Vauxhall And I

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Volk, Steven (7 April 1994). "Morrissey: Vauxhall and I". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 29 June 2001 . Retrieved 15 June 2020. Morrissey’s emotional over-enunciation takes on new dimensions on Vauxhall and I, to mixed results. “The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get” became a hit single on both sides of the Atlantic, and for reasons that are still evident: it’s a sterling pop gem, jangling yet airy, with Morrissey going the extra mile to put the “play” in wordplay. “I will be in the bar/ With my head on the bar”, he croons, grinning at his own deceptive daftness. But he’s also toying with his own public image as a sexless recluse while neatly turning the tables on his hordes of obsessive fans by lampooning the way they might feel about Morrissey himself. Exhausted from accusations of racism, reportedly, a few years after its release Morrissey revealed that Vauxhill And I was a preface to "leaving the public domain" with Morrissey declaing "I was aware of this end-of-reign atmosphere while recording the album". Vauxhall And I was Morrissey’s fourth solo album and is widely regarded as one of his very best, although this writer still thinks Viva Hate has the edge. The record was produced by Steve Lillywhite and features the hit single The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get. It also saw significant commercial success for the singer with the album reaching the top 20 in the US and number one in the UK.

For fans of Morrissey, 5/5. This is the Holy Grail of Morrissey’s career. Your Arsenal is more fun, Viva Hate is more closely related to Smiths music, but Vauxhall and I was Morrissey at his peak. In our complete guide to the solo career of Morrissey we look at one of the true godfathers of Britpop… Written by David Burke. Morrissey's second best album. When it was released in 1994, Vauxhall and I was presented as Morrissey’s final album. Of course, Moz being Moz, he didn’t follow through such promise. Then again, you couldn’t exactly blame him for making such a grand statement, given the context that gave birth to the singer’s fourth record as a solo artist.Without doubt the most personal album that Morrissey has been involved in since the debut album by 'The Smiths' over 10 years earlier. The second single from You Are The Quarry, after Irish Blood, English Heart, The First Of The Gang To Die gave Morrissey his first brace of Top 10 hits since The Last Of The Famous International Playboys and Interesting Drug in 1989. Elsewhere, the television and Carry On culture that was a formative part of his upbringing, are referenced as is his opposition to carnivores manifest in young fan Lucette Henderson. The scene in which she intimidates a couple of fur coat-wearing old dears enjoying afternoon tea at a pier-side café, is pure comedy gold. Vauxhall And I (AlbumStereo) - Discogs release: https://www.discogs.com/release/12355178-Morrissey-Vauxhall-And-I

Of course, the presence of the Midas-blessed Steve Lillywhite on production doesn’t hurt – nor does the uncredited presence of the then Mrs Lillywhite, Kirsty MacColl, on B-sides, Used To Be A Sweet Boy and I’d Love To, which is every bit the equal of The More You Ignore Me… Romero, Michele (25 March 1994). " Vauxhall and I". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 18 November 2015. Morrissey’s final album of the new millennium’s first decade would also be producer Jerry Finn’s swansong – he died of a brain haemorrhage shortly after recording was completed. It’s not a bad legacy to leave, as he oversaw a set that is equal parts amusing and acerbic – staple Morrissey, in other words – and somewhat concerned with issues of mortality. For the two pressings with the same fonts for the album title on each label - https://www.discogs.com/release/20814643-Morrissey-Vauxhall-And-I and [r=23805038]. Vauxhall and I was a success in the United States, making the top 20. It was also Morrissey's second solo album to reach the top of the charts in Britain, the first being Viva Hate.

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You will not find much of the notable sardonic wit which makes most of Morrisseys lyrics have an edge of humour too them - the subject matter is too dark. However even in the depths of despair the man cannot fail to take tongue in cheek swipes at the London existence he finds himself in. However, from then on – and with the exception of the already-mentioned songs – we are treated to a succession of slow-paced ballads that range from the interesting and poignant (“Hold on to Your Friends” and “The Lazy Sunbathers”) to the bland and incredibly self-absorbed (“Used to Be a Sweet Boy”, “Why Don’t You Find Out for Yourself” and “Lifeguard Sleeping, Girl Drowning”). Because of this, the album sounds much longer than the 39 minutes it takes to go through its eleven songs. Whatever the reasons for the Smiths’ demise in 1987, eyebrows were arched at the prospects for an enduring Morrissey solo career without the musical nous of Johnny Marr. Yet, 34 years on years on from the release of Viva Hate, Moz continues to confound the critics – occasionally appearing to go out of his way to piss them off – by metaphorically waving his gladioli for perennial outsiders everywhere. In 2014, even listeners who dislike Moz certainly have enough to say about him. Morrissey has been made mythos — his prodigious Autobiography was met with enormous sales and critical praise earlier this year, and he will be the subject of a forthcoming unofficial biopic directed by the Academy Award–nominated filmmaker Mark Gill. Morrissey is also still making music that is staunchly his own, as evidenced by the spoken-word (!) promos for World Peace is None of Your Business, out July 15th on Harvest. Vauxhall And I: 20th anniversary remastered edition and bonus live recording release information, sleeve artwork. - release information (March 27, 2014)

The live CD sounds equally good but I would’ve preferred content across a Blu Ray or DVD. That would’ve been more fitting of a 20 th anniversary edition. But for fans, I am sure this previously unreleased live audio is still a great thing to have. The reissue will be available as a one-LP heavyweight vinyl record as well as the two-CD deluxe edition.

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Although the whole London thing provides the only moments of humour on the album, they also brilliantly serve to highlight Morrisseys loneliness in his 'fish out of water' existence away from his northern roots, which only accentuates further his loss. Such pain is seen throughout with 'Hold on To Your Friends' urging the listener never to take true friendship for granted as there 'might just come a time / when you need some friends'.