Mancunian minister of misery Morrissey has chosen his favourite albums, featuring some surprise selections.
Morrissey is enjoying a bit of downtime. 2009 passed by in frustration, with the singer’s annual message to fans apologising for a poor promotional campaign behind a recent collection of B-sides and rarities.
Currently without a label, the singer is collaborating with his former home of EMI to release a revised version of ‘Bona Drag’. The 1990 collection will be complimented by a re-issued ‘Everyday Is Like Sunday’ – and evergreen single taken from the singer’s solo debut LP ‘Viva Hate’.
With plenty of time on his hands, Morrissey has revealed his Top 13 albums of all time. Writing for The Quietus, the singer revealed some of the albums which make him tick, including classics alongside lesser known works.
Amongst the list were Roxy Music’s ‘For Your Pleasure’ and ‘Grace’ by doomed troubadour Jeff Buckley. Curveballs include Jobriath’s self-titled debut album, an obscurity which Morrissey himself helped to get re-issued.
Glam before glam, Jobriath’s lush songwriting was a critical hit but failed to impact upon the charts. Openly homosexual, his daring showmanship followed on from the Stonewall riots as an example of taking pride in your sexuality.
A daring album, ‘Jobriath’ sits alongside some cornerstone rock favourites. Iggy & The Stooges’ incendiary album ‘Raw Power’ is included as well as the first two albums by The Velvet Underground.
‘Kimono My House’ by Sparks remains a favourite, with the album famously prompting a fan letter to the NME. Elsewhere, The Smoking Popes appear while Irish songwriter Damien Dempsey is given a place with ‘Seize The Day’.
Morrissey’s Top 13 albums of all time are:
Jobriath – ‘Jobriath’
Jeff Buckley – ‘Grace’
The Smoking Popes – ‘Born To Quit’
Damien Dempsey – ‘Seize The Day’
Roxy Music – ‘For Your Pleasure’
The Velvet Underground – ‘The Velvet Underground & Nico’
The Velvet Underground – ‘White Light/White Heat’
Sparks – ‘Kimono My House’
Iggy & The Stooges – ‘Raw Power’
Nico – ‘Chelsea Girl’
Patti Smith – ‘Horses’
Ramones – ‘Ramones’
New York Dolls – ‘New York Dolls’
