His Irish blood and English heart has been putting pen to paper and Morrisey’s candid autobiography has been causing quite a stir on the music scene. John Meagher spoke to us about it on Breakfast this morning as well as all the rest of this week's best new releases and gigs
Listen to the podcast here:
TALKING POINT
Morrissey's explosive memoir, Autobiography, published by Penguin Classics. It's the antidote to the anodyne celebrity biographies out there. A hugely entertaining book, it lays into just about everyone who crossed paths with the ex-Smiths frontman, including ex-bandmate Mike Joyce, label boss Geoff Travis, 60s icon Sandie Shaw and veteran Irish broadcaster Henry Kely. It's number one in the paperback charts here and in the UK and with good reason - Morrissey shoots from the lip like never before.
TIP OF THE WEEK
A collection of songs from the late, great Rory Gallagher called Kickback City - but what makes this different is the fact that it is half-album, half-noir crime novel. Written by the acclaimed Ian Rankin, and beautifully illustrated, it is an intriguing marriage of music and literature. Hats off to Rory's brother Donal who continues to manage his estate with great sensitivity. Incidentally, the third CD in this project finds actor Aidan Quinn reading Rankin's words.
ALBUM OF THE WEEK
By rights, it's Arcade Fire's fourth, Reflektor, but I haven't heard it yet because its under lock and key and their record company until release tomorrow. We will be talking about it next week, and have some copies of the album to give away. In the meantime, this is a taste of what to expect when it is released tomorrow, it’s the title track from the album
Less guarded are the people releasing the second album from the female-fronted American indie band, Polica.
Fans of Portishead and The xx will find plenty to appreciate in the slow-burning, noctural songs on Shulamith.
GIG OF THE WEEK
Suede in the Olympia, Dublin, on Bank Holiday Monday night. 20 years ago, they were the most exciting young band in Britain - and then they went off the rails creatively. But their latest album, Bloodsports, is the sound of a band revitalised and if they can live up to the promise shown on that record this gig will be one to savour.
