Interesting?
I got viva hate in 1988 and it was on cassette and it changed the face of music for me and many people.
Coming so close after the premature and sudden end of the greatest band (ever in my lifetime) after the end of The Smiths, even if it's release was brought forward by the hounds at EMI, the release of viva hate did still mark an amazing transformation. It showed that Morrissey. was world class. Forget Street. Morrissey really stood up and released something that no one could have thought possible, whilst the other members of the old band, just took one look at EMI. and ran away, basically. That's the truth. That was a big contract and the others did nothing.
Quite funny that - today of all days - viva hate was finished just before Xmas eve 1987.
Viva Hate is good but YATQ then ROTT and then YOR. are much better written and produced. Visconti did a fantastic job in Rome. I think he holds the key to the future sound. As the band just record so well with his style and Boz's talent and Morrissey's genius.
But back in 1988, viva hate was one cassette that helped to reform indie pop music forever. And Morrissey - as we all know - has moved on to bigger and better things. Whilst the former members of the Smiths, good as they were individually some 20years ago, have contributed nothing of note to the musical world since 1987.
Merry Xmas to you all
X