Morrissey this week released a list of the 10 albums “of which I am most proud,” a ranking of his back catalog that’s topped by his last three solo records — 2009’s Years of Refusal, 2006’s Ringleader of the Tormentors and 2004’s You Are the Quarry — and that relegates three latter-day works by The Smiths to Nos. 5 through 7.
The list was posted Tuesday to fansite True To You — Moz’s preferred venue for issuing statements, tour dates, etc. — and includes seven of his solo albums and compilations, and just three record’ from The Smiths: 1987 swan song Strangeways, Here We Come (No. 5), 1988 live album Rank (No. 6) and 1987 compilation Louder Than Bombs (No. 7).
Morrissey’s high regard for his last three albums isn’t surprising; in a 2009 message to fans, he called the trio of records his “life’s peaks,” announcing that, “These three will allow me to die in peace. I am no longer in the thrall of anything that preceded them; the past is not me.”
Check out Moz’s list of the the best Morrissey/Smiths albums:
27 December 2011
OF WHICH I AM MOST PROUD
List from Morrissey
1. Years of Refusal (2009) #3 UK, #11 US
2. Ringleader of the Tormentors (2006) #1 UK, #27 US
3. You Are the Quarry (2004) #2 UK, #11 US
4. Vauxhall and I (1994) #1 UK, #18 US
5. Strangeways, Here We Come (1987) #2 UK, #55 US
6. Rank (1988) #2 UK, #77 US
7. Louder Than Bombs (1987) #38 UK, #62 US
8. Bona Drag (1990) #9 UK, #59 US
9. Southpaw Grammar (1995) #4 UK, #66 US
10. Your Arsenal (1992) #4 UK, #21 US
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS:
- Morrissey gives up on record deal, says new album release ‘grows less and less likely’
- Morrissey adds 2nd Los Angeles show after ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ appearance canceled
- Morrissey postpones U.S. tour opener in Chicago over guitarist’s visa problems
- Morrissey to perform on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!,’ ‘Conan’ during upcoming U.S. tour
- Morrissey announces 17-date fall tour of southwestern U.S., Mexico
- ‘The Smiths — Complete’ box set: 8 albums on vinyl, CD; plus 25 7-inch singles, DVD
- Stream: Morrissey debuts three new songs on Janice Long’s show on BBC Radio 2
Hm, I think I’m going to listen to these in order now. Great list <3
Sorry, any artist 30 years into his career who claims with a straight face that his most recent output is his best and/or favorite is full of crap.
Sorry Moz, “The Queen Is Dead” trumps the entire list. Nice try, though.
Although I quite liked You are the Quarry, I think that Meat is Murder should have been at the top of the list and surely Viva Hate and Kill Uncle should have been in there before most of his recent records. Years of Refusal is way too digital, lacking timelessness as far as sound quality is concerned.
Southpaw Grammar was perfect as it was. How ridicuous that the silly re-arranged version is in there.
@Jeb – Re: 30 years into a career and thinking you’ve put out your best work… I give you Duran Duran’s All You Need is Now for consideration… possibly their best work ever. That’s just my opinion tho…
They had to do something to prove they were sorry for Red Carpet Massacre.
What a horrible record that was.
I’ve totally lost my faith in Morrissey if he considers this his top ten. Louder Than Bombs is a fantastic compilation, but the Smiths’ LIVE ALBUM? Above the studio releases, you find that to be better? He could have at least redeemed himself with putting his first two solo releases on the list (which were phenomenal), but yet again, didn’t happen.
But the quote that really made me squirm is: “These three will allow me to die in peace. I am no longer in the thrall of anything that preceded them; the past is not me.” THE PAST IS NOT YOU? THE PAST PRODUCED SOME OF THE MOST CONSECUTIVELY BRILLIANT ALBUMS OF THE EIGHTIES. Get it together, Mozz. I love you, but you should at least acknowledge your past work.
@Ned – Re: 30 year response… RIGHT ON.
@Ned – I *love* All You Need Is Now, but you don’t see Simon or Nick putting that in a list with, umm, Thank You and Liberty as their best work. ;)
“what is your best album” Oh it’s gotta be the most current album.
@Jeb 1 point well made when it’s put in that context
This list is simply meant as a back door insult to Marr. I can understand some of his recent albums being on the list because most artists are in the now and are usually the most excited about what they have done. That being said, to not include Meat is Murder or The Queen Is Dead is just ridiculous. Not including The Queen Is Dead is like Roger Waters saying his favorite Floyd album is The Final Cut.
Heh. One of my favortie Pink Floyd albums is The Final Cut.
This just proves that Morrissey really has turned into the stupid twat we all feared he had become.
Now go put a cat on your head and insult the Chinese, Moz.
I really believe that Ringleader and Years of Refusal are his best solo albums. Bring on the marginalization and hate, my fellow readers, and then criticize Morrissey for the same thing.
Never ask an artist to be subjective about their own works. Their attachments are far removed from those of the fans.
And any rule applied to artists in general needs to be multiplied tenfold when discussing Morrissey.
Amen
lies…all lies…the boy needs to mix in a steak once in a while.
I am dumbfounded that TQID and Viva Hate aren’t in there….RANK? really?
Why didn’t he include Meat is Murder and The Queen is Dead…??? There’s no even Viva Hate which is my favorite among his solo albums…