A Very Unbiased (Of Course) Review of Morrissey's Latest Single

[commonpeople1]

Morrissey, I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris, 2009
I confess that I wasn't too keen on this single the first time I heard it (despite a cute video where Morrissey is surrounded by sulky rockabilly musicians and offers his tambourine to an indifferent french bulldog.) Its lyrics are throwaway easy, its arrangement nothing to shout about - it's not trying to burrow into your head from the get go like so many pop songs these days.

But it grows with every listen and feels quintessentially "him" - the sort of record that fits into any period of his career. It's a melodic pop song in the mold of the many from the 60s Morrissey has been defending since he was in The Smiths, where (as usual) he announces some dramatic decision (in this case, his embrace of the City of Lights) because love has deserted him. Shame is the Name, the b-side, is a nice little gem too. Lyrically, it revisits the familiar territory of broken homes and lost youth that he's always been fascinated with, with backing vocals by long-time friend and Pretenders front woman Chrissie Hynde.

Comments

[idioticpoet.livejournal.com]

have you read any good poetry lately?

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Ma-ma-maybe?

[idioticpoet.livejournal.com]

yes, i saw that....not too sure how to interpret my chapbooks placement on yer bedstand...did it put you to sleep? also, it needs to be said, i do a li'l light reading before bed too. ;)

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Haha... books that go to my bedside table are the ones I'm currently reading. :-)

[olamina.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this. I was afraid to come out of the shadows and say that this song has also grown on me!

Gotta get the new one today!

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Just got the new one (deluxe version) *baffled*

I thought of you when I got the single because I remembered you saying that you had already been listening to the tracks. This single is truly a grower and is probably up there with "Everyday" and "Suedehead" in terms of catchy melody.

[olamina.livejournal.com]

oh you've got me confused with someone else. i'm not cool music biz girl anymore, i've not yet listened to the new tracks at all!

[olamina.livejournal.com]

i see there is a special deal to get the album for $3.99 off of amazon mp3. i think i'll go ahead and do that instead of the illegal download though. i'm gonna miss moz by four days in berlin in june, so i gotta throw something into moz's pension fund, eh?

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I paid 17.99 for the deluxe Cd... I somehow don't think he'll be dying in the gutter. ;-)

[olamina.livejournal.com]

Not if Ollie's Devotion holds steadfast! You will nurse our dear lad Steven Patrick lo' til his dyin' days. I salute you, good man.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

In the exchange over at Facebook! Maybe I read too much into your comments. :-)

[olamina.livejournal.com]

oh i meant i already have my favorite Morrissey songs of all time. sorry for the confusion. i don't think any of the songs on this on gonna make make it into my personal Greatest, but it's hard to say, I do have a coupla jamz on Ringleader (Pigsty, You Have Killed Me, I Will See You)

[purplethings.livejournal.com]

offers his tamborine to an indifferent french bulldog

I think he wins just for this :D

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I thinks so too. ;-)

[zenithed.livejournal.com]

I totally agree - I was a bit underwhelmed at first but now I give a little cheer every time it comes on the radio. Looking forward to picking up the new album.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Am listening to the new album right now... what a box of surprises!