School's About to Start

Insomnia is one of those problems that starts to trickle and sneak its way into too many aspects of your life. While you’re awake far more hours than the average person, it’s likely you'll end up getting far less done because you're feeling chronically exhausted, or as if you’re constantly wandering around in a fog. I’ve been struggling with sleep these past few months, and I’m at least partially blaming my atrocious neighbours who seem hellbent on torturing me from above with the most bizarre noises imaginable.

Luckily, there are some ways to pass the time even if I feel too befuddled to enjoy my usual hobbies like reading. One benefit to the internet (which is perhaps more noticeable to those of us who are slightly... err... more 'mature' and didn't grow up with it) – is that it connects time zones - there’s usually someone awake somewhere. And, as a constant, of course, at any time of day or night – there’s music to listen to. The important thing is to try not to lie there in post-midnight silence (or lack thereof), where the temptation can be to veer off the cliff of overthinking – a habit wandering sleepless minds tend to flirt with recklessly and relentlessly.

Regardless, I’ve had enough of the noise in my place, so I’m taking off to Las Vegas this weekend. But no one really cares about that, what we do care about is...

MORRISSEY IS RELEASING A NEW ALBUM, LOW IN HIGH-SCHOOL, ON NOVEMBER 17TH.

Since I learned Moz and his band were recording in Rome earlier this summer, I have been waiting for this announcement. A couple nights ago, when I couldn’t sleep, a Manchester Evening News article was retweeted onto my Twitter timeline – and my heart soared. Morrissey has signed with BMG, partnering with his own label, Etienne Records.

“There are not many artists around today that can compare to Morrissey. He is an extraordinary talent. He is prodigious, literate, witty, elegant, and above all, courageous. His lyrics, humour, and melodies have influenced many generations. The music on this new landmark record will speak for itself and we are delighted to welcome him to BMG.”

- Korda Marshall,BMG

In addition to the album release date, a tour date at the Hollywood Bowl on November 10^th has been announced. Bliss!

The last time Morrissey played the Hollywood Bowl was in 2007, and some highlights included him wearing a decadently dashing deluxe white suit and singing an exquisite version of Life is a Pigsty and How Soon Is Now. The entire show was brilliant.

“And of course you only have to think of the incredible legends who walked on this stage: Charles Nelson Reilly, Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller... and me.”

Hooray For Hollywood

I’m truly excited about this album, which is described by BMG as"capturing the zeitgeist of an ever changing world."  Politics, veganism, the human condition, love, education, hope, and despair are all topics that lyrics could potentially cover, but I’m not going to over-speculate what it will be like, or what it will necessarily be about –my ears just want to discover and uncover it for themselves. What I do know is the record will be thought-provoking, ground-breaking, soul-stirring, and a beautiful work of art. I look forward (these words aren’t enough) to hearing about it in the coming weeks.

And yes... I can’t wait to sing my heart out to it.

Animal rights tracks on new album?
Moz is a hero for animals - a cow I recently met

I know I'm not the only one who absolutely adores singing along to Moz. One Friday night I had the place to myself, poured a big glass of Malbec, and turned my stereo on to Years of Refusal (as I’ve said before, I love playing this one extra loud!). As the first few notes of I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris engaged my ears, I lacked the inhibition provoked by the presence of other humans, and started CROONING along.

This, of course, led me to ask the question on Twitter....

"Do you have a favourite Moz song to sing at the top of your lungs?"

The first person to answer was my friend and fellow companion in insomnia drenched nights, Vanesa (@vnsdietz) from Argentina, who said she always sings along with Moz. Come to think of it, I usually do too - especially if I'm driving! My question received more answers than I expected - and perhaps the coolest part of it was the variety of songs listed - spanning Mozzer's whole career - from the blazingly uptempo to the mournfully melancholic. Here are your favourites to sing:

How Can Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel?
Hairdresser On Fire
Everyday Is Like Sunday
Staircase At The University (2 votes for this one!)
I Have Forgiven Jesus
The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores
Jeane (the Smiths)
Arthounds (2 votes - my life is opera!)
The Edges Are No Longer Parallel
All You Need Is Me (3 votes!!)
Ask (the Smiths)
Boy With The Thorn In His Side (the Smiths)
Stretch Out And Wait (the Smiths)
Southpaw
Irish Blood, English Heart (top volume in the car!)
Seasick Yet Still Docked
I Want The One I Can't Have (the Smiths)
Glamorous Glue
Our Frank
Sing Your Life
Tomorrow (2 votes!)
Boy Racer
Something Is Squeezing My Skull
Come Back To Camden
Trouble Loves Me
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (the Smiths) (2 votes!)
Action Is My Middle Name
The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get
Miserable Lie (the Smiths)
Nobody Loves Us
Lost

Many people, including myself, acknowledged our favourite musical number to sing changes quite often. For me it was Art Hounds for a few weeks, then I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris, and most recently, Jack The Ripper.  While we love singing along in our homes or cars... I'm not sure how many of us would be willing to sing in front of Moz... remember Rustle's embarrassment when he was asked to sing for our idol?

In other news, Twitter was able to help me out with a fashionable mystery this past week. While searching for info about Morrissey concerts in LA, I became entirely deliciously distracted as I discovered a concert photo of Moz that looks to be from the early 90's. In the picture, he appears to be wearing a cardigan - or double denim - and it's not 100% certain which it could be. If you'll remember, a few times I've had trouble discerning in photos if Morrissey is wearing a cardigan or not, and I took to Twitter to make a poll. Knowing that people would be able to help out with this tremendously important query, I took to Twitter once again.

New cardigan found found found?

As you can see, it's a little perplexing, because the clothing item looks denim-esque - but look again - the CUFFS! With baited breath, I posted the poll, and inwardly prayed cardigan would win...

Here are the results:

Cardigan won with a smashing 76% of the votes!

Some of the write-ins combined the two:

"Denim Cardigan"
"Denigan" (Why didn't I think of this?! - via @loserlicious)
"Cardenim" (And Why didn't I think of this?! via @rubajb)

One lucky person mentioned the first time they saw Moz live in the early 2000's, he wore a cardigan (2002-ish was a very good year for cardigans). I'm thinking it was perhaps paired with either a ruffle shirt or tie-up shirt, like this:

Early 2000's cardigan Moz

Have I discovered a new cardigan photo? And on the day of a tour date announcement again (yes, I know this time it was after)! I've always thought there is something very special about them.

Anyway, thanks for reading...

I'm still rather mystified that I've chosen a trip to Vegas in order to catch up on some sleep...