Skip to main content

Morrissey - Interesting Drug

If you haven't been following nostalgic alternative rock news, Morrissey (Bigmouth Strikes Again) is currently embroiled in a public relations debacle resulting from last month's interview with Zer Spiegel wherein he made some uncomfortable and half-baked statements about sexual assault. If you're interested in catching up on the situation, it's here.

 I've always enjoyed Morrissey's defiance of the status quo with his music. Throughout his work with the Smiths and as a solo artist, he's expressed brash opinions about animal rights, war, celibacy, sexual identity, royalty and even toyed with English pride and Britishness (which, for many fans, went too far). Morrissey is a pop singer and has continually employed sarcasm and irony in his music. He also toys with ambiguity. I like Morrissey when he uses lyrics and music to provoke our thinking. He tends to completely bungle interviews, coming off as a both a narcissist and hypocrite. That's not to say that he hasn't given some of the most entertaining interviews in the history of pop music.

With tonight's song choice I'd like to steer away from analyzing Morrissey 2017 and delve into his music from the late 80s. Interesting Drug, is a funky little pop song with a bitter bite. Released as a single, post-Viva Hate, the tune is a scathing criticism of conservative politics. I felt it might be a nice listen for anyone coping with feelings of bewilderment in the wake of our current GOP tax reform.

 "There are some bad people on the rise 
There are some bad people on the rise 
They're saving their own skins by 
Ruining other people's lives 
Bad, bad people on the rise"

Here's a recent cover by Chicago, power-pop act, OK Go. On January 18, they uploaded the tune to their YouTube page with the following message:

 "We recorded a cover of Morrissey's 'Interesting Drug' — it seems like the right soundtrack for this moment. No matter how anxious or angry you are, try to turn your passion into something good for the world. We're in this together."

Comments

Post a Comment

Trending Tracks

Jules & the Polar Bears - Good Reason

Jules & The Polar Bears is one of those bands that you want to like, but continue to remain on the fence about even after a decade of failed listens. Recently, I've been sampling bands from the late 70s and early 80s who released fake new wave albums -- major label acts who played middle of the road rock, but disguised it in skinny ties, brightly colored sweaters and catchy, Cars-y keyboard riffs. Jules & The Polar Bears are a good example. Their first record, 1978's Got No Breeding, was compared to Dylan, The Kinks and Springsteen. Personally, I hear a quirky Jackson Browne in the songwriting. Everything sounds bearded and mid-tempo, except Jules Shear, the singer. He gives the band a distinct sound with his "singing at the top of my range" yelp. But even with Shears' interesting squelch, the songs never break out of 70s rock conformity. The guitarist's resemblance to a member of Orleans or Doobie Brothers is telling. Enter 1979's "Fenêt...
Post a Comment
Read more

Strawbs - Hero and Heroine

The Strawbs were an English group that dabbled in tasty genres like folk, progressive and glam rock. They are a band that I want... No! I need to dig into more. Rick Wakeman played with them before departing for Yes in 1970. Not nearly as technical as other prog bands, The Strawbs incorporated the softer sounds of fantasy and psychedelic pop. Melody was at the forefront of their songs, unlike groups like King Crimson or ELP who were more invested in musical gymnastics. At times, vocalist David Cousins can sound like early Peter Gabriel, which I like. There is nothing quite like the punch of mellotron combined with bombastic drums and wizard-like vocals. And that's what The Strawbs' "Hero and Heroine" delivers! Are you game for adventure? Suspend your scabbard from your baldric and bring along a flagon of wine. Here is the map for your journey. Click play and take the first step of your quest.
Post a Comment
Read more