I once observed, over on the old blog, Morrissey had never cracked the trick of releasing three great LPs in a row, and I was worried that having got the critics eating out of his hand with You Are The Quarry and Ringleader of The Tormentors, the next album, whenever it came out and whatever it was called, would receive a panning just because it was time to again turn on the great man.
Well, the charm offensive deployed by Morrissey with journalists at the time of the records’ release worked in some ways, because Years Of Refusal, while not being lavished with praise, hasn’t been slaughtered in too many places. But in the views of this long time fan, it is a bit of a disappointment, and in many ways this is demonstrated by the rather lacklustre first ‘new’ single taken from it (remembering that two other tracks were also singles but these were also featured on a previous Greatest Hits compilation from 2008).
I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris isn’t an awful song, but it isn’t all the good either. It’s all just a bit too mundane, and I don’t think a man of the stature of Morrissey should do mundane.
The new songs on the b-side are also fairly average – almost a case of ‘Morrissey By Numbers’ – but Shame Is The Name is worth a listen for the mere fact that it features a backing vocal from Chrissie Hynde.
And the live recording of one of the great old record by The Smiths from 17 October 2007 at the Genesse Theatre, Waukegan in Illinois is an sad illustration and example of the criticism often levelled at his band’s ability to destroy the subtlety, class and poise of the original…..
It only reached #21 on its week of release in the UK back in February 2009, despite the chance for something a great many Morrissey fans of both sexes to finally get their hands on something they had wanted for ages* – a naked image of the singer – thanks to the inner sleeve of the 7″ single.
mp3 : Morrissey – I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris
mp3 : Morrissey – Because Of My Poor Education
mp3 : Morrissey – Shame Is The Name
mp3 : Morrissey – Death Of A Disco Dancer (live)
*Not this particular fan I should mention….but Mrs Villain was quite taken by it and wondered why, although he is older than me, Morrissey is skinnier than me. I reckon it’s a combination of photoshop and that he’s clearly holding his belly in….
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 
I’m totally with you on this one JC. I seem to remember a lot of reviews praised the single, but I was rather ‘meh’ about it. ‘Something Is Squeezing My Skull’ was a much better single, and ‘Black Cloud’ really ought to have been put out.
Funny, I have to bring up the other side here. I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris is one of Moz’s best and most memorable songs for me. What’s great about it to these ears is that it doesn’t take a lot of listening to the track to “get” it. It has a really natural, relaxed and complete feel to it as well. It also doesn’t outstay it’s welcome, short and sharp.
I feel duty bound to mention Harry Hill doing this very track on TV Burp. Got to 21m 41 in http://youtu.be/6uulHGFE5PQ