Morrissey

Papal Visit
By Chris Carney

A consistent chart topper in the UK and one of the legendary grandfathers of alternative rock, Morrissey is one of those artists who seem incapable of avoiding controversy.

Morrissey has been many things; ardent vegetarian, longtime celibate asexual, political lightning rod, and, according to the judge presiding over a royalties lawsuit by ex Smiths drummer Mike Joyce, "devious, truculent and unreliable."

But one thing remains as true today as it did in 1982 when the The Smiths debuted; Morrissey is a phenomenon, as much cultural as musical. Adoration and anger follow him wherever he treads. You either love him or hate him.

His dark, swimming lyrics are direct responses to the world he lives in, whether political, cultural or dietary. At once depressing and uplifting, serious yet silly they tell the tale of a man who is very hard to understand.

That may be the very reason he’s remained popular through three decades. He speaks openly of the contradictions that live in us all. Through his sometimes odd behavior we see that it is all right to be a little quirky, to hold things dear when others are apathetic and to persevere when others give up.


Published in Las Vegas Magazine 9-16-07