World Peace Is None Of Your Business

I admit it I just couldn't get into it at first, but kept it on in the background and before long I couldn't take it off. Give it a chance to spread it's wings before taking flight, setting it's sights and sinking it's claws in you.A certain line from The Smiths' Shakespeare Sister can't help but come to mind: " I thought that if you had an acoustic guitar then that meant that you were a protest singer". And has Morrissey been anything else? Granted one full of more bile, anger, disgust and outrage than Phil Ochs or Pete Seeger. And instead of screaming at you like Rage Against the Machine, he uses Irony, Sarcasm, Wit and Humor. Much like Woody Guthrie albeit in a defiantly veddy, veddy British way.The first track begins with war drums and ends with the sound of boots marching. In between lies a song that melodically touches on a 50's teen sock hop balladry despite some driving guitar breaks. Lyrically, he not only mocks those who sit apathetically by on the sidelines but those naïve idealists all too eager to rush to the frontlines. Perversely and secretly cheering them on from the sidelines, of course.Neal Cassidy Drops Dead begs the question: "Victim or Life's Adventurer, which of the two are you"? And I suppose that's whole thesis behind this essay of an album. Underscored by some unanticipated flamenco guitar I might add. I'm Not A Man is the album's most epic track and gleefully mocks and taunts the clichéd demands of manhood before erupting in a series of shrill, bloodcurdling screams. Musically, Earth Is The Loneliest Planet tours Brazil, another unexpected turn on a vital album full of taking the piss and passing the vinegar.Staircase at the University is the closest this album gets to a vintage Smiths song. A winning combination of tragedy, humor and pathos. Not to mention one helluva fiery acoustic guitar solo in the middle. My vote for best song on the album. As the song says, "If it breaks your legs well then don't come running to me".If Istanbul, Bullfighter Dies and the infectious Kiss Me A Lot seem like they're killing time for something bigger and better to come along, it does.The haunting, sparse Smiler With A Knife is another album standout and classic Morrissey. Kick the Bride Down the Aisle is as scathing as it gets, an epistle to feminism that is guaranteed to bring accusations of misogyny from the reactionary and dull witted. Mountjoy can only refer to the infamous Irish prison with it's references to Brendan Behan and the "many executed here by the awfully lawfully Good". "Rich or Poor we all lose". A protest song if I ever heard one and one of the most powerful statements on the album. Oboe Concerto ends things on a playful note with " there's a song I can't stand and it's stuck in my head".And let's not forget the band. Credit is due to them for reaching outside the box making World Peace the most musically diverse yet hardest driving Morrissey album in ages. And yes, he will continue to bemoan and protest and sing the same song over and over ad nauseam because The World Won't Listen. And if you're in on the joke, he's all too keenly aware and poking fun of that very fact. As the cover goes to show you can't teach an old dog new tricks let alone how to write it's name with a fountain pen.While I'm more of a frustrated Smiths fan than Morrissey fan, I've stuck with him for better or worse. His albums always boast a memorable single or two but can also be pretty hit or miss. Based off years of eavesdropping, I think World Peace ranks as one of his strongest solo albums. So 5 stars.

I've listened to this for a week now and I love it. It's almost as good as "Ringleader of the Tormentors" and in some ways better. His vocals are as strong and clear as ever and the band brings it......this may be his best produced album yet. Excellent instrumentals and support. It's got a kinda "Spanish Tinge" as Tom Waits would say. The theme and color of the whole project reminds me of Waits' last album, "Bad as Me" but much darker and more sardonic. Artistic references abound, from the Beats to popular and obscure comedians to Tennessee Williams and more.....But this is Morrissey's show all the way. Even with all of the great support he gets on this album, the focus is still on him......His vision is so strong on this album it took me several listens to get it...but it is worth it.What can you say about the subject matter?....Human coercion, manipulation, brutality, violence and destruction of other humans, animals and of course our own environment.... as well as fear and confusion over Death.....In the middle of the madness of life we look for love and need it.... one way or another. This is a very philosophical and powerful statement that Morrissey and many other artists have explored and he has his own unique approach. The horrifying human screams at the end of "I'm Not a Man" is an incredible ending to one of his best songs from his perspective. Some critics may not like his political opinions or his stance for animals......they don't have to. Like I said, this is his perspective.....He's not a man or an artist in any ordinary manner.I like every song on this album, don't really have a favorite. The songs are sequenced well with great sound effects throughout. Oboe Concerto is a perfect ending to an amazing work. My wife and I saw Morrissey a couple of months ago in Florida. He did a few songs off of this album. One of the most powerful shows we've ever seen.....He and the band couldn't have performed any better. He gave it everything he had.....Like Morrissey, (and probably you as well) we try to keep up with current and world wide events and the picture is grim, but Morrissey is not defeated. This is Morrissey's take on life..... on this planet....a damn good album. Better than that...it's a Morrissey masterpiece. If you have ever been a fan of his work, you need to get this and give it a good listen....I have all of his work and in my opinion, this rivals everything he has ever done. The power of this grows and grows......

Here I'm listening to Morrissey's new album as thunder & lightning rage from the NYC sky,and what a great soundtrack this makes.Having had a mixed reaction to the pre-album singles (loved the title cut,the other 2 not so much),I didnt know what to expect.But as soon as I heard the deliciously evil guitar fuzz & beat as Morrissey slyly sings "Neal Cassady drops dead and Allen Ginsberg's tears shampoo his beard" in "Neal Cassady Drops Dead" I was glad that I did.The song morphs into "November Spawned A Monster"'s evil twin in the climax.Already a favorite.Then you have the next song "I'm Not A Man" which is one of his most emotional epic songs in some time (and as an animal loving misanthrope myself,I can listen to this great song all day).The screaming in the end is both chilling and beautiful.Other standouts include the bouncy "Staircase at the University" and the acoustic lullaby of betrayal "Smiler with Knife" (both classic Moz that would have fit any of his earlier solo albums).Kiss Me A Lot" is the album's only filler with dopey lyrics.The album ends with three haunting & somewhat theatric "Goodbye" songs-Kick The Bride,Mountjoy & Oboe Concerto.Overall,WPINOYB is much more like You Are The Quarry then the two harder albums that followed it,and his best album since then.

There is a handful of songs that could use more of the passion and rebellion Morrissey is known for. More of a punch, I mean. But all in all it's a pretty decent album, although I think he's done better. It's OK that he decided to add Latino and Spanish flavors to his work but somehow it doesn't really match his style. It's a bit like putting Alice Cooper to sing tango.