Been playing this a fair bit in the last fortnight. So Morrissey has gone all world music on us, I guess he hinted at this with his last album Years of Refusal, and seems to have embraced it even more so with the new one.

It took a little longer to get under my skin compared to Refusal, which I pretty much loved on a first listen. It might have something to do with the fact that the album has a total of 18 tracks, which is a lot of music to digest in one sitting. After repeated listens, I think the album holds up to his back catalogue. Staircase At The University, Art Hounds, Kick The Bride Down The Aisle and Mountjoy being the pick of the bunch.

Any other Mozza fans on here care to share their opinions?

I think it's a very strong album, his best since Vauxhall. It rocks less, it's more melodic, the lyrics are beautiful and witty as usual. I agree with you regarding "Staircase At The University", a real gem, among the best tunes on his catalogue. And agree also with "Art-Hounds": intense, deep, try to escape from it: you can't. My other favourite is the title track. I'm really happy with these records. I liked the last ones, but, in my opinion, they were far from his best. This one is near his best, which is saying a lot.

"If you cannot stand this fake world, if you cannot stand this fake world, take my hand if you cannot stand this fake world. I take sixteen pills to send me to sleep and sixteen pills to shake me awake.... What does it mean? What does it mean? What does it mean?"

Best song on the album imo.

I haven't much time to check this new one much. I will now that I've got it on my ipod.
Refusal was really good.
I really like when he stays with rock pop, as already noted this seems more melodic, still on first listen it's a work of merit.
I like the first track especially.