Vauxhall And I

Alright, alright, fine! Just stuff me with vegetables and fuck me already. Fuckin' Morrissey just won't give up until he's got a parsnip up my ass and is greasing up his penis and waving it in my cabbage filled face.

Seriously, fuck this guy.

I have somehow managed to never listen to The Smiths or Morrissey in my life. I really liked this album. It’s really good! Morrissey’s politics, on the other hand 😬. Yikes.

MOZZA!! He's such a prick. I can't emphasise that enough. But this is a great album both lyrically and muscially. Its still not as good as the Smiths though. 4/5

You know you’re in for a dud when the Wikipedia entry is pretty much “ya this album existed”

don't care + didn't ask + you lost your dynamic after the smiths

Why is he so sad?

twat

Just being very clear that giving 1992 Morrissey 5 stars in no way condones 2023 Morrissey. I wonder if he can remember the person that produced this charming, knowing, clever album ?

First up: Mozza 2023 is a knob. Mozza 1994 was a different man. His masterful lyrics flow through each track. The More You Ignore Me remains infectious. This is a great, great break up album. It's still a little raw for me, almost 30 years later. There's a ray of hope from the old bigot with The Lazy Sunbathers. Lyrics on ecological issues didn't get you NME covers back in the day. It still stacks up. A reluctant five stars.

The guy is a fucking prick, but he makes great music. 4/5

Now My Heart Is Full - Pretty generic rock thus far, I think it had some bearings on future Coldplay releases? I can hear a lot of 90s. It's definitely not my favourite track. It is a bit catchy. Morrissey's voice is as smooth as ever, though. Not impressed by the guitars, can do a lot better. Springed-Hill Jim - The bass. The bass. I like it. Using samplers. This is Morrissey more like you've heard in the Smiths. This rocks more. I like the sampling. I like how it fits within the narrative of the song. The man is obviously a whore. Billy Budd - Rocking backtrack. I like it. The guitar is kind of psychedelic, very Hendrix-y. But it's overshadowed a bit by Morrissey's voice. Definitely my favourite song so far. Is this song a reference to the novel? Hold On To Your Friends - Nice little melody, I guess. I think this is going to a ballad. Social commentary on capitalism and happiness? Meh.... a bit hypocritical . The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get - I can fuck with this instrumental. I like it. It's.... Unique. A lot of repetition of lyrics throughout the album, especially regarding time. I like this track-- But it feels like Morrissey is just Morrissey. And Morrissey is a controversial figure. I can sort of hear a Pixies-like... Parallel. The distortion of the guitars are a treat and I feel like the instrumentals are what shines on this album and Morrissey could be removed, I'd enjoy these songs more. Why Don't You Find Out for Yourself - A groovy little piece. It's nothing extraordinary but it does its job. The commentary continues through the album through repeated imagery and lyricism. It has a recurring theme of death and loss and acceptance of death and loss. I Am Hated for Lovin - I like the instrumentals a lot. It's a good song, I'd heard it before. I don't know what else to say. It is kind of devoid of the usual rock and forced "agony" for lack of better words of the Smiths, it feels like a very very bittersweet goodbye. May be acceptance is really the recurring theme and motif of the album? He just doesn't belong, he doesn't have many friends... Morrissey needs a psychiatrist and a therapist, not to release albums. This feels more and more like a suicide note. Lifeguard Sleeping, Girl Drowning - Oh, I love the instrumentals. This is baroque rock. This is very worrying, as worrying as it is pretty. The poor girl didn't deserve to drown, what is Morrissey on about? This is a real album with a theme of accepting loss and death. Makes me want to read into his mind state when writing this. But the instrumental shines and even his vocals and his vocal delivery is very different. "Please don't worry..." Yeah, suicide notes have been written to sound happier than this album. This album will kill the mood if you play it during sex. The girl at the end is literally being silenced by the cymbals... She died. Used to Be a Sweet Boy - This is a pretty decent song, I guess? But very samey... Which is a problem with this album. Something went wrong? And he's not to blame. Is that his relationship with his father? I feel like I should have some context for this album, far more than is provided. Otherwise, we don't feel the "pathos" or the "acceptance" as much if we are not already initiated to Morrissey. The background vocals are amazing though, very angelic choir-like. Is Morrissey talking about himself dying or having died and being an angel now? The Lazy Sunbathers - World War? I'm sorry... I don't get this one. War is bad, I guess? But he seems like he's accepting it. This album in general is grim. It's a bit of a kill-mood, it makes you feel a bit depressed. And if that's you want, then sure, this album is for you-- All of you weird folks out there. Speedway - Oh, this song is faster. Chainsaw massacre? This is odd... Definitely cool but very grim very very very grim. A decent finisher to this "album", I think he's released all of his anger and got the pathos he sought. Score - If you know Morrissey and you like Morrissey, then... Sure, this album might be for you. That is, if you want to feel depressed. In that respect, it does really well; it conveys the artist's emotions but requires an already-existing bond to be able to be experienced fully. I would give it a 3.5/5... It's certainly not bad, but it's not on the podium for me. It's just shy of a bronze metal.

You know, pre-comeback Morrissey isn't as bad as post-comeback Morrissey but it's still pretentious, self-centered, sad-sack twaddle and I'm not here for it.

His masterpiece. Hang it in the fucking Louvre. If this had been his final album, and speedway the last song out of his mouth then his myth would have been cemented. I said what I said.

I’m biased, but I’ll always love a Morrissey album. The lyrics are unsurprisingly brilliant here, and they’re combined with some really nice instrumentation. I’m probably ignoring some flaws here because I have nostalgia for the british prick, but to me it’s great.

God I hate morrissey

Morrissey's last great album. Really stands up, even if I wish we'd never heard from him again after this.

Doesn't get better with age. Self indulgent, arrogant, dire, over-hyped, badly structured, poorly engineered, crap lyrics.....garbage.

I bought this for my dad back in HS. He was a big Smiths fan and didn't have any solo stuff. I didn't really like it as much at first. When I relistened in college I fell in love. No skippable songs. Biggest standouts are the more I love you, Lazy sunbathers and speedway. The album really ends on a bang. The drums on the last song are killer.

Difficult person but some really good songs.

Two Morrissey solo records down, two more to go.

Not listening to this shit. Fuck Morrissey

If an album could qualify for 5 stars on a single song, Speedway is it. It is quintessential Morrissey... dramatic pauses, biting lyrics, a loud orchestral sound, passion. One of my favorite songs of all time. Spring-Heeled Jim and Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself capture a similar passion that really elevate this album. Though I can pass on Billy Budd, everything else here are nice variations of the Morrissey formula and really are a nice continuation of what he was doing with the Smiths. Great.

cool

World needs more Morrissey, less Billy Bragg.

Morrissey is a piece of shit and a sad excuse for a human being. But damn is he an amazing songwriter. If you are able to separate the art from the artist with Morrissey his catalogue is a fantastic lesson in music history especially in The Smiths era. And if you don't know how The Smiths wrote music it's worth learning because it is a strange situation that became wonderful art. All that being said this is an amazing album. It opens strong and then "Spring-Heeled Jim" is a weird track and "Billy Budd" falls flat. "Hold on to Your Friends" has a beautiful guitar part. "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get" reminds you that Morrissey is a creep while backed by a great song. The next two tracks just feel like classic Morrissey but nothing too special to me. "Lifeguard Sleeping, Girl Drowning" is strange vocally but solid musically. The next two have that classic Morrissey sound again and "The Lazy Sunbathers" is my second favorite song on the album. "Speedway" I think is the most progressive song on the album, it somehow balances the Morrissey sound with a much more progressive musical sound that is an energetic masterful way to end an album. Morrissey is a 0/5 person this album is a 4.5/5. If Morrissey wasn't a shitty person and was more of a musician I'd be inclined to give it a 5, but I'll stick to a 4.

I'm just going to put this out there - this is the first time I've listened to this or any album by Morrissey in its entirety. It came out in the early '90s when tween/teen me was preoccupied with grunge, which spoke to my soul. I'd heard some of his solo work but just a song here or there. But I listened to it three times. I can see why so many friends and acquaintances are/were big Morrissey fans. He taps into that melancholic, misunderstood energy that so many feel. His voice is lovely and soothing, the music was easy to listen to.

Regrettably this is pretty great

Is the art beholden to the artist, or can it jettison the maker’s flaws? The songs do their part, never surprising, but carrying his romantic sting with confidence, and they don’t hang around. The impression of watching a poison-pen writer dance to themselves from behind a one-way mirror is present. Keep yourselves buttoned; he knows we’re here. The sound is apt: big, dense, surging, regal, with the notes of antiquarianism he wielded in The Smiths - pub chat and siren sounds in Spring-Heeled Jack, not to mention the title itself - the purposefully old beside the modern, out-and-out grandeur never far. Reading the notes, I see Boz Boorer and Alain Whyte deserve more prominence than the blanket “Morrissey” branding allows. Generally, I keep personal life out of these reviews, but context can creep in. As recent arrivals in this country, we’re trying to fit in and be worthy citizens, so in that spirit went on a march today to help safeguard our new home. As we chanted at a cruise ship and burned stuff (libraries with foreign books, a burrito stall, Mazdas), the delicate melodies of Stephen Morrissey synched to our rowdier nativist cries… Immigrants go home, immigrants go home, I heard him sing as smoke curled wistfully over downtown Vancouver.

The problem with Morrissey (aside from the fact that he is a twat) is that he is a great lyricist but he needs a musical genius like Johnny Marr beside him. That is what ultimately made the Smiths work. Some musicians need that collaborative friction to bring out the best in them, and the Smiths are a prime example (alongside the Beatles and Pink Floyd)

6.5/10 FT: The more you ignore me, the closer I get

Vaguely familiar, likely due to a friend desperately pretending that each new Morrissey release of the period was "a return to form". Nope The trouble with Morrissey's solo career is *not* what a dick he became, it's that (barring "Viva Hate" and parts of "Your Arsenal") the tunes are so threadbare it becomes such a dull slog. Boorer/Whyte (who?) were no match for Johnny Marr, unlike perhaps Vini Reilly or Mick Ronson. But, sure, sample some more Ealing film dialogue and grind out some more basic rockabilly indie mush, someone will buy it. The hit and Speedway afford this a high 2, but nothing more

Usually I have to weigh the music against the level of asshole and artist is. Morrissey is a known asshole so that usually would hurt an albums score. Here though, the album sucks anyway. This one isn't any good. So it's easy to score.

Great album

Always been a fan. But this is as good as any of his releases

One of mythe two great albums by Morrissey.

Not only is the man devilishly handsome, but I love the smiths. I knew this was for me before I even hit play. I need a pint

Great album

Always enjoyed Marcy. I grabbed the deluxe remaster that included live versions of all the songs so it was doubly good.

Another Morrissey album in this list and one that could likely be considered his best work to date, with closing track Speedway possibly the best solo song he has released. "All of the rumours keeping me grounded I never said that they were completely unfounded And all those lies, written lies, twisted lies Well, they weren't lies, they weren't lies, they weren't lies"

Now My Heart Is Full, The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get

4.5/5

Pretty collection of tunes with great guitar.

One of my absolute faves, ever

Now My Heart Is Full, The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get

I love Morrisey! And the smiths

Just perfect. Probably clouded slightly by my strong memories attached to this one, but it definitely does it for me.

i really liked it and it’s def my music taste :-)

Let your guard down for a minute, catch Morrissey religion. Vauxhall And I was a total surprise mostly delightful and entirely melodramatic. Each melody is hummably familiar, mood-as-theme works perfectly. This also sounds rather unlike the Smiths, which helps the vocal choices not-grate.

sonzeira, um grande mestre

One of the easiest to give a five star.

Now My Heart Is Full, The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get

Morrissey has the inimitable sound. Drones on and hits very dissonant tones with his voice. Genius.

Is this my first solo Morrissey? I think it is, I know which albums of his are on the list and three of them might very well be his top three albums. I think I slightly prefer "Kill Uncle" over "You Are The Quarry" but it's not my list, is it? Besides this is "Vauxhall And I"

Classic Moz. Well, he has better albums with or without Johnny Marr but this is still really good stuff with some essential songs for any fan. Moz always gets a 5.

Really liked this one. Somehow it put me on a very good mood.

Cool 90-S pop. Clean and rich sound!

This was way too relatable.

This is cool, I didn’t really know what to expect from morrissey but I like this

I like the sound of this one. This is one I would consider buying and would look into more of his music.

Great voice and mellow songs. I just sab ack and enjoyed. I haven't listened to Morrissey before but I probably will in the future. Great album!

The first half had me wondering if something was wrong, because I really wasn't that impressed by it. The second half definitely kills though. Wow is it good. I'm more of a "Your Aresenal" type of Morrissey fan, but this was very enjoyable

Een artiest die oververtegenwoordigd is in de lijst. Maar dit is wel het derde album waar weinig op aan te merken is. Dat is een prestatie op zich. We weten inmiddels dat we geen uitschieters kunnen verwachten. Misschien heeft dit album geluk dat ik het middernacht luister. Dan hoeft het ook niet zo spannend te zijn. 3,5 ster.

I hate that I kinda like Morrissey.

Like all Morrissey albums there's 4 or 5 tracks that I absolutely love. The slower mopey stuff I can do without, but The More You Ignore Me and Speedway and a few others elevate this to greatness.

This album was better than initially expected. Leaving aside all logical reservations about Morrissey himself, and his racist views (which is a lot to ask, I know) and if we stop comparing his solo career with that of The Smiths, “Vauxhall and I” is a very enjoyable album. Build around literary (Melville, Dickens) and a bunch of steady veiled queer references, this album builds a coherent journey. If Luis Cernuda had been a rock star this would have possibly his album. Although not all songs are great (the projects starts fizzling out by the second half of the record (with a serious of slow-paced ballads that do not hit the mark fully), the start and the conclusion are solid and coherent with the overall theme surrounding his fictionalized queer experience: filled with solidarity, friendships, rejection, desire (symbolized by the sun that covers the sunbathers), and the consolidation of identity. It’s noticeable the reverse influence of Brit pop at times (Oasis) but also The Cure, but absorbed by the singer in a totally personal way. Morrissey’s clever lyricism is still top notch. And while the pace is questionable, as the second half drags, the album closes on a high note with the tense drums of “Speedway”. My overall consideration 8/10

I love the Smiths. But before I loved the Smiths, I loved Morrissey's solo records. Call me weird. Vauxhall and I is considered by many to be among the best of Morrissey's solo albums. And it's hard to argue against that. The songs are uniformly strong from start to finish. Now my Heart is Full is a wonderful melodramatic opener. Side A also has the barnburner, Billy Budd, the anthemic Hold On to Your Friends, and one of Morrissey's best-known and poppiest tracks: The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get. It's so poppy, in fact, that you might miss that it's written from the very creepy perspective of a stalker. The second side is also above average. The whole album comes off as perhaps Morrissey's most complete statement as a solo artist. And it's the first of Morrisey's more "mature" albums. The whole thing is really, really good.

Wow, echte Überraschung.

It’s too bad that Steven Morrissey is such a garbage human, because this is a really good album. Moody and atmospheric but still checks all the usual Morrissey boxes.

Love the British edge, not super spectacular though

Хорошая музыка, эмоциональная

Fuck Morrissey. It's not for loving that you're hated, mate. That said, magnificent album, damn it. 4 stars.

4.0

Gagged this is the man from the Smiths.. lol but wow I really enjoyed and he has a fantastic voice truly

As always, Morrissey provides heaps of quality and enjoyment for the listener. Haven't heard a bad album from his discography yet. Very solid record.

Urgh, Morrissey is a fucking twat, but this is a hell of an album, it cannot be denied.

Poetic, lyrical wit and pure Morrissey before the crash.

I don't usually like Morrissey, but this was pretty good!

I love Morrissey.

Sad indictment of today’s music that Morrissey would stand no chance today. Jangle guitars. Biting intellectual lyrics. And essentially a crooner to boot. This album is a slow burn as opposed to incendiary.

8/10

I still don't like the person, but he knows exactly how to do music that I enjoy! Damm!

Still getting a bit of David Bowie in the vocals but enjoyed the album far more than the recent Iggy Pop album. Enjoyed the sound though have a difficult time imagining the setting this is appropriate for

Great moment from Mozza.

I listened to Meat is Murder a while back and thought it was fine. Going into this album I was certain I wasn't going to like it but I was wrong. I ended up really enjoying it. A main problem is mine for Meat is Murder was Morrissey's singing but in this album it clicked for me. Not only that but the musicians were also really good. All in all, I'm shocked that this album was as good as it was. A 4/5 for me. He does seem like an ass though.

Blah blah, Morrissey bad, music good, blah blah... mentioning it every single review is redundant, so no need to harp on it here. Morrissey shows on this album that he recognizes the second British Invasion he helped spawn and takes beats from Pulp among other similar acts to create a very consistent record, with that usual whispery, lackadaisical crooning Morrissey oh so loves, with a dash of relatively generic instrumentation to create a record that is good, but never great. It has those driving, alternative riffs and that thumping percussion to keep things moving, but he knows you are here to love or loathe him and his voice, so he is mainly the star of the show. If you want an album that is definitely aging, but still has enough to come back to, then I think the melancholic tone fits best here since his departure from the Smiths, but I find myself preferring Viva Hate because it sounds fresh and like he's roaring to make his own music. This album feels like he has been there, done that, and knows how to make you happy in the cockiest of ways, and I have to admit this is still got enough good parts to win me over.

Didn't pull me in the same way that Your Arsenal did, but the voice is the same one that I really enjoyed in that. Solid 4 this time.

Good, but it makes me just want to listen to the smiths. 3.5 but I’m rounding up

Great album

Got the album, Morrissey 🙌🫶 7+

Well, there are few things that I tend to feel less excited about than getting a Morrissey album on this list. However, much like how I felt about Your Arsenal, I found myself enjoying this quite a bit. He has a nice voice, the music is great. As long as he doesn't get too maudlin with the lyrics, I can actually kick back and enjoy a Morrissey album. Who knew? 4/5

Great music with a good flow. Good to listen to on the side.

Pleasantly surprised. Very poppy but very good

Very good voice but often clashing with the music behind it which doesn't always complement the voice.

I'd been impressed by this one when it came out, but haven't listened to it in years... I won't be neglecting it now - there are some great tracks here, although it dips a little in the second half. It's not quite a 5, but a high 4.

a morrissey album, similar sound to previous stuff i've listened to both on this list and before i even started. this album is a lot slower, moodier, and softer than his earlier tracks. still though it's much of the same! lots of lesser known songs here and there.

This is a good album but why does he have 4

Chilled

3.75

solid album. good mix of upbeat and subdued songs, all punctuated with morrissey’s trademark crooning. highlights: “now my heart is full” “billy budd” “i am hated for loving”