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Morrissey and why music still matters

Mon, 16 Feb 2009

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A few weeks ago, the latest long player from Morrissey, late of The Smiths, one of the four bands that ever really mattered, leaked on the Internet.

Those expecting a rush of fan-enthused quick fire reviews for ‘Years of Refusal’, scattered across blogs and forums, may have been surprised to see ardent Morrissey fans willing to wait patiently for the official release date rather than a quick illicit listen.

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In a world where an MP3 can end in the Trash before a song is sung it’s a rare show of loyalty from a fan base that shows no sign of abandoning him as Morrissey enters his fiftieth year.

Morrissey still matters, to some at least, and that matters to anyone who still sees music as life enhancing and not simply a life style accessory.

I’m old enough to remember when music mattered to many, when holding a record to your heart like a badge of youth was an essential part of that blur between being a child and becoming an adult.

Back then the only way to own music for free was to steal it, not online but instore, or more likely and legal, tape it off the radio, praying that DJ babble wouldn't ruin your quick handed cassette pause technique.

The late great John Peel regularly left pauses long enough to press pause and make a cup of tea.

Anticipation for a new black slab of vinyl, a new cover to paw over, would build over weeks fueled by the few radio shows that played the music that really mattered.

Wandering down Bold Street, Liverpool, in the mid 1980’s, I remember bumping into a friend proudly displaying the then latest single from The Smiths, bought for safe measure on 12“, 7” and cassette single.

For some of us, it was a chance to hear songs, B-sides and bonus 12“ tracks particularly, for the first time.

It was a period when bands like The Smiths and New Order regularly released singles that weren’t on albums and record companies didn’t see singles simply as a promotional tool to generate albums sales.

I mention all this not simply out of nostalgia but to try and make a point. And the point is with so much music available at your fingertips, and much of it available to cherry pick from Apple’s iTunes store, one track at a time, it’s good to see Morrissey fans counting the weeks, days and hours down to an actual release and embracing a set of songs rather than single tracks.

Morrissey, seemingly in union with his supporters, recently told Germany’s Der Spiegel that growing up music was more precious, more important and vital.

Despite owning several computers Morrissey confirmed he didn’t have an iPod or had ever downloaded music from the Internet. Listening to music on a computer was not for him.

With music omnipresent and effectively to be found for free, Morrissey argued passionately that music as a culture has been deprived of its value, and lost its cultural meaning.

Despite Morrissey’s lament, holding a uniformed collection of songs in your hands, good and bad, essential and filler, designed to be listened to from start to finish, sequenced to build mood and show contrast, that requires the listener’s attention, can still thrill.

You should try it.

(Years Of Refusal by Morrissey is out today, Monday 16 February 2009, on Decca records in the UK, and Lost Highway in the US tomorrow. It’s available on iTunes, on CD, Limited Edition CD and vinyl.)

Posted by: Nick Spence

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Comments received


Daisy said on Tuesday, 17 February 2009

All true. Plus it's not possible to get an mp3 signed by the muscians, the way you can with an album of music, preferably LP sized.

savo said on Thursday, 19 February 2009

I belong to this generation and at the end of the day it is all rubbish.

Music, although a huge part of my life is no longer vital. I unashamedly used my ipod for all of my music, good or bad.

It is great to follow a band, buy all of their stuff, and the rest, but at the end of the day, they are human and they let you down.

Today's listening habits are better. You no longer have to listen to a 12 track album that the band slaved over to find out you like less than 60% - 75% but the band would like you to feel guilty because it is meant to be seen as a whole experience.

it is no secret that for every 12 track album maybe 20 or so tracks were recorded and some were rejected. The concept album is dead I want to sample any artist I choose and if they don't like it, then who am I to care?

Savo

Martin said on Thursday, 19 February 2009

Well said that man, although my vinyl is long gone, I had all the Smiths albums on Rough Trade. Moz fans are a good bunch, they have passion, still willing to give the whole output a listen. Moz for instance puts a lot of very very good songs on the b side. The new one, Years Of Refusal cost me £6 on cd on-line, so it is cheaper iTunes and if I don't like it I can give it to somone, sell it or take it to the local charity shop for cats which I am sure Moz would appreciate. Cheers!

Mark said on Thursday, 19 February 2009

Well done...good article, well written.

I agree entirely with what you say about owning a 'collection' of songs rather than individual, downloaded tracks. It's one of the things that makes the great albums 'great'. For example, few people would choose to download Within Without You but it works perfectly as the opening track on Side 2 of Pepper, particularly as it is followed by its complete opposite, When Im 64. There are thousands of examples like this.

Even a bit of filler helps - when the track that follows it as a belter.

Andrew Baker said on Thursday, 19 February 2009

A lovely piece, which begs the question: if The Smiths are one of the four bands that ever really mattered, who then are the other three? Surely the Beatles, but thereafter it's a fierce battle. Hermans's Hermits, anyone? Who are you thinking of, Nick?

Nick said on Thursday, 19 February 2009

Thanks Andy, the answer is coming later in a new blog...

Andrew Baker said on Saturday, 21 February 2009

Thanks, I can think of more than four. Mmmmm.

Ray said on Saturday, 21 February 2009

Good passionate read but have to add that Moz IMHO has made a poor new CD, about half good, half poor tracks, compar with TQID or even HFOH Moz has lost some of his genius over the solo years.


I think Moz still play vinyl, a lot of favourite tunes are only on vinyl I think, 60s girl groups etc. Not everything is on CD.

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