The CD Singles '88-'91 (Morrissey)

Morrisey's The CD Singles '88-'91 is as it says: a collection of the singles released during that period, with each getting its own disc and sleeve replicating its cover art. Basically, this is completely awesome. Morrissey has some great b-sides, and it's excellent to have them. Of course, the a-sides are also brilliant. Favorite discoveries include "Such a Little Thing Makes Such a Big Difference," "Get Off the Stage," "Our Frank," "Will Never Marry," "Girl Least Likely To," and Moz's versions of "Skin Storm" and "That's Entertainment." This set is awesome, both aurally and visually. My one complaint is that the sleeves make it hard to slip the disc in and particularly out with scuffing it.

Tracks:
"Suedehead" single
1. Suedehead
2. I Know Very Well How I Got My Name
3. Hairdresser on Fire
4. Oh Well, I'll Never Learn

"Everyday Is Like Sunday" single
1. Everyday Is Like Sunday
2. Sister I'm a Poet
3. Disappointed
4. Will Never Marry

"The Last of the Famous International Playboys" single
1. The Last of the Famous International Playboys
2. Lucky Lisp
3. Michael's Bones

"Interesting Drug" single
1. Interesting Drug
2. Such a Little Thing makes Such a Big Difference
3. Sweet and Tender Hooligan (live)

"Ouija Board, Ouija Board" single
1. Ouija Board, Ouija Board
2. Yes I'm Blind
3. East West

"November Spawned a Monster" single
1. November Spawned a Monster
2. He Knows I'd Love to See Him
3. Girl Least Likely To

"Piccadilly Palare" single
1. Piccadilly Palare
2. Get Off the Stage
3. At Amber

"Our Frank" single
1. Our Frank
2. Journalists Who Lie
3. Tony the Pony

"Sing Your Life" single
1. Sing Your Life
2. That's Entertainment
3. The Loop

"Pregnant for the Last Time" single
1. Pregnant for the Last Time
2. Skin Storm (live)
3. Cosmic Dancer (live)
4. Disappointed (live)

Greatest Hits (Morrissey)

For Morrissey's recent Greatest Hits release, I'm not going to comment too much on the music, because I love this guy's tunage. I think the songs are all ace and there's not a clunker on the set. What I will say, however, is that this set is ideal for two people: fans like myself who took forever to become the full-fledged, product-buying variety and older Moz fans who haven't kept up with his output this decade as closely as they did the rest of his career. The set contains his singles released in the 2000s, plus a few random early classics tossed in for good measure. There are also two excellent new tracks: "That's How People Grow Up" and "All You Need Is Me."

The disc itself emulates the look of a vinyl LP, which I always find to be an attractive design. The liner notes, while light on informative text, have two cool pictures: one of the backing musicians, as taken by Moz himself, and one of Morrissey's arse bearing a punny legend. The purple colour scheme of the booklet and other art is very attractive, focusing mainly on lilac.

Quality product, as is to only be expected, considering the artist. Rock on.

Tracks:
1. First of the Gang to Die
2. In the Future When All's Well
3. I Just Want to See the Boy Happy
4. Irish Blood, English Heart
5. You Have Killed Me
6. That's How People Grow Up
7. Everyday Is Like Sunday
8. Redondo Beach
9. Suedehead
10. The Youngest Was the Most Loved
11. The Last of the Famous International Playboys
12. The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get
13. All You Need Is Me
14. Let Me Kiss You
15. I Have Forgiven Jesus

Song of the Day: "That's How People Grow Up"

ARTIST: Morrissey
TITLE: "That's How People Grow Up"
YEAR: 2008

Morrissey's lyrics always kick ass. His voice is so damn expressive. His music sounds good. It's really just a killer combination.

"That's How People Grow Up" is his latest single, and I can't stop spinning it. It meets the high standards Moz has set for himself. I can't even offer much further explanation. It's just great, and that's all there is to that.

The song can be heard here. It is available for purchase on a two-track single (b/w a live version of "The Last of the Famous International Playboys") or on the album Greatest Hits.