Morrissey: The Albums

by Johnny Rogan

Informed essays and critical reviews of every album recorded by Morrissey, both as a member of The Smiths and as a soloist. Features a song-by-song analysis, a song index for easy reference, and details of compilations and live albums.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

340 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2007

Reviews

[brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

getting ready for monday, tuesday, and saturday night. considering suicide on sunday. will die happy.

[Jeremy Weate · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read for anyone for whom The Smiths was the soundtrack of their adolescence (like me). By switching into the present tense intermittently, "Moz" gives an intimate portrait of himself. Some of his turns of phrase, like his lyrics, can't help but provoke laughter or glee at his wordsmithery. As I'm sure others will point out, the one section which really should have been edited down to three pages AT MOST is the High Court trial. Moz goes on and on and on and repeats himself willy nilly. Apart from that, its an enjoyable read. I gobbled up the 400+ page small brick in 3 sittings.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most succinct thing that I can say about this book is that it does what it sets out to do. The most comprehensive catalogue of Morrissey and The Smiths Music, with in-depth description and analysis of every version of every song known to exist. If you want to learn the story behind "Panic," or want to know how to finish your collection of singles, this is the book for you! Otherwise, it's definitely a book to skip.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mistakenly picked this up thinking it was a biography of Morrissey. And in a way, it is. It's a breakdown of every song Morrissey has ever written. I loved the inclusion of comments of absolute hatred from Morrissey about this author in the first few pages.. An interesting look at Morrissey's songs to be sure, big fans of either The Smiths or Morrissey will appreciate this book.

[minnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has the usual Rogan exhaustive research, but there is nothing really new in it.

[Rob Epler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall worth reading for fans, but probably not otherwise. I like his writing style, & the Smiths stiff was especially interesting, as were his tales of growing up. But his recounting of the trial over Smiths royalties was too long due to repetition. He also made his point about not charting & about feeling mistreated by the press a LOT--more repetition there. I seem to recall this getting very strong reviews when it came out, so I was a little disappointed. Proceed with caution.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rogan is an interesting character. I don't think he's a fan of the man, or of the Smiths...but he's written extensively about both. This book is basically an extended review of Morrissey's songs (each and every one...including B-Sides!). Taken with a grain of salt, and looking for the few historical bits that crop up save this.

[Kat Smyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the in-depth history behind each song - ranging from The Smiths to Morrissey's "Ringleader of the Tormentors".

[johnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

heaven knows I'm miserable now...