As per usual with Mozzer, I expect the lyrics are top notch but the music just doesn't cut the mustard.

Vent My Spleen, who said something similar to that, was it Elvis Costello - I think he said something like Morrissey writes albums with the most amazing titles ever, but unfortunately forgets to but music to them, or something. Anyway, by and large, I find that sentiment to be true.

Mozza's problem is that he doesn't have Johnny Marr to write the music anymore.

did anyone read the Douglas Coupland piece with Morrissey in the Observer Music Monthly? Quite dissapointing, probably because I'm a big fan of Coupland and a small one of Moz...

Coupland can be weird like that. Sometimes he just doesn't make the effort. I refer you to the second half of 'Girlfriend In A Coma' (the book)

I think Viva Hate was the stongest album melodically thanks to the ministrations of the much under-rated Vinnie Reilly (Duritti Column) and producer Stephen Street. I think Bona Drag and Kill Uncle were primarily Stephen Street driving the music before Moz went down the rockabilly route with Boz Boorer where the music and arrangements became far simplier and to my mind far less melodic. The first album was by far the best musically. So far as I remember, Vinnie Reilly is still a bit miffed that he doesn't get much credit for it. Of course, Moz does things his own way - I can't remember if it was Vinnie Reilly or Mark Nevin who said they used to post the tunes to Moz for his scrutiny. Personally, I think the best work of any of them post Smiths was the albums Marr did with Matt Johnson of The The. His current stuff with The Healers is mediocre.

T'was Mark nevin who posted his music to Moz...interesting article from his website, recalling amongst other things the last work the brilliant Mick Ronson (Bowie's guitarist for his finest hours) did before he died. http://www.marknevin.com/collaborations/morrissey.html