Morrissey has come a long way since his days with The Smiths. ‘This Charming Man’ has become a little, wellÔǪ cranky. As an artist who is known for having an (often controversial) opinion on anything and everything, itÔÇÖs not an entirely unexpected evolution.

Morrissey has never been one to shy away from political comment, but it becomes harder to take seriously when he comments on everything from the Israeli/Palestinian conflict to British democracy in musical form, all from the comfort of his Hollywood mansion (naturally).

From MorrisseyÔÇÖs position as ÔÇÿthe troll of musicÔÇÖ, this album sits comfortably amongst the most bizarre of his musical offerings. But at times, it isnÔÇÖt even good music. The opener ÔÇÿMy Love, IÔÇÖd Do Anything for YouÔÇÖ offers an abundance of feedback, jarring brass and ugly guitar, all accompanied by human screams and cries ÔÇô just a sample of the inconsistent chaos to follow. To make matters worse, on second listening it becomes apparently obvious which songs are released as singles ÔÇô the production on them is miles ahead of other tracks on the album. Tracks 1-5 are the most palatable to listen to. But take care from then on it getsÔǪ weird.

From controversial to downright nasty, ÔÇÿI Bury the LivingÔÇÖ offers a sneering condescension that is completely off-putting: at 7 minutes long, the song is a bitter diatribe against servicemen that is entirely devoid of all empathy. In MorrisseyÔÇÖs mind, ÔÇÿa hatred of all humanityÔÇÖ is the only plausible reason to join the army, and this offering does little but tell the story of a soldier killed in action from a bitter perspective ÔÇô even going to far as to mock his bereaved mother. Lyrically, it is often clunky ÔÇô mostly owing to a disjointed melodic line and almost no linguistic grace.

There are however, moments of lyrical mastery; albeit brief lines sprinkled throughout the album.

Even MorrisseyÔÇÖs ballads have lost their appeal ÔÇô a far cry the honest longing of ÔÇÿAsleepÔÇÖ – and seem to border on stalker-like. When he sings ÔÇÿI just want my face in your lapÔÇÖ or ÔÇÿwill you wrap your legs around my head to greet me?ÔÇÖ, the delivery is almost disturbing; more like the unwanted advances of a creepy old man than the blunt declaration of affection it may have been intended as.

From simply feeling a little disjointed, to songs that even beg the question as to why they made it onto the album in the first place; lack of coherency is this albumÔÇÖs ultimate downfall, and there appears to be no story or even theme to connect the songs. Unless you count his alternating comments on crotches/politics.

Lottie Ellis

All views are views of the writer and not Quench’s or Cardiff Student Media’s.