Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Autobiography by Morrissey

Some months ago I finished reading Morrissey's Autobiography.
I admit that, for a non-native English speaker, it was a hard read, the book is full of small ironies and typical English expressions. But, in the end, it was a very interesting read.
I will not resume or tell stories from the book, I will just point two or three things and I particularly enjoyed in the reading.
- Morrissey is very honest in what concerns success in the music industry. Some bands say "I don't care if my album makes the top 10 or not, what it really matters is the message and the music". Well, we all know that this is not really true and everyone cares about the sales, it is good to see your work appreciated and reaching people all over the world. So, Morrissey was, and still is nowadays, euphoric whenever his albums reached the top of the charts in the UK and disappointed when they didn't.
- Morrissey leaves very nice and good words about his ex-Smiths and ex-musical partners musical skills. Although, talking about their personal and social behaving he leaves some critics and sometimes he even destroys them. As I said, very honest, the book is as it should be and it shows completely the world through Morrissey's eyes. As he wrote "How could anybody possibly know how I feel when they are they and only I am I?".
- Morrissey wrote really big part of his life there and this is the closest thing we will ever get to Morrissey's mind but (amazingly) he left a lot of small secrets and mysteries to himself, which is more than understandable.
- Morrissey's depression during his Smiths years was big and it is amazing how he, today, is a very happy man. I completely agree and understand when he says that a Smiths reunion makes him laugh. I don't see (musically) any point for a Smiths reunion and, if Moz is much happier and successful now, why should really be a reunion like that? I still think that "You Are The Quarry" is the singer's best work to date. Better than "Strangeways, Here We Come" and "The Queen Is Dead".
- Moz must be someone really difficult to deal with. His strong an inflexible opinions makes me think that it is really rare when something makes change his mind. I think he know that and he is actually proud of it.
- As a personal view, it was very pleasing to read the book while I am in London. When he writes things like (example) "The concert I gave in Finsbury Park" or "I was walking in South Kensington" and me thinking "Fuck, I was there in the other day" is something special.
Great reading, I recommend it.

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