A Note From Morrissey

Yesterday, the lovely folks at It's Morrissey's World passed along a note from the Mozzer, who informed fans that his tour in support of Years of Refusal has finally resumed. Morrissey recently canceled a host of gig overseas at a doctor's request to rest his voice. Want to know more? Read on ... and look closely for some new album info.

We Will Resume

I am very pleased to confirm that we will resume at Luxembourg this coming Friday (5 June), absorbed and collected. I have been reconstructed by a Wiltshire hospital and I am as close to good health as I'm likely to get.

I apologize to everyone caught up in the to-ing and fro-ing, but the disappointment of postponement is less than the disappointment of hearing me sing on one engine.

I should stress that nothing has been canceled. The four London concerts are repositioned in July, and both Birmingham and the Royal Albert Hall are October fixtures. I've endured a titanic struggle against an intolerable virus lately, and although Hull, Hartlepool and Manchester were nights that comprised a whole life, the physical limits were reached. False notes crush the soul.

Besides Luxembourg and beyond, I am excited about the October release of Swords, which is an 18-track compilation of b-side of singles from the last three albums. This will be a Polydor release.

Thanks to everyone who bought 'Years of Refusal'. We were the number one seller in the UK for the week of release, but, as with 'You Are The Quarry' and 'Your Arsenal', we were booted off the number one spot on the last hour of the final day. We cried.

I would like to point out that some passable creature is using my name and sending sharply chiseled replies to people via Twitter, MySpace and Facebook. This person is not me. Not enough happens in my life that I would wish to share it with others. I do not scan these sites - or whatever they are - so I can only hope that whoever is posing as me is at least worth talking to. Beware of false imitations.

Thanks for reading these unvarnished facts, and thanks for giving us some greatly enjoyable nights on the Refusal tour.

Absolutely Yours,
Morrissey


.... ooooh, Swords is forthcoming. I'm giddy!

Head on the Door

Morrissey's video for second single, "Something Is Squeezing My Skull" was release today via MySpace. The clip captures Moz & Co. playing live at the BBC Radio 2 concert in London in February. Lookin' good Solomon Walker!

Morrissey -Something Is Squeezing My Skull


Again, "Someone Is Squeezing My Skull," the second single from Moz's Years of Refusal LP, is out Monday in the U.K.

LOVE Josh Modell's geek obsession bit on the Mozzer at the Onion's A.V. Club, too. Catch Morrissey do "Sing Your Life" on the "Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson.

He Knows I'd Love To ...

Ah yes, another Morrissey book for those loyal fans out there. This time, author Dickie Felton captures 30 real-life chance meetings between the adored one and his forever adoring fans in his book, The Day I Met Morrissey, out May 11th via Bootle Bruiser Books. If you don't know already, there are no fans like Morrissey fans. To say they worship him is pretty much an understatement. Last month, while attending the Webster Hall show, my friend Briana and I were laughing how we're still as mad for the Moz now as we were as teenagers. The closest I've ever come to meeting Morrissey was when he and security scurried past the merch table after the Webster Hall show. In 1997, when catching former Smiths frontman at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, my old college roommate and I chased Spencer Cobrin and Johnny Bridgewood across the street to their hotel. They seemed to have enjoyed that. We just said hi.

Maybe one day? HA!

In other related Morrissey news, "Something Is Squeezing My Skull" will be the second single from his latest LP, Years of Refusal. Out April 27th in the UK, live versions of "This Charming Man, "Best Friend on the Payroll" and "I Keep Mine Hidden" are also included. Click here to order.

Fandom Happiness

I've never been a Mountain Goats fan simply because I've never taken the time. I have friends who adore the band and hang on frontman John Darnielle's every word. I suppose I've never bothered because I've only ever been involved with Morrissey. I guess I've felt removed from my younger peers who love the guy so much, too. But I was moved by New York magazine's amazing article on Darnielle's most sensitive and loyal fans.

In Stephen Rodrick's article, "God & Worshipper: A Rock & Roll Love Story, of Sorts", the reader gets to know the charmingly sweet Stephen Wesley, probably the world's most fervent Mountains Goats fan. I like him immediately.

He squeals with such joy when he finally gets to see the Mountain Goats live at the Music Hall of Williamsburg; at Morrissey's March 26th show at Carnegie Hall, my 8th Mozzer gig in 10 years, I screamed like I'd never screamed before as Moz descended the famous stage in a tux. I get this fan-love thing ... I do.

Wesley also did his fan duty by ordering two copies of the limited vinyl release for Satanic Messiah EP last fall. He'd already purchased the digital version, but ordering two separate copies from both 4AD's label site and another indie-record vendor, well that's true love.

When Morrissey issued the first single from his latest LP, Years of Refusal, I was just as fanatical as Wesley. I ordered two different copies for the "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris" single so I could have the two B-sides. I also ordered the 12" for the naked sleeve shot, which I blogged about a few months back. When I caught Morrissey at Webster Hall in late March, I also purchased a numbered and signed copy of Years of Refusal. I already own it on CD, too. See? Wesley knows about this.

With all this fandom aside, you learn about the trying life of John Darnielle. He was beaten by his alcoholic step-dad, but learned to love Randy Newman from him as well. He's been writing since 7th grade and is obssesed with Joan Didion's work (just like me). He was raised Catholic. He battled heroin. He worked as a psychiatric nurse after high school. And he's a music geek just like any of us. Honestly, he seems like a decent guy. I like that.

When Wesley finally met Darnielle, you learn that the two have much more in common than you'd like to think a fan and a rock star might have, but it's incredibly endearing. Rodrick guided me into Darnielle's creative world, one that I tried to ignore for so long, and it was Wesley who helped me understand why people appreciate this John Darnielle guy and worship the sound of the Mountain Goats.

I guess it's high time I spent some time with the Mountain Goats.

Famous International Playboy

Ok, I've been hesistant to discuss the much-talked about naked Morrissey photo for a couple of days now. News flash for those who haven't Facebooked me or texted me with the news (haha), Morrissey and the rest of his band are nearly nude on the inner-sleeve of the Mozzer's forthcoming single, "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris." Of course, the Moz and the band's unmentionables are covered by aptly-placed seven-inch vinyl records.

It's not because I'm worried about what my Dad might say (thanks for always reading my blog, Dad) when he sees the post or how the Sultan will scowl at the photo above. The gasps, the shrieks, the wtfs surrounding this photo ... it's entertaining, sure. But really, why is this such a big deal?

The Guardian criticizes the photo as "ghastly." "The decline of Morrissey's sleeve imagery has only been equalled [sic] by his similarly appalling taste in denim over the past decade. Where once he wore synch-stitched Levi's, he seems to have been working his way through a dizzying wardrobe of boot-cut monstrosities when promoting his past four albums."

Really?

For me, it's Morrissey. He's still my favorite favorite. I get what he's doing here ... let the man make fun of himself. Let him have a little fun, period. The dude's outgrown his signature moping, but he'll never stop mocking the press or the naysayers. I especially love him for that. Sure, if was 16, I'd be a giddy fangirl about this photo. And I suppose I'll be a fangirl for Morrissey for the rest of my life. But c'mon. This photo is that big of a deal? Let's not make it more than it is. Red Hot Chili Peppers? Psssh.

Morrissey has remained an original. He's timeless. The artwork for his solo singles might not exactly match the flawless brilliance of former Smiths singles, but as he's always done, Morrissey does what he wants. Thank goodness for that.

"I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris" is released February 9th, while Morrissey's tenth studio LP, Years of Refusal, drops February 17th.

My Love Life

2009 is shaping up to be a good year ... so far ... my dear favorite Morrissey will release his tenth studio album, Years of Refusal, February 17th on Attack/Lost Highway. Lost Highway, what? Hey, as long as he keeps releasing good, solid albums, I'm happy. Anyhow, Years of Refusal marks the Mozzer's follow up to 2006’s Ringleader of the Tormentors, which is, by the way, incredibly underrated. "Life Is a Pigsty" is epic.

Produced by the late Jerry Finn, who also joined Moz for 2004's You Are the Quarry, produced the dozen-song effort. Sadly, it also marked his last project. Finn suffered a cerebral hemorrhage last July and passed away a month later at the age of 39.

The oh-so charming "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris," is the LP's first single. English guitar legend Jeff Beck also performs on track "Black Cloud."

Years of Refusal:
1. Something Is Squeezing My Skull
2. Mama Lay Softly On the Riverbed
3. Black Cloud
4. I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
5. All You Need Is Me
6. When Last I Spoke to Carol
7. That's How People Grow Up
8. One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell
9. It's Not Your Birthday Anymore
10. You Were Good In Your Time
11. Sorry Doesn't Help
12. I'm OK By Myself

Special Edition DVD:
1. Wrestle with Russell
2. That's How People Grow Up (Performed on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
3. All You Need is Me (Performed on Later with Jools Holland)
4. All You Need is Me (Video)

Look at THAT cover!