Vinyl: Viva Hate

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General Interest

Viva Hate

2012 two x LP pressing, pressed on heavy weight vinyl. 'Viva Hate' has now been remastered for the first time (supervised by the original producer Steven Street) and comes with brand new artwork, an introduction by Chrissie Hynde and now includes the rare track 'Treat Me Like a Human Being'. Morrissey's debut album 'Viva Hate' was originally released in March 1988 just six months after the release of the final Smiths' album. 'Strangeways, Here We Come'. Keeping the core jangling guitar sound of his previous band, Morrissey's first record provided the ultimate platform for his by-then legendary lyrical abilities, resulting in a set of what would become classic Morrissey tracks: 'Suede head', 'Everyday Is Like Sunday', 'Little Man, What Now' and the 'Margaret on a Guillotine' to name a few. Review Its said that those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. But what if you want to rewrite history Not for the first time (see 2009s Maladjusted and Southpaw Grammar reissues) Morrissey has got out the red pencil. For this version of his first solo album, released in March 1988 just six months after The Smiths split, he replaces The Ordinary Boys with the demo of Treat Me Like a Human Being, a track first aired as a B side to the Glamorous Glue seven-inch released to promote a Very Best of compilation in 2011. As Morrisseys old friend Lady Bracknell might have said as she opened a crate of ale, to tinker with imperfect Moz albums is arguably forgivable, but to tamper with what is arguably still his freshest, most innovative album is a crime less painting a vulgar picture than desecrating it. At least Morrissey has restored Viva Hates original cover, which disappeared when the album was first reissued in 1997. And theres no doubt Treat Me Like a Human Beings gaunt for-whom-the-bell-tolls movement and mood could have been a contenderso why wasnt it worked up then For all that, Viva Hate answered those critics declaring thered be no Morrissey without Marr. At times its even tempting to ask, Johnny who Guitarist Vini Reilly, of The Durutti Column/Manchester indie mafia fame, was an inspired replacement chosen by vilified producer/songwriter Stephen Street, whose simplistic chords and judicious use ofshock horror!programmed drums were an inspired platform for a singer responding to being abandoned not by past loves but his emotionally shattered band partner and best friend of the present day. The fresh urgency of a solo albumfor both Morrissey and Streetis all over Viva Hate. The iconic singles Suedehead and Everyday Is Like Sunday, the dreamy venom of Margaret on the Guillotine, the uncanny rock gallop of I Dont Mind If You Forget Me and the uncanny shuddering dynamic of the lengthy Late Night, Maudlin Street all escaped the pastiche tendencies of Strangeways, Here We Come. True, The Ordinary Boys isnt the albums pinnacle, but it has a sublime Moz vocal and a mood that epitomises Viva Hates bereft and nostalgia-soaked resignation. If were to play the replacement game, surely Bengali in Platforms would be the first to go, but that would be a much more controversial choice. Weirdly, Treat Me Like a Human Being sounds like a postscript from Smiths days, with a hint of the lonely gait of This Night Has Opened My Eyes. A subconscious act of longing for the past, then Vive la diffrence, Moz might think. But, really, theres only one Viva Hate, and this isnt it. -Martin Aston This link will take you offin a new window