Bona Drag

iTunes Review

It has been common British practice for a recording artist to release singles that do not appear on the artist’s current album. Eventually, these singles are collected on a compilation album, and the former Smiths lead singer Steven Morrissey aggressively pursued this avenue both with his old band and as a solo artist. Not surprisingly, given his penchant for the pop form, Morrissey’s singles are often more engrossing and fabulous than his album cuts. A quick scan of the titles here on Bona Drag, his first collection of solo singles and b-sides, and it’s obvious where Morrissey saves his most pointed inspiration. “Suedehead,” “Everyday Is Like Sunday,” (both from his Viva Hate LP) “November Spawned a Monster,” “The Last of the Famous International Playboys” and “Piccadilly Palare” are among Morrissey’s career-defining solo tracks. While he’d lost the definitive group sound of Johnny Marr’s chiming guitars, he indulged his absurd and adventurous lyrics and preening vocal delivery for every melodramatic flourish. Some will find him unbearably silly. But for those who enjoy their self-pity with a tongue planted firmly in cheek, there is no better wit than Morrissey.