|
| Morrissey: The Albums | 
 enlarge | Author: Johnny Rogan
Publisher: Rogan House
Category: Book
List Price: £12.99
Buy Used: £6.99
You Save: £6.00 (46%)
New (33) from £7.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 171460
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 352
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.3
ISBN: 0952954052
Dewey Decimal Number: 780
EAN: 9780952954057
ASIN: 0952954052
Publication Date: August 30, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: corner crease to back cover. SUPERFAST DELIVERY FROM UK. GREAT BOOK, GREAT CONDITION, GREAT PRICE. QUALITY, SPEED AND VALUE ARE OUR EXPERTISE. 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED.
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Part genius, part hack work, but compulsive reading all the same June 29, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a brilliantly sharp book that anybody with a passing interest in The Smiths or Morrissey will enjoy. It's compulsive reading and I struggled to put it down and get on with anything until it was finsihed.
If you haven't read Johny Rogan's legendary Smiths biography 'Morrissey and Marr: the severed Alliance' then do get that first as it is rightly recognised by critics as one of the best rock books of all time and regulalry pops up in 'best book' lists in magazines like Q, Mojo and Word.
It should be noted that fthe irst half of this book is a cut and paste job from a CD sized book Rogan wrote in the late 90's. Also, I personally enjoyed the track by track treatment of the Smiths albums in the book 'The Songs that Saved your Life' more then I did here. But that book doesn't feature the solo tracks so this one has a slight edge.
 Great Song And Album Reviews Of Morrissey February 21, 2007
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Only Johnny Rogan could write such an insightful, elaborate and compelling book that accentautes the wonderful solo Cds, rare tracks and singles of the incomparable Morrissey. There are many interesting and extensive details, interviews and revelations about the creative and enigmatic master of melancholic melodies. After you read this book it is certain that you will conclude that Morrisey is music's most captivating crooner, literate lyricist, ardent animal rights activist and unique superstar. Rogan rightfully indicates that overlooked CDs such as "Maladjusted" and "Southpaw Grammar" were vastly superior to what the critics said. There is only one Morrissey and he is going strong. Mr. Rogan brilliantly enumerates his triumphs, trials, tribulations and ultimate victories.
The Great One's Albums December 27, 2006
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
Got this for Christmas and really enjoyed it. I've read two of Rogan's previous Smiths books, the superb `Severed Alliance' and `The Smiths The Visual Documentary' which despite its odd title was actually an awesomely detailed textual diary of the group since time began. The photos were great too. So it was a treat to see the author finally tackling Morrissey's career, albeit without photos! He once promised another biography and maybe that's on the way later, but this comprehensive overview of his work is so impressive. It struck me that even if you didn't own a particular album the lengthy chapter introductions serve as a biography of sorts with lots of new information and previously unpublished material thrown in. I own all Morrissey's official albums, so I suppose this book was tailor made for me. The stories behind many of the songs and albums were just what I wanted to read. Morrissey seldom talks about the nuts and bolts of the actual recording of his songs - for some albums like Southpaw Grammar or Kill Uncle he's said precious little. Rogan, a perceptive critic as they say, provides revealing interpretations but also interviews many insiders - musicians, producers, managers - who let us into the secrets behind the studio sessions, including stories of how the albums were recorded, what was left on the cutting room floor - and all that stuff. If you're a believer in Morrissey as a great recording artist then I think this book is a must.
Great Book! December 24, 2006
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
I agree that this is a brilliant accompaniment to the albums. I like Rogan's style and his analysis of the albums is extremely thought-provoking. He's the critic that Morrissey has always deserved - intelligent and always ready to provide some new perspective rather than regurgitating old cliches. The new interviews here are particularly revealing and well worth a read for anyone who truly believes that Morrissey is one of the great artists of the last 20 plus years. Who else but Rogan would tease out the positives in Maladjusted and unravel a work which many of us (including me) dismissed a little too easily at a time when Morrissey was `box office poison'. Reading this cover to cover I now appreciate Morrissey far more than ever. He's the man!
The Perfect Companion October 31, 2006
8 out of 10 found this review helpful
With Morrissey having released the excellent Ringleaders and sounding as impressive as ever, Rogan's book is timely. The author's always been a great fan of the Smiths but here he shows his passion for Morrissey's work in what must be the ultimate appraisal of his recordings, covering over 300 pages. About two thirds of the book is devoted to the solo career and it's a mind-boggling read, full of stories about the sessions, with every song discussed at length. Loads of new interviews too and the good news is that Rogan manages to get them to talk about the actual records and songs rather than waffle on about general matters. Despite the length, the quotes are always sharp and avoid any repetition which isn't usually the case in such books. I loved the VIVA HATE section, which turns out to be a saga in itself, full of rivalry and bitterness in the background between Vini Reilly and Stephen Street, with a bemused Andy Paresi looking on with some withering and hilarious comments. Amid the anecdotes there's fascinating technical details about the recordings and how different effects were achieved. Rogan's great at interpreting Morrissey's work, revealing lyrical nuances and throwing in countless surprises along the way. In talking at length about 'The National Front Disco' for instance, he shows how ambiguity is lost on those who only look at a song title instead of the whole picture and does justice to a complex issue. Rogan's really great on this kind of stuff. Fans of BONA DRAG and VAUXHALL will love all the new info . . . As a fan of Morrissey's B-sides, I really enjoyed all the attention Rogan gave to this area too.
He had me rushing back to my old CDs to listen again and again. Rogan's comments are always intelligent and thought provoking and stand well on their own but what makes the book even more important is that's it's not just a knowledgeable armchair guide by an informed critic. There are counter commentaries by many musicians and of course producers like John Porter, Stephen Street and Clive Langer. Somehow Rogan manages to squeeze out a memory of almost every song from somebody along the way. Best of all, Rogan treats Morrissey as THE major figure in pop music. It's really rewarding to see his work treated in such a serious, rewarding and well-written way. In short - the Perfect companion.
|
|
|
Learn how to have your own
Amazon Shop
Travel Maps and Guides
zeugma
| | Holiday Travel |
alpharooms.com for cheap holiday deals in spain and worldwide
Disneyland Paris for a great family holiday or short break.
Holday Cottages throughout Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland and France with Cottages4you
Hilton - need we say more, you will find Hilton Hotels in most areas throughout Britain, in cities and in the countryside.
Don't forget Travel Insurance
Airport Parking
|
|
|
|
