It is quite a prolific period for Steven Patrick Morrissey, who will reach the milestone of sixty-one years old next May.
A year after the well-received cover album âCalifornia Sonâ and three years after the last collection of new songs (the good âLow In High Schoolâ), it's time for the ex-Smiths member to release his thirteenth solo studio album, titled âI'm Not A Dog On A Chain.â
Produced by his comrade Joe Chiccarelli and recorded in France (La Fabrique Studios in Saint-RĂŠmy-de-Provence), the new work (as confirmed by Chiccarelli himself) pushes Moz into (for him) unprecedented and adventurous directions, without forgetting his trademark style. And the mission seems perfectly successful, to the point that we are perhaps talking about the best work by the British artist since the dazzling âRingleader Of The Tormentors,â released fourteen years ago.
The opening trilogy is perfectly representative of the ânew courseâ: âJim Jim Fallsâ opens among the more uptempo Charlatans and early Prodigy, âLove Is On Its Way Outâ veers towards Depeche Mode (as does the following âOnce I Saw The River Cleanâ), while the nearly six-minute stunning single âBobby, Don't You Think They Know?â (featuring the delightful participation of Thelma Houston) hits the mark through an electro rock with a psychedelic sax solo as a propellant.
There are also satisfactions for fans of the Smiths or early solo Morrissey (the title track, âWhat Kind Of People Live In These Houses?â), but they are few compared to the breath of renewal that is felt almost everywhere on this record, taken to the extreme in the sensational jazzy noisiness of âThe Secret Of Music,â perhaps the most experimental track in Moz's entire career.
Morrissey scores another great hit and reveals himself as an artist with a great desire to amaze once again, despite the controversies that accompany each of his releases (this record also seems to be encountering distribution problems, in addition to a particularly negative reception from the UK critics). A truly excellent return.
Best track: The Secret Of Music