Morrissey: Greatest Hits (Deluxe Version)

iTunes Review

Featuring two fine new tracks, “That’s How People Grow Up” and “All You Need Is Me,” a live version of Patti Smith’s “Redondo Beach,” and a heavy sampling of tracks from his 2004 release, You Are The Quarry and 2006’s Ringleader of the Tormentors,” Greatest Hits is chiefly a look at the former Smiths singer during his solo career’s second go-round. “Everyday is Like Sunday,” “Last of the Famous International Playboys,” “Suedehead,” and “The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get” represent the older classic standbys, but Morrissey is more eager here to establish his later work. “First of the Gang to Die,” “I Have Forgiven Jesus,” “The Youngest Was the Most Loved,” and “In the Future When All’s Well,” all feature his traditionally emotional delivery, droll wit, and melodic freehand. His music has calmed to a stately, modest pop churn with sturdy guitars and keyboards laying down an unobtrusive foundation for his literate observations on youth gone mad and awry.