Morrissey - Bona Drag

A Warped Record

I got this free from a sweepstake in Holland, I took it home and it broke the 5th time I played it and I was glad, Mor is a used up has been, his voice is rotten with age and he is nothing but a spoiled "pretty boy", even his early days with the Red Zone Band was never this bad, there are 2 bonus tracks of unreleased Smiths songs.
May 15, 2008

The soundtrack to my sophomore year in high school

I was 15 when this came out and I was a pretty typical American teenage Morrissey fan - awkward, overly intellectual, totally clueless when it came to girls, and full of a smug self-importance that I hope I've grown out of. Still, this was the perfect time for me to discover Morrissey, and this album was the perfect way to do it. I know it's a singles comp, but I think it actually hangs together better than any of his solo albums, with the possible exception of "Your Arsenal". Anyone looking for a dose of post-Smiths Morrissey should start right here. Morrissey and I are both older and happier now, but it's good to know that this album will always be there for future generations of geeky teenagers.
October 17, 2007

Musical Therapy

Well, this may be a very unpopular opinion (probably garnering a 0 out of 999 people found this review helpful), but I truly believe that this is the ONLY Morrissey solo album that comes close to the glory of The Smiths. Oh, how I did TRY to like 'Kill Uncle', 'Your Arsenal', etc., but the tracks that those albums were laden with just didn't have anything that sparked them from mediocrity to genius. I listened to all of them numerous times, but even 'Viva Hate' (from which some of these tracks were culled) was bogged down with other tunes that just were not album material.

I hate to detract from Morrissey's plethora of talent because he has the most incredibly passionate voice one could ever hope to hear in a recording, coupled with his brilliant lyrical ability, ranging from songs of gloom and despair to songs about topics you never thought you would hear on any album or you had never even thought of, period.

Now, if I had never heard of The Smiths, I would be saying that this album is pure genius. 'November Spawned a Monster' was not only a really strong tune musically, but also one of many of his songs about unloved outcasts, with which I could really relate. The line, "A symbol of where mad, mad lovers must pause and draw the line," really spoke to me as a teenager and gave me much reason to pause later in life when I thought about having a child.

'Ouija Board, Ouija Board' was another song that grabbed me right away. Reaching out to the afterlife was something that really spoke to me in times of teenage turmoil, but again in adult life these songs blossom into a richness that you don't fully see when you are younger.

'Yes, I am Blind' was the pinnacle of this album for me. I was sure he had channeled into my body and seen life through my eyes. Once again, Morrissey's skill for writing and knowing what's inside of a lonely person's heart and mind, can only come from having been there himself. And maybe that's why I see the later albums as lesser, because there is less of that sorrow there for me to experience a little bit of empathy through my headphones.

I certainly don't fault Morrissey for the music not living up to my expectations, but any die hard fans know that The Smiths set the bar so high musically, that anything else would just seem lackluster in comparison. Unfortunately, listening to any and all of Morrissey's solo albums always just left me scrambling for my 'Queen Is Dead' LP or my 'Meat Is Murder' cassette and wishing that some day Morrissey and Marr might mend their fences and resurrect The Smiths. One can always hope!

September 2, 2006

Morrissey's best compilation

Though the time period it covers is rather short (Viva Hate singles and b-sides) as a compilation this one is way better than Morrissey's other compilations (World of Morrissey, My Early Burglary years, and the best of Morrissey).
Well known 'Viva Hate' tracks like 'suedehead' and 'Everyday is like sunday' are complimented by the equally admirable yet seldom played 'Will never marry', 'Ouiji board Ouiji board', piccadilly palare, 'He knows i'd love to see him', etc. Excellent post-smiths Morrissey. July 12, 2006

BONA DRAG : worthy

Bona Drag, although a compilation of singles, feels like a proper album. it rolls along with pop finesse and fine songwriting that reveals different facets to the Morrissey sound. the moody numbers like "Will Never Marry" and "He Knows I'd Love To See Him" are slightly dramatic and have the power to hold the listener tight within their "late-night listening" grasp. while the punchier tracks such as "Hairdresser On Fire", "Interesting Drug", and "Piccadilly Palare" are some of the more strong tracks that he's ever recorded. bristling with energy and a profound sense of english wit. and you can't go wrong with the classic songs on here such as "Everyday Is Like Sunday", "Ouija Board, Ouija Board" and the definitive Moz standout "Suedehead". arguably, his finest single ever. Bona Drag serves as a great testament to great songs, but also a safe buy for the curious listener looking to furthur explore the world of Morrissey. May 4, 2006

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