...ready with ready wit...

I first have to confess my bias; I religiously bought and enjoyed Morrissey albums during the so called 'wilderness years'. That said I don't believe 2004's "You are the Quarry" was as big a breakthrough as it was portrayed. Maybe the bar got lower, but "Vauxhall and I" and "Your Arsenal" are, for me, still better records.

As I Live and Breathe, Morrissey Has Put Out Another Brilliant Album

At least six of the album's 12 tracks strongly indicate that Morrissey has found love in the city in which they were recorded - Rome. 'Dear God, Please Help Me' begins with Morrissey wandering the eternal city before confessing "There are exploding kegs/Between my legs" and going on to "Then he motions to me/With his hand on my knee". Oh, Vicar! While lust has been a key theme of his work -- stretching back to the first Smiths single, "Hand in Glove," in 1983 -- it's always been of the tortured, unrequited type. What are we to think now that the ringleader of the tormented virgins has finally gotten himself laid?

Morrissey's 2nd comeback with a few new surprises.

The ever talented Morrissey returns again after last year's triumphant You are the Quarry with some truly great songs.Not every song is a classic but the ones that are like "In the future when all's well" and the catchy "You have killed me "are terrific.The surprises include legendary film composer Ennio Morricone lending beautiful strings to the haunting Dear God Please Help Me" and the kiddy choir on "The youngest was the most loved".Some of the songs on the albums second half are predictable and I still prefer last year's You are the Quarry but even a less than completely brillant Morrissey cd is better than a lot of other music out there.The bonus DVD is extremely short with only one actual video and is I'm sorry to say a disappointment.The single release of You have killed me however is a musthave because it includes 3 new great songs including I Knew I Was Next which could've been a hit single by itself.