vs Quarry
Your Arsenal Wins 9-3

America Is Not The World-You're Gonna Need Someone On Your Side= 0-1
Irish Blood English Heart-Glamorus Glue= 0-2
I Have Forgiven Jesus-We'll Let You Know= 0-3
Come Back To Camden-The National Front Disco= 0-4
I'm Not Sorry-Certain People I Know= 0-5
The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores-We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful= 0-6
How Could Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel-You're The One For Me, Fatty= 0-7
The First Of The Gang To Die-Seasick, Yet Still Docked= 1-7
Let Me Kiss You-I Know It's Gonna Happen Someday= 1-8
All The Lazy Dykes-Tomorrow=1-9
I Like You=2-9
You Know I Couldnt Last=3-9

Vauxall And I Vs Quarry
Vauxall And I wins 7-5

America Is Not The World-Now My Heart Is Full= 0-1
Irish Blood English Heart-Spring Heeled Jim= 1-1
I Have Forgiven Jesus-Billy Budd= 1-2
Come Back To Camden-Hold On To Your Friends= 1-3
I'm Not Sorry-The More you Ignore Me The Closer I Get= 1-4
The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores-Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself= 1-5
How Could Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel-I Am Hated For Loving= 1-6
The First Of The Gang To Die-Lifeguard Sleeping, Girl Drowning= 2-6
Let Me Kiss You-Used To Be A Sweet Boy=3-6
All The Lazy Dykes-The Lazy Sunbathers=4-6
I Like You-Speedway= 4-7
You Know I Couldnt Last= 5-7
 
Southpaw Grammar Vs Quarry
Tie 5-5

America Is Not The World-The Teachers Are Afraid Of The Pupils= 0-0
Irish Blood English Heart-Reader Meet Author= 0-1
I Have Forgiven Jesus-The Boy Racer= 0-2
Come Back To Camden-The Operation= 0-3
I'm Not Sorry-Dagenham Dave= 1-3
The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores-Do Your Best And Don't Worry= 1-4
How Could Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel-Best Friend On The Payroll= 1-5
The First Of The Gang To Die-Southpaw= 2-5
Let Me Kiss You= 3-5
All The Lazy Dykes= 3-5
I Like You= 4-5
You Know I Couldnt Last=5-5

Maladjusted Vs Quarry
Quarry Wins 8-7
America Is Not The World-Maladjusted= 0-1
Irish Blood English Heart-Alma Matters=1-2
I Have Forgiven Jesus-Ambitious Outsiders= 2-2
Come Back To Camden-Trouble Loves Me= 2-3
I'm Not Sorry-Papa Jack= 3-3
The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores-Ammunition=4-3
How Could Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel-Wide To Recieve= 4-4
The First Of The Gang To Die-Roys Keen= 5-5
Let Me Kiss You-He Cried= 5-6
All The Lazy Dykes-Sorrow Will Come In The End= 6-6
I Like You-Satan Rejected My Soul= 7-7
You Know I Couldnt Last= 8-7

I absolutely love "I Like You", it's my favorite song off the album...it's so...happy sounding. Quite wonderful coming from Morrissey!

Don't listen to the detractors of this little tune, they're just too wrapped up in his image as the "Pope of Mope" they can't wrap their minds around the idea that things might have changed a little bit.

Just a little bit.

bueno "irish blood english heart" es la mejor con diferencia. pero lo q yo quería era decir q estoy buscando a gente para compartir bungalow en el AVfestival, para ver a morrissey...... si alguien se anima, mi email es peyreffite arroba yahoo punto com.

listen to this album the better it gets. the only thing iwould change is the lyrics in the verses of 'I Have Forgiven Jesus' ["I was a good kid"]- they seem weak and non-sensical. the rest of the song is simply amazing lyrically- thats whats so vexing!

how can anybody possibly say they dont love songs like 'Come Back To Camden', 'Let Me Kiss You', 'All The Lazy Dykes' 'I Like You' or 'You Know I Couldn't Last'? the album is brilliant- one of Moz's best- making answering this poll extremely difficult. iwent with track12 tonight.

I know Morrissey would be extremely interested in my opinion, so please could someone at Sanctuary forward my track ranking to him. Thanks in advance.

1. I Have Forgiven Jesus
2. I Like You
3. Let Me Kiss You
4. First of the Gang...
5. The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores
6. Come Back To Camden
7. Irish Blood English Heart
8. You Know I Couldn't Last.
9. All The Lazy Dykes
10. I'm Not Sorry

-------- «==== my ipod threshold

11. How Could Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel
12. America Is Not The World

(PS: African now living in Asia, in case someone tries to red card me as an "overly sensitive American")

What i do think:

I have forgiven Jesus (killer lyrics and chorus)
Irish blood,... (starts growing on me again after having overplayed it)
It´s hard to walk tall when you´re small (excellent B-side, love the falsetto)
Let me kiss you (pretty)
How can anybody... (a grower, good pace)
Munich air disaster 1958 (fairly good B-side)
First of the gang... (too retro-poppy, some clever lyrics; "...and the very poor")
america... (over-produced, dull beats)
I´m not sorry (outdated beats, somewhat dull)
All the lazy... (lazy, bowie-ish ending is nice, though)
The world is full... (filler)
Come back to... (dull and loungey, worthy of some twat like Robbie Williams)
I like you (drum machine, dire chorus)
The never played symphonies (rightfully a B-side)
You know I couldn´t... (the only reeeally poor song on the album)

But my favorite Moz albums still are My Arsenal and Southpaw Grammar.

If I was going to introduce someone to Morrissey I would definitely hide this song and America is Not the World, too. The only reason I would even listen to these songs is the catchy melody.I'm just so desperately disappointed that this is the best he could come up with after so many years. I'm enjoying the other songs but at this point I don't have the nerve to say to someone: Would you like to listen to Morrissey's new recording.

Right, first of all, three things:

1. I am not American, i am English;
2. I dislike George W Bush;
3. I generally don't like 'stadium rock' (with which The Boss is sometimes wrongly associated)

But I do very much like Springsteen. Only a fool would suggest that Springsteen doesn't critque American society - in fact, I'd go so far to say that only someone who has never heard his songs would say this (and I mean REALLY heard, as opposed to catching 30 seconds of 'Dancing In The Dark' on the radio). The following list alone is proof enough:

'Dead Man Walking' - excellent acoustic song expressing anti-death penalty sentiments. Not exactly pro-estanlishment.

'Streets of Philadelphia' - this track is just totally superb. Empathises with AIDS victims who were persecuted by many in early 90s America. Again, hardly an establishment song.

'The Ghost Of Tom Joad' - excellent track - conjuring up the spirit of someone who was let down by the American dream - "the highway is alive tonight/ain't no-one kidding nobody about where it goes" - shattering that myth.

'The River' - again, someone who ends up in a dead-end situation and is trapped by outside forces - "got a job working construction for the Johnstown Company/But lately there aint been much work on account of the economy".

'My Hometown' - taking the idea of pride in one's hometown and subverting it by showing it to be a prison, a nowhere place.

'Racing In The Street' - more dead-end lives - people who think big but are in reality very small, trapped in miserable existences - "all her pretty dreams are torn/she stares up alone in to the night with the eyes of one who hates for just being born"

'The Promised Land' - critiquing that very notion in a very moving way.

There are SO many more examples. If you had heard the acoustic version of 'Born In The USA' you would never claim it was a patriotic anthem. I defy you to browse the above list and stick to your original arguments.

Springsteen is a superb analyst of American society and continues to be so ('American Skin (41 Shots)').I can't believe a supposedly intelligent Moz fan would make such a grave error.

I voted America because of its melody and theme. First of the Gang was its rival of course and I hope to God that its the next single. All together though the album couldve gone a bit further with Morrissey's new sound that was buzzing in his head all this time. Still, the best next to Viva Hate.

I like that song he sings that goes "IM SOO SORRY, OOOHHHOOOHHHOOOHHH, IM SO SORRYYYY...." I THINK its called Suede something...I hear it at clubs sometimes. Its cool

1) come back to camdem (his penny lane)
2) I have forgiven ( best melody, best production ...ever)
3)the world is full (so dynamic)
4)how can anybody ( best vocal performance from "even I, as sick as I am...)
5) you know i couldn't (beautiful piano)
6)all the lazy dykes (the well i wonder of the album . he sings exactly the same at the end)
7)the never played
8)i like you
9)i'm not sorry
10)irish blood (nice lyrics but the melody of boy racer)
11)america
12)first of (silly silly melody)
13)it's hard to walk
14)munich
15)let me kiss you (atrocious)

All the lazy dykes is no doubt the best song! It sounds a lot like 'Ive changed my plea to guilty'. His voice sounds amazing - the way he sings 'At last your life begins'... MMHmmMM! i'm surprised it's the song that people in here like the least... oh well...

I know it's all very exciting this Morrissey come back thing, but this is a truly disappointing return; it's as cold and calculating, as tired and free of surprises as anything Morrissey disdains. He said David Bowie just gives people what he thinks they want... but that's also an appropriate criticism of YATQ.

It's not as utterly dire as Southpaw Grammar or Kill Uncle, but it's no Vauxhall & I or Viva Hate, not by a long chalk.

Comeback to Camden has that arch, campy sentimental Anglophilia that I used to find so amusing in the Smiths and in Morrissey's better work. But FOTGTD is a dreadful song, absolutely crap in every way, laughable and sad at the same time. Remember Reader Meet Author... well here's Moz playing "Author". Yuk.

I think living in the Hollywood hills and hanging about with Nancy Sinatra has melted the old boy's brain. He seems to have become obssessed with the word love. 'Oh can't think of another line. I know, 'I love you/me/it/guinness/breasts/men's bums.' The album is catchy, but ultimately lame. The person who said it lacked soul was onto something. I don't know though, maybe it's just a slow burner. Or maybe it's all just smoke and mirrors? How much more can a millionaire recluse tell us?
    'I looked at my navel today/ The fluff in it was dark blue/Does that mean I must go away?/ But I love you.'
The remarkable chorus from the upcoming single 'If You Think My House Is Big, You Should See The One Round The Corner [I Love It And I Wish It Was Mine]
Or maybe we will be entertained with eulogies about bone china teapots or the best shop to buy baroque antiques. I can see the track listing now..
1. If You Think...
2. The Domestic Servants Stealing My Tea Bags Really Do Love Me
3. I'd Love To Live In Manchester Again, But I Quite Like Being A Tax Exile
4. Mike Joyce You Are A Bastard But God You Still Love Me
5. I Don't Eat Animals Although If I Was Chocolate I Would Eat Myself And Love It
6. I'd Love To Be Poor Again In My Dreams
7. The World Is Full Of Potential Fans To Love Me
8. Most People Are Slightly Less Interesting Than Me, But I Will Let Them Love Me Anyway
9. Loving You Means Not Having To Queue In Shops When You Could Just As Easily Do It For Me
10. Journalist And The Music Companies All Love Me But I Don't Care I Am Going To Be A Hermit And Live In A Hole

This album... it is clearly an EP, which could have been entitled 'How Could Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel?' and should have contained, in the precise order it actually has: I'm Not Sorry, The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores, How Could Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel?, The First Of The Gang To Die. Extra tracks (for the japanese edition, for example): Let Me Kiss You and I Like You.

It is a pleasure to have Morrissey back and, wich is not surprisingly for me, in his highest skills. Thank you Man for staying beside us.

Take care,

Finally...Morrissey's new album is out! And I love it!

Personally, it's not the typical Morrissey album. As a matter of fact, I feel that it is the most unMorrissey like album ever released. I think the change is good. And to me this album is very good.

I bought the cd first thing last tuesday, and have been playing it ever since in my car (on repeat, might I add) and sing along and what not. I was asking my wife (who is also a HUGE MOZ fan), "how long before the next album??" And of course she said ..."hopefully soon" , and I said "he owes us a few more albums...7 years of catching up to do!"

Seeya!

"I'm Not Sorry" is my clear winner here.However,if they had included the B-sides in this list my EASY pick would be "...Symphonies"

I like listening to the entire album, in squential order, just as Moz and the band intended.

There are different moments in the album, that inspire more emotion than others, but together, as a complete cell, the album is fabulous.

after a few listens first in the gang gets almost ploddy like a mediocre track off your arsenal.
whereas songs like bores, jesus, america, let me kiss u, sorry , i like u, just keep growing with every listen.

on most previous albums by mozz
theres always a track or 2 i skip, aside from viva hate,
even on vauxhall, u had spring heeled............
the only track i think is poor here is dykes.
replace that with walk tall and its a classic............

i reckon i like u will be the third and final single off the quarry..........................

Has it occured to anyone that perhaps Morrissey has only decided to forgive Jesus since Satan rejected his soul?

While not one of the best tracks on the cd, the guitar interlude on "Let Me Kiss You" makes me achingly nostalgic for the Smiths. It's so Marr-esque it hurts.

I can't understand the dykes bashing here

I like this song a lot and can easily admit that someone else thniks it's weaker than some others but even "worse" than America is not, you've got to be joking

It's fast joyful, and the opening line is one of the catchiest Morrissey ever wrote (and that means a lot). On the whole, the album isn't bad, but it's just very slow. I guess Mozza is just getting old...

Look at the top three lp's in most of our lists.

Viva Hate - The Scene - Inspired by a major event, the breakup of the Smiths and the loss of his closest friend.

Your Arsenal - The Scene - Mick Ronson is in the house, again Morrissey lifts himself to meet the challenge of working with one of his idols

Vauxhall - The Scene - Three deaths, saying goodbye to the past, more isolated than ever, dealing with his father and being able to speak with Marr again. Ther Result, a massive emotional release

YATQ - The Scene - A comfortable, loved, respected, middle aged man being called an Icon, very few vocal detractors now, a court case maybe (like we need more songs about that though) and a rich lifestyle of jetting between LA, London and Manchester. What's left to stir the man to rip your heart out of your chest and send it soaring into space?

He's no longer 'sick and ill today' (emotionally) and so inevitably the output suffers.

And it took almost a week. i voted for I'm not Sorry.

Maybe i'm off on my reason for liking it so much, but it definitely has a Break Up The Family air to it, which is one of my favorite Morrissey-Solo songs.

I choose First Of The Gang... simply because it's OK. Nothing special. But OK, nothing special is all we ever get from Morrissey. Every album since Your Arsenal has had too many gaping holes in it and an incredible lack of imagination. There are maybe two quite good songs on this album (First of The Gang & Irish Blood) but no more than that. Don't listen to other posters on here who think you're being negative if you think the album's crap. The truth remains: it's a crap album. You just expect more from Morrissey than some other people. I just remember how great and revolutionary he once was. If You Are The Quarry was his first album NO-ONE WOULD LISTEN TO IT: FACT! Luckily, his first four albums ever were masterpieces, he even managed a couple of early great solo albums too, but he's set in his very dull ways now. I think most people would agree that this album marked Morrissey's last chance at being a legend. Oh well. He screwed that up, didn't he?

By the way, I should point out that It's Hard To Walk Tall and Never Played Symphonies are far superior to anything on the album. Why does he do this? Idiot.

I agree with the poll.
I really was expecting more songs off this album to be along the lines of First of the Gang To Die, atleast musically. I love those Morrissey pop songs if you will.

I too am unsure how i feel about I Know I Couldnt Last.

I have been a Morrissey fan since I was 16 in 1996. Just in time to capture me completely, Maladjusted came out in 1997. Since then, there's My Early Burglary Years and now this. I've seen Morrissey perform many times and he's always captured the part of me that lives for music.

Lyrically, Morrissey is a poet. His lyrics are so clever and witty, he can make me cry and laugh in a single song. You are the Quarry is everything I expected it to be. Genious. It's the most personal Morrissey album I've heard. It was hard for me to choose between "I'm Not Sorry" and "You Know I Couldn't Last" both songs tell me so much about Morrissey that they scare me.

Anyone get the feeling from You Know I Couldn't Last that we're near the end here. That pretty soon, Morrissey will just spen his time on beach somwhere collecting royalties? I know he probably can't stop from writing but perhaps it won't be for us anymore. I don't know. It just struck me as odd. It's such a magnificent song. Anyone else feel this way?

t

... and I must recind some of the more negative comments I've posted. It certainly isn't his finest work, but this album is one that must grow on you. Yes, it feels a little tired and old, and I still cannot forgive the lyrical lameness of "America"... but tracks 3-8 are a good effort and I like them more each time around. Present still is the classic Morrissey wit we all yearn for (though not as prevalent as I would like), and his voice still captures me. I find it odd that this is the album he is getting the most praise and attention for. Surely "Your Arsenal" and "Vauxhall" had much more potential for going mainstream. However, I'm pleased to see that our old chap is still at it and I hope that "You Know I Couldn't Last" is not our final farewell.

I guess I was looking for some sign of 'maturity' from Moz. Less finger pointing and judgmental cracks and more of a sort of aging grace (like Peter Gabriel's latest CD).

The lyrics to my ears sound like Moz is still hung up on his detractors and the court case, and stuff like that. But everyone who exists has detractors. Why go on and on about it?? It makes him sound kind of bitter and childish.

For me now the real joy is hearing Mozzer sing. I still love his voice and when the melody is sharp ("Gang", "I'm Not Sorry") I'm still very moved. But not so much by the lyrics - just the beauty of the vocals.

Top 3 - Awesome!!!

The World is Full of Crashing Bores
First of the Gang to Die
I Like You
________
Middle 7 are all equally good
________
Irish Blood, English Heart
You Know I Couldn't Last
I'm Not Sorry
Come Back to Camden
Let Me Kiss You
I Have Forgiven Jesus
America is not the World
 
_______

Crap 2 - Skip these
________
How Could Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel?
All The Lazy Dykes

Mozzer Rule: Any song with Lazy in the title is generally crap - recall The Lazy Sunbathers (worse song on Vauxhall and I.)

First time I listened to 'You Know I Couldn't Last' I thought it was rubbish, it just really irritated me the way the verse and chorus contrasted. By the second time of listening I was hooked though.

The anger and bile, achieved with so few words is astounding.

'Northern Leeches' - got to be a reference to Mike Joyce hasn't it??? Seeing as it is plural, who else is Moz calling a Northern Leech?

'Evil Leagle Eagles' - aliteration and a bit of rhyming and adding the word 'evil' is an excellent addition to the old stock phrase!

'Accounants Rampant' - I might be reading too much into this, but it keeps me interested, but seeing as Moz mentions 'Eagles' and then chucks in the word 'rampant' that has got to be Moz playing with a bit of 'Heraldic Symbology' just for laughs hasn't it?

So as far as I am concerned, lots of word games within a song which packs a massive punch. This song deserves wider appreciation!

This album is truly a celebration of Morrissey’s voice. The song arrangements and the complexity of the lyrics are toned down so as to give room for that truly beautiful voice.

From the beginning, where he sings about

“the land of the Free and of opportunity
in a Just and a Truthful way
but where the President is never black
or female or gay”

to the end where

”blue eyes are gelignite
loaded and aiming right between your eyes”

Truly wonderful!

OA

I've just taken the time to read nearly all of these comments on Morrissey's latest songs/abilities as a lyricist and all I can say is, we, as Morrissey fans, are extremely lucky that 1) there is a new Morrissey album at all and b) that he hasn't decided to pack it all in. Some don't realise how close he actually came.

Of course everyone will have his or her own favourites and that is natural and those opinions cannot be denied. But to say that Morrissey has lost his abilities as a songwriter or more closely to point, as a lyricist, is absolute nonsense. There are few in this world who can measure up in terms of consistency, emotion, humour and style and the quoted senior NME writer is justifiably correct in saying what he did. Morrissey stands alone. Period. And let's not hear the Dylan/Lennon argument because neither of those two were consistent some one song to the next, much less for an entire career.

I am not saying that he is infallible or beyond reproach and I am not blind to his shortcomings as he is human too, but we must also remember that until the day any one of us can do what he can, then I think best we sit back and enjoy this extraordinary ride for what it is.

Let us all agree that we comment here because we care and are united by Morrissey and his lyrics, his style and his grace but let us also agree that we are truly lucky that such an individual was there to touch our lives when we needed him most. So let's not pretend him to be redundant now that we are all older and hopefully wiser. Let he who has ears...

And lastly to those who think for one moment that the inclusion of Johnny Marr would make all the difference in the world, I suggest you wake up from your dream world and look at the cold, hard facts. Since the demise of the Smiths, Marr has done little to enhance his reputation as a songwriter and has actually gone in the complete and opposite direction so much so that if it isn't crystal clear now, history will show that it was he who desperately needed Morrissey and not the other way around.

The bashing of Maladjusted confuses me. With songs like "Alma Matters," the title track, "Ammunition," "Trouble Loves Me," and "Roy's Keen" it isn't a bad album at all, extremely charming, some of it among his best solo or at least late-period work.

In the poll I voted for Come Back to Camden for its gorgeousness, but America Is Not The World has also been sticking in my head for some reason...I think it features his best singing on the album. The lyrics are pretty dumb - At first, I almost cringed (or I might've actually done it) but then I adjusted to them - it isn't a completely blunt attack on America, it picks up Morrissey's pet issue of vegetarianism (I don't want the pun either). Then, it includes his sense of isolation while in America ("For haven't you me with you now?" or "This heart deep and true/Which you say you don't need") which can be extended as a metaphor into the same themes throughout his catalogue. The singing functions like the guitars in "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others" - so gorgeous you couldn't sing it too emotionally without it being maudlin.

-maudlin moz

It has to be "Let me Kiss you" since its the one that has good lyrics, most of the others are so disappointing :(

Very good....I have been listening to moz since 1985. I really like the album, and I thought it really had a feel of it's own. A few observations...Of course like everyone else the Gang and IBEH certainly carry a nice torch to the masses and to us more longer term fans. But I suddenly was having flashback to Viva Hate when I heard I am not sorry. I don't know why, but it seemed to have a tempo and mood at some basic level took me right back to the days of me driving around listening to viva hate sometimes exclusively for days on end....Am I the only one that got that vibe from that particular song?

I am not suggesting the style is the same, but something...either the depth of the sound, or the tempo....I can't quite put my finger on it...

PS..the flutes at the end are an amazing touch..

...who doesn't think First Of The Gang is all that great? I like the song, but I'm surprised people think it's the best on the album. I've read posts claiming it sounds the most like classic Morrissey, but I think that' s my problem. It has a been there, done that feel to it. It's a good song, one of my favorites on the album, but I'm not sure what all the fuss is about.

your leg came to rest against mine
Then you lounged with knees up and apart
and me and my heart, we knew,we just knew..forevermore.

Surely his most heart-breakingly romantic declaration since

If they dare touch a hair on your head
I'll fight to the last breath

Uh I don't think you can blame "the yanks" for not liking this song. I am from London and i think its rubbish too. The melody goes nowhere, the lyrics are quite stupid and it is easily the poorest choice for an opening track that Moz has ever had. It opens with a whimper. IBEH would have been a MUCH better opening song. Overall I love the album though.

I am American and I am highly critical of this country...BELIEVE me!(Michael Moore is my hero!)

The reason I hate the song has nothing to do with Moz criticizing this country. My complaint is that he does a lousy,shallow job of it! I invite biting, harsh criticism and America is Not the World does not cut it... I like the title, but beyond that it is weak.

Please do not assume that because some of us Americans do not like the song it is because we are offended...that is the furthest thing from the truth (for me anyway).

It's a nice enough melody, but the lyrics are cringeworthy. I think he should stay out of politics, to be honest. And Springsteen is not "patriotic drivel". You've obviously never read his lyrics. Even "Born in the USA" is about a Vietnam vet who returns home to find there is no work for him. Pick up the Nebraska album to get some real insight on American society.

I agree, I think the lyrics to thsi song are excellent, and cannot understand how people dont get how worthy they are -

"Steely-blue eyes / with no love in them
scan the world
and a humourless smile
with no warmth within
greets the world"

This so wonderfully encapsulates how many people feel, as is a brave and important statement

the comments are not about an entire population. They are addressed specifically to those who criticise the lyrics of this song. i didnt mention morrisseys criticism of the UK political system, as I think that is equally valid. I was satirising the negative response of americans to criticism of their country, surely thats obvious

It's Springsteen, not Springstein/

First, the song is rubbish because...ummm...it's just a bad song. Fat, fat, fat is hardly "intelligent criticism..." And Springsteen, for the record, is far more critical of the US than Morrissey ever has been.

America as "the most deeply stratified nation on earth" is laughable. Been to ENGLAND recently? Or how about India? Brazil? Mexico? Should I continue?

If you think springsteen is not critical of the united states than you are a fucking idiot. Plain and simple, a fucking idiot. Why don't you get your facts straight before you go spouting off uninformed bullshit statements. And if you expect to be taken seriously you could at least learn how to spell his name properly. You fucking moron.