Your Arsenal - Morrissey > Reviews > Seasick, Yet Still Docked

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	A well produced and strong album
Disadvantages:	A bit gloomy for some

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Your Arsenal was first released by Morrissey in July 1992. The album had a more aggressive, distorted glammy sound than previous Morrissey work and was produced by Mick Ronson.

Your Arsenal was generally seen as a return to form by the singer after the lukewarm reception to his previous album 1991's 'Kill Uncle'.

The Songs:

'You're Gonna Need Someone On Your Side'

The glam feel of the album is evident on the first song which strives to be a glammy stomper although a rockabilly element is present. It's a decent enough song but nothing special and lacks an immediate chorus.

In typical Morrissey fashion the song details his urge to stand by someone despite the possibility of rejection. 'Here I am,' he announces before adding 'Well you don't need to look so pleased!' Morrissey wrote this song with guitarist Mark E. Nevin. 7/10

'Glamorous Glue'

Another glam stomper in the vein of the first single. It's probably a slightly better song. The song is about Morrissey's perception that London and Britain is losing some cultural status in the world;

'We look to Los Angeles
For the language we use'

The influence of Mick Ronson is very noticeable on the album already and the album has a rich sound. 7/10

'We'll Let You Know'

A change of pace, this slower song goes a bit folksy but is about football hooligans!

'We will descend
On anyone unable to defend'

We'll Let You Know has some lovely acoustic guitars on it and a knotty set of lyrics. A very unusual Morrissey song but one that is highly regarded by his fans. 7/10

'The National Front Disco'

A terrific pop song which raised a few eyebrows with its title and lyrics ('England for the English' etc). The song is actually about the sadness of 'losing' someone, in this case to a far right group;

'Your mum says :
"I've lost my boy"

And by painting a picture of the National Front having a twee little disco, Morrissey makes them look ludicrous more than anything. The song though is excellent and a much needed injection of old fashioned guitar pop at this stage of the album. 8/10

'Certain People I Know'

The rockabilly that Morrissey used to flirt with to mixed effect in the early nineties returns on this gentle, pleasant but probably not hugely essential addition to the album. The song is very lighthearted and throwaway. 6/10

'We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful'

Another top pop song with a typical Morrissey title and themes;

'Oh, look at those clothes
Now look at that face, it's so old
And such a video !
Well, it's really laughable'

Morrissey's periodic penchant for eccentric vocal contortions returns here to good effect with a laughing vocal on the chorus. 8/10

'You're The One For Me Fatty'

'All over Battersea, some hope and some despair' sings Morrissey. A very gentle and simple pop song with a very catchy chorus. It's a nice song but I do much prefer the live version. A faster pace and a bit more spark (as in the live version) lifts the song and makes it a bit taller. I feel the album version of the song didn't quite do it justice. 7/10

'Seasick, Yet Still Docked'

A beautiful song with lovely acoustic guitars which remind one of Johnny Marr and the introspective ambition and scope of The Smiths. Morrissey doesn't do an awful lot with the song with his singing but his lyrics catch the sadness of the music;

'Scavenging through life's very constant lulls'.

The music is wonderful and lifts the song up. 8/10

'I Know It's Gonna Happen Someday'

Very much in the spirit of Smiths songs like 'Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me'. Morrissey goes slightly into fifties crooner mode in this would be epic which doesn't quite reach the heights of The Smiths similar experiments, but is interesting nonetheless.

The song is bookended by a strange and atmospheric sample of people speaking in German as a crackly radio tunes in and out. 8/10

'Tomorrow'

After the melodrama of the previous two songs Morrissey wisely ends the album by giving us another precise and hooky pop song. The song has a terrific guitar intro. 'All I ask of you is one thing that you'll never do, would you put your arms around me?' sings Morrissey. He uses the song to spin a very Morrissey preoccupation with rejection, loneliness and wanting to make a connection with someone. 8/10

Overall

Your Arsenal is a very solid addition to the Morrissey catalogue, although not the best or most loveable record he has made as a solo artist. Mick Ronson's production and musical contributions lift the whole album up a notch and make it more interesting than it might have been with a lesser talent at the helm. The music on songs like Seasick, Yet Still Docked really does remind you of Johnny Marr.

It is not an immediate album to get into to with some dark and slightly strange songs. There is though a trio (plus the pleasant 'You're The One For Me Fatty') of great pop songs craftily placed through the record. Just when Your Arsenal starts to meander or test your patience, an immediate burst of pop rekindles your interest and adds to the overall effect of the album.

Not perfect but an interesting and well produced album.

Singing/Lyrics Morrissey
Guitars Boz Boorer/Alan Whyte
Bass Gary Day
Drums Spencer Corbrin