Morrissey - The HMV/Parlophone Singles 88-95

It makes Morrissey sad…

This collection of 19 singles has, of course, been available twice already – once via the original singles (though not the RCA ones, obviously), then as two CDs. But here they are again, in two new formats (3-CD or 7” replicas), and rest assured old Moz has already slated them, claiming that he hasn’t been paid by either label since forever ago.

That’s not to say this isn’t a keen selection. Morrissey is such a great singles artist – as, of course, The Smiths were. Where else would you find the saunter of The More You Ignore Me The Closer I Get, backed with the sombre Used To Be A Sweet Boy? Or Sing Your Life coupled with a Jam cover? Or Skin Storm? Or even, to show it wasn’t all just early luck, the likes of Sunny? Well, here, and on at least two other formats, granted.

It’s lovely to have this lot together and the artist has made equally impressive (and less impressive) records since. Your view of these sets will depend largely on your allegiance to Moz, your bank balance, and how many gaps you still have to fill.

EMI | tbc

Reviewed by Jake Kennedy
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