by: Adam Glass

Let me preface this review by saying while listening to Morrissey nowadays I try to do it with a Wendy’s double Baconator in my hands just to put me in the right frame of mind. Moz’s music always sounds better with meat. Now….onto the music.

Morrissey’s 10th studio outing is one of his better efforts since 1997’s “Maladjusted” however a lot of the album sounds recycled from his previous outings. Gone are the days where every track off every album was killer. This may be due to the fact that this is the first album in twenty plus years that has no songs with his longtime guitarist and writing partner Alain Whyte.

While attempting to sound new “World Peace” comes off as Moz trying to reclaim his glory days. There is no fresh take here. Songs such as “Istanbul” and “Staircase at the University” sound like they could fit seamlessly with 1994’s “Vauxhall and I”. It’s not a bad thing but Morrissey really shines when he steps out of his comfort zone on songs such as “Earth is the Loneliest Planet” and “Kiss Me A Lot”.

The low points on the album seem to be when he sings down to the listener. Songs such as the title track and “I’m Not A Man” are typical Morrissey trying to teach all of us peons lessons in humanity. But of course he is right and we are all just doing it wrong.

Believe it or not there was a time when Morrissey was known more for his music and less for his outspoken views on animal rights (comparing eating meat to pedophilia) and crazy behavior (cancelling a whole tour last minute because of a cold). One can still hope the music will come first again someday.

6 out of 10