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I Blame Morrissey: My Adventures with Indie-Pop and Emotional Disaster by Jamie Jones
You wouldn't let song lyrics rule your life, would you?
You wouldn't become so infatuated with a pop star that you would use their words to make decisions on your relationships, would you?
Jay would.
Join him as he tries to grow up in the 90s in a haze of lust, indie-pop & warm lager while all the time looking to Morrissey for guidance.
You wouldn't become so infatuated with a pop star that you would use their words to make decisions on your relationships, would you?
Jay would.
Join him as he tries to grow up in the 90s in a haze of lust, indie-pop & warm lager while all the time looking to Morrissey for guidance.
Paperback
First published April 10, 2015
7 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Jones
3 books9 followersI'm a scribbler of words that has managed to persuade publishers to release my ramblings and then people have gone ahead and read them (thanks for that).
“I Blame Morrissey” is loosely based on my experiences of love, life and using Morrissey’s lyrics to help me through the 1990s.
The obsession with Morrissey is, unfortunately, very real and I have the tattoos to prove it. “I Blame Morrissey” is my 3rd book and the first not based on my beloved Peterborough United FC.
I'm currently working on the screenplay to the book and have started work on my new novel "Far From Me" (a darkly comedic tale of a man who leaves his girlfriend for another man whilst at Glastonbury).
“I Blame Morrissey” is loosely based on my experiences of love, life and using Morrissey’s lyrics to help me through the 1990s.
The obsession with Morrissey is, unfortunately, very real and I have the tattoos to prove it. “I Blame Morrissey” is my 3rd book and the first not based on my beloved Peterborough United FC.
I'm currently working on the screenplay to the book and have started work on my new novel "Far From Me" (a darkly comedic tale of a man who leaves his girlfriend for another man whilst at Glastonbury).
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 9, 2016
I wanted to love this book, really I did. I'm a sucker for nostalgia, you see, and I Blame Morrissey promised an industrial-sized wallop of it; Britpop, mid-90s festivals, Paul Weller sideburns and Adidas Gazelles. And of course, a shedload of Morrissey. Sigh. This was going to be WONDERFUL.
Except, sadly, it wasn't.
There's no denying Jones's fizzy enthusiasm (yes, Morrissey fans can do 'fizzy', too) at points in the book; he's writing about a time in his life he has fond (and occasionally bittersweet) memories of. However, despite regularly reminding us that music was his life, his prose on the topic often lacks passion and veers toward repetition. Gigs he claims to have been life-changing - or simply really rather good - are lazily described, with almost every band being 'on top/sparkling/towering form' (or variation thereof), inciting the crowd to 'dance and gyrate' or get 'lost in the emotion' of the show. I'd love to have known what he actually felt at these gigs rathe than read what felt like cliché-heavy, single paragraph reviews. I remember the euphoria and sense of being part of something vital, essential and breathlessly groundbreaking at gigs of that time; that passion, abandon and euphoria is not conveyed here.
The narrative also suffers from the painfully juvenile musings on teenage and student relationships, which generally consist of alcohol, mix tapes and arguments. While these are features of relationships familiar with anyone whose burgeoning hormones were at their most, ahem, burgeonsome in the mid 90s, they don't necessarily make for a riveting read in themselves; there's no real flesh on the bones of Jones's encounters with the opposite sex, and the objects of his affection are two dimensional and unengaging. The novel is also let down by poor editing and copious spelling and grammar mistakes, which adds to the juvenile feel.
There is a sweet coming of age tale at the heart of I Blame Morrissey, but poor, lazy writing and rehashing of scenes, themes and situations try the reader too far to make it particularly enjoyable. The suburban teen growing up with music as his only friend is a well-worn trope; however, Jay's youth is not peppered with loneliness or despair, or blighted with addiction or depression. For a novel on this subject to work, there needs to be a defining issue, something which will resonate with the reader - or else, sparkling humour and warmth carrying the tale. Lacking in either, Jones's book becomes unmemorable and, occasionally, tedious. For all that, there is nostalgia to be had here - not the wallop that's promised, but a pleasant tingle nonetheless. And of course, plenty of Moz, which can only be a good thing. Even then, however, aside from telling us (again and again) which Smiths song he's listening to on his Discman, we never really feel that Morrissey touches Jay on anything other than a superficial level. I'm not suggesting that isn't so; I'm saying the reader is never really party to what's actually going on in Jay's head, on Morrissey or any other subject. As such, it's hard to emotionally engage with, or care, about him.
A sadly disappointing take on a sparkling and vibrant point in musical history, I Blame Morrissey fails to deliver on its promise. If you want to relive your youth, listen to The Queen Is Dead or Dog Man Star instead.
Except, sadly, it wasn't.
There's no denying Jones's fizzy enthusiasm (yes, Morrissey fans can do 'fizzy', too) at points in the book; he's writing about a time in his life he has fond (and occasionally bittersweet) memories of. However, despite regularly reminding us that music was his life, his prose on the topic often lacks passion and veers toward repetition. Gigs he claims to have been life-changing - or simply really rather good - are lazily described, with almost every band being 'on top/sparkling/towering form' (or variation thereof), inciting the crowd to 'dance and gyrate' or get 'lost in the emotion' of the show. I'd love to have known what he actually felt at these gigs rathe than read what felt like cliché-heavy, single paragraph reviews. I remember the euphoria and sense of being part of something vital, essential and breathlessly groundbreaking at gigs of that time; that passion, abandon and euphoria is not conveyed here.
The narrative also suffers from the painfully juvenile musings on teenage and student relationships, which generally consist of alcohol, mix tapes and arguments. While these are features of relationships familiar with anyone whose burgeoning hormones were at their most, ahem, burgeonsome in the mid 90s, they don't necessarily make for a riveting read in themselves; there's no real flesh on the bones of Jones's encounters with the opposite sex, and the objects of his affection are two dimensional and unengaging. The novel is also let down by poor editing and copious spelling and grammar mistakes, which adds to the juvenile feel.
There is a sweet coming of age tale at the heart of I Blame Morrissey, but poor, lazy writing and rehashing of scenes, themes and situations try the reader too far to make it particularly enjoyable. The suburban teen growing up with music as his only friend is a well-worn trope; however, Jay's youth is not peppered with loneliness or despair, or blighted with addiction or depression. For a novel on this subject to work, there needs to be a defining issue, something which will resonate with the reader - or else, sparkling humour and warmth carrying the tale. Lacking in either, Jones's book becomes unmemorable and, occasionally, tedious. For all that, there is nostalgia to be had here - not the wallop that's promised, but a pleasant tingle nonetheless. And of course, plenty of Moz, which can only be a good thing. Even then, however, aside from telling us (again and again) which Smiths song he's listening to on his Discman, we never really feel that Morrissey touches Jay on anything other than a superficial level. I'm not suggesting that isn't so; I'm saying the reader is never really party to what's actually going on in Jay's head, on Morrissey or any other subject. As such, it's hard to emotionally engage with, or care, about him.
A sadly disappointing take on a sparkling and vibrant point in musical history, I Blame Morrissey fails to deliver on its promise. If you want to relive your youth, listen to The Queen Is Dead or Dog Man Star instead.
August 6, 2017
Having good taste in music doesn't excuse you from being a self-indulgent twat...
April 21, 2015
I loved this book. It took me back to my early and mid teens. It made me laugh and cry plus be sad when realised I was at the end of the book.
I laughed as the book is funny in parts and also because being a music obsessive in the 90s could identify with scenarios in the book. I cried as there were some sad parts which did not deflect from the humour or put me off wanting to read more. When I realised the book was Almont finished I seriously was sad as this is the first book in ages I gave been totally lost in.
Well done Jamie this music obsessed Morrissey fan loved your book and highly recommends it to any music fan anywhere that enjoys a good read.
I laughed as the book is funny in parts and also because being a music obsessive in the 90s could identify with scenarios in the book. I cried as there were some sad parts which did not deflect from the humour or put me off wanting to read more. When I realised the book was Almont finished I seriously was sad as this is the first book in ages I gave been totally lost in.
Well done Jamie this music obsessed Morrissey fan loved your book and highly recommends it to any music fan anywhere that enjoys a good read.
September 26, 2016
growing up in the 80's and 90's the music of Morrissey had a profound effect on me. But not to the extent it did on Jamie Jones. Honest and revealing. As Morrissey said, There's more to life than books you know, but not much more.
December 13, 2016
I bought this book because I love Morrissey and it was cheap. It starts off slowly - so slowly, in fact, that I started it last year, got to about 10%, then gave up on it until yesterday when I was travelling and found I had read everything else on my Kindle.
The story is quite repetitive and drawn out - the author seems to witness something musically 'special' every other page (maybe I'm just jealous that I haven't witnessed these special things myself). Not much of a story at all in the book, and I would agree with all of the author's ex girlfriends when they say his obsession with Morrissey is bordering on a mental health issue.
All of that being said, I'm giving this book 3 stars because the music reviews are good, and I have some new material to listen to thanks to the author. Enjoyed the mentions of Oasis gigs and the Britpop scene especially.
Might have had a slow start with the book but I ended up reading the rest of it in less than a day when I picked it back up. If you like real music, you'll probably like this.
The story is quite repetitive and drawn out - the author seems to witness something musically 'special' every other page (maybe I'm just jealous that I haven't witnessed these special things myself). Not much of a story at all in the book, and I would agree with all of the author's ex girlfriends when they say his obsession with Morrissey is bordering on a mental health issue.
All of that being said, I'm giving this book 3 stars because the music reviews are good, and I have some new material to listen to thanks to the author. Enjoyed the mentions of Oasis gigs and the Britpop scene especially.
Might have had a slow start with the book but I ended up reading the rest of it in less than a day when I picked it back up. If you like real music, you'll probably like this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2015
A 'holiday read' in Mykonos. The author has a good way with words and his story rattles along though becomes rather repetitive. Found myself pondering at the 34% mark 'really? I'm only that far in?'. The author is also a complete dick, and readily admits to it, though I don't think he quite realises just how much. He also came to Morrissey rather late in the singer's life. Well into his solo career (and it WAS a career by then, not a calling) and never lived through the Smiths years when Morrissey was at his prime. But the guy is only 39 now so hardly his fault. All in all an enjoyable read and a nice trip down memory lane reminding me of all the other great indie bands around at the time too.
April 18, 2015
Loved this book! It is hilarious! - Apologies to the author as I’m sure I was laughing at parts that were far from funny at the time!
I was laughing out loud at many parts in the book and it was great to be taken back in time to the 90s! I mean who didn’t have the best years of their lives in the 90s eh?!
If you “grew-up” (or not as the case may be!) in the 90s, then this book is for you! If you love 90s music then this book is for you but ultimately if you just want to read a great, funny book then what are you waiting for? Highly recommended!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane Jamie, I’m off to listen to some Oasis and drink some Mad Dog 20/20!
I was laughing out loud at many parts in the book and it was great to be taken back in time to the 90s! I mean who didn’t have the best years of their lives in the 90s eh?!
If you “grew-up” (or not as the case may be!) in the 90s, then this book is for you! If you love 90s music then this book is for you but ultimately if you just want to read a great, funny book then what are you waiting for? Highly recommended!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane Jamie, I’m off to listen to some Oasis and drink some Mad Dog 20/20!
May 7, 2016
Too much filler, too little story, a cool amount of music reviews (which were my favourite parts of the book). It's an easy read (that appeals mostly to us 90's kids for obvious reasons) and is not bad. It's just ok. Sorry, author man!!
You do have a way with words, though; so even though I didn't quite love this book, keep writing and I'll keep reading.
You do have a way with words, though; so even though I didn't quite love this book, keep writing and I'll keep reading.
March 12, 2016
I read this book the day I received it. It was an excellent read, which made me pine for my youth. Some extremely sharp-eyed observations about family life had me laughing out loud and the pace was excellent.
All in all a book not to be missed.
All in all a book not to be missed.
September 26, 2018
I thought I would love this book, I thought it would make me laugh. I was wrong.
It took me about two thirds of the book to work out what was wrong. Here was a guy, with similar loves for music, gigs and football as me, writing about his experience of hearing awesome albums for the first time, how certain songs resonated with him, and how mind blowing certain gigs were. But he did so in a way that completely failed to convey the passion he had for his obsessions. It was also around this time that I realised I didn't really like him, and when you don't particularly like the main character of a book, well, finishing it becomes a struggle.
It took me about two thirds of the book to work out what was wrong. Here was a guy, with similar loves for music, gigs and football as me, writing about his experience of hearing awesome albums for the first time, how certain songs resonated with him, and how mind blowing certain gigs were. But he did so in a way that completely failed to convey the passion he had for his obsessions. It was also around this time that I realised I didn't really like him, and when you don't particularly like the main character of a book, well, finishing it becomes a struggle.
December 26, 2017
This was an easy to read book and interesting as a music and a Smiths fan. Relatable student stories and captures the joy of seeing a great gig! The Kindle version I read was spoilt by lack of decent proof-reading and appalling use of apostrophes.
October 6, 2019
If you went to Uni in the 90s, listened to the Smiths, and lived away from home - then this book will speak to you.
A story about growing up, or rather not, and how university ends up being what you make of it.
I really enjoyed it.
A story about growing up, or rather not, and how university ends up being what you make of it.
I really enjoyed it.
Read
April 16, 2016I love Morrissey but the author is clearly a dickhead! It's terrible and cheesy.
July 31, 2023
Jay is an absolute wanker but at least he's aware of it
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews