Standing Eight

His third release may just be his best yet. If there’s anything about Morrissey that becomes wearing, it may be his croak of a voice which might be more than many can take. Still, he has a wryness and toughness of character that makes his tales of hard-won love seem so fresh and devoid of cliche and excess melodrama. Standing Eight may also be seen as Morrissey’s super session. But this is clearly Morrissey’s show from start to finish, and he’s wise enough to give his famous pals the slack they need to contribute some tight, winning performances (Shawn Colvin’s especially good on “She’s That Kind of Mystery”). – John Dougan