Morrissey's inherent distrust of the media and Margaret Thatcher isn't exactly news, but the following open letter (via the most reputable Morrissey zine, True To You) at least explains why in lurid detail for anyone who assumes the former Smiths frontman is simply a blowhard... more »
By Annie Zaleski, eMusic ContributorJohnny Marr is best known as the guitarist of '80s icons the Smiths, but in the quarter-century-plus since he left the group, the 49-year-old Manchester, England, native has carved out a diverse career as a… more »
By Andrew Parks, eMusic ContributorAs reported by the fan site True to You, Morrissey has released a statement in reference to his recent hospitalization and the rest of his U.S. tour. Here are his oh-so-wry thoughts in full... The… more »
By Andrew Parks, eMusic ContributorAs much as I hate to post late night show footage — after all, it's one of the laziest maneuvers in the music blogosphere — there's no denying how promising the following performance is. A… more »
By eMusic Editorial Staff, eMusic ContributorFor years, Warner Brothers Records has been home to musicians who want to pursue a particular artistic vision. The albums in this collection may cover a multitude of genres, but they all have one thing… more »
By Jason Diamond, eMusic ContributorJohnny Marr using Facebook to deny the latest rumor that The Smiths are going to take a boatload of money and reunite gave us all a moment to think to ourselves exactly what we would do if the rumor… more »
By J. Edward Keyes, Editor-in-ChiefIn our experiment, Frankie Rose went undercover to talk to real-life space travelers about their experiences beyond the stars, and to ask them about the similarities between her album and the cosmos that inspired it.… more »
By Matthew Fritch, eMusic ContributorGo ahead and argue about it, ask your sister or stare at your record collection until the truth falls out: Morrissey/Marr was the best British songwriting duo of the '80s. In a furiously creative period… more »
By Matthew Fritch, eMusic ContributorIn the U.K., music magazines and other listmakers usually rank The Queen Is Dead in the top 10 or so albums of all-time. Who knows what the critical consensus is elsewhere; it's certainly less beloved,… more »
By Matthew Fritch, eMusic ContributorIt's true that this b-sides/singles compilation is the poorer cousin to Louder Than Bombs (which is nearly identical yet contains seven additional tracks), but still: what an embarrassment of riches. The Smiths were a phenomenally… more »
By Matthew Fritch, eMusic ContributorDid we already crown The Queen Is Dead as the Smiths' masterpiece? Because Strangeways, Here We Come is hardly a descent from the mountaintop. Call the band's final two albums twin peaks, because there is… more »
By Matthew Fritch, eMusic ContributorHad the Smiths been interested in small-scale glory as members of the Manchester post-punk scene, they would have signed to Factory Records. Inking a deal with London-based label Rough Trade not only distanced the Smiths… more »
By Matthew Fritch, eMusic ContributorBefitting its sophomore-album status, Meat Is Murder captures the Smiths at their most adolescent. This is occasionally awkward, and there is no escaping mention of the title track in this regard. Petulant, unsettling, preachy and… more »
By Matthew Fritch, eMusic ContributorFor anyone looking to join the cult of Steven Patrick Morrissey, the line for the Kool-Aid forms here. Bona Drag is perhaps the best indoctrination into the former Smiths frontman's solo career; the compilation swipes… more »
By Matthew Fritch, eMusic ContributorIt was not entirely certain, upon the Smiths' break-up in 1987, what would become of Morrissey without songwriting partner Johnny Marr. The two weren't a creative team so much as a codependency; one was the… more »
