Customer Reviews

Viva Hate

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Smiths - Morrissey: let me give you the conclusion that took me 18 years to arrive at. Besides the song Meat is Murder, Morrissey doesn't have a bad song is his catalog. I used to think "Kill Uncle" (by Morrissey) was a lame album and that "Maladjusted" was worse. I traded in both cd's only to buy them back years later. It is a disservice to judge The Smiths and Morrissey album by album, this one is more sorrowful, this one has the right mix of angst, self-indulgence, wit, blah, blah, blah. Stick all the songs on MP3 format and press random: it is sonic Heaven and Hell. Morrissey IS the Mozart of our time, he will die as a blip on the musical scene with most people drawing a blank stare at the mention of "How Soon is Now." Oh wait, didn't he write the theme song for "Charmed."

"Viva Hate" isn't my favorite Morrissey solo album. There, I said it. I'm going against the grain of public opinion amongst Morrissey fans, but not without reason. Don't get me wrong, the album is an impressive solo debut (even more so considering that it was released within 6 months following "Strangeways, Here We Come," the final album of his former band the Smiths). But I just don't think it deserves to be on such a high pedestal. Producer Stephen Street replaces former Smith Johnny Marr as his music collaborator on "Viva Hate," and while Street doesn't match Marr's skills, he compliments Morrissey nicely on this disc. There's the lush orchestral arrangements on "Hairdresser on Fire," the gloomy "Everyday is Like Sunday," and the soaring "Angel, Angel Down We Go Together." Mozzer hasn't lost much of touch as a lyricist, either. He tells a tale of unrequited love in the excellent "Suedehead," addresses racism in the semi-controversial "Bengali in Platforms," and delivers a scathing commentary on Thatcherism in the chilling "Margaret on the Guillotine." As much as I like "Viva Hate," my personal favorite Morrissey albums are the tough-as-nails, glam-flavored "Your Arsenal" and "Vauxhall & I." Still this is a respectable and solid debut.

Its as good as the worst Smiths album, and that's saying a lot. Has the requisite crowd pleasers like Suedehead and Everyday is Like Sunday. If you already have all of the Smiths stuff and you don't own this album - its definitely worth picking up. However, if you're still listening to the Smiths in this day and age chances are you already own this album.

Morrissey is the gauge of righteousness. If a person is into Morrissey, even slightly so, they can be considered a person
who is trustworthy and real. If they're against Moz, then, well, "...life is hard enough when you belong here...."
I've had "Viva Hate" since it came out in '90. This record, as well as ALL his others, should be purchased immediately.
"Rejection is one thing,but rejection from a fool is cruel...."

The answer to that is too subjective but it is my favourite. It is chockful of superb songs. From the instantly recognizable " Everyday is like..." and "Suedehead", to lesser known tracks like "Hairdresser on Fire", it is a brilliant music capsule from the late 80's.

If you have never heard Morrissey, this is probably the best way to get your feet wet.

This is one of the best solo debut albums to be heard. After reading the reviews and hearing samples from the Amazon.com website I decided to purchase it, even better at a low cost. The two best songs are Suedehead and Everyday is like Sunday to name a few. I also recommend getting Vauxhall and I by the same artist.

I'm a huge Smiths & Morrissey fan, but i'll be honest, this is not a great album. I've always found a certain sincerity and romantacism in Morrissey's crooning which allows the listener to believe in everything he's trying to say. This album however seems forced and unnatural. Every song on this album with the exception of three, "Suedehead","Everyday is like Sunday" and "The Ordinary Boys" seems to pass me by and have no real effect on me. The music is very malnourished and predictable and Morrissey's lyrics are lacking on the inventive side. His voice however has never been better, sounding stronger and never out with his control. An interesting debut album but that's all, Please forgive me Moz :(

Whether you have the original, or new "Viva Hate", I believe it to be his best solo album. Also, because it's his solo debut, it's the album of his that sounds most like "The Smiths". "Everyday is like Sunday", "Hairdresser on Fire", and "Suedehead" are only three of the classics on this cd. My favorites happen to be "Bengali in Platforms" and "The Ordinary Boys". His collections are also very good, but I would rather have this cd anyday. In short, if you're a fan of "Bryan Ferry", "Ian McCulloch", or obviously "The Smiths", buy, listen to, and love "Viva Hate".

Morrissey's debut solo record is also his best and better than anything the Smiths put out in my book. Yeah, okay, it ca be a little whiny, and Morrissey's voice can be a tad irritating after awhile, but with songs like "Alstaian Cousin", "Angel, Angel, Down We Go Togather" and "Suedehead", you can't really argue. One of my favorite records of all time and it'll probably be one of your's also.

Haven't bought the new and improved edition of "Viva" yet, but you can't go wrong with the tracks featured here. The scintillating "Margaret on the Guillotine" sums it all up: clever, cunning, and cutting. Morrissey is in remarkably clear voice throughout, and his lyrics are alternately verbose, focused, and incredibly deep("Everyday is Like Sunday", a ballad about a hoped-for end of the world, remains one of his most trenchant and yet appealing songs). This is terribly sophisticated and intricate music, crisply produced and arranged with delicate malice.