Bona Drag

Morrissey | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 8, 1990)
• Original Release Date: November 6, 1990
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000002LLI
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,860 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Miserable Morrisey's "Drag", May 22, 1999

By 

Steve Bradford (Frederick, MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bona Drag (Audio CD)

Former "Smiths" frontman Steve Morrissey had plenty to sing about after his departure from one of Manchester's most prolific bands, The Smiths. His patented whine and curious songwriting made him hip in the '80s. His songs were hardly one of inspiration. Indeed, many music listeners during this time turned to alternative for as sense of reality; far from the bubbly, happy-go-annoying music that perpetuated the big '80s music scene.

Yet Morrisey took his brand of musical misery to new heights. Already popular after the Smiths, "Bona Drag" is a compilation of his early solo music. It delights and excites! Songs like "Suedehead," mocked the punk rockers who were letting their hair grow out, and thus, becoming ostracized. "Interesting Drug" prods both animal rights and English politics. While "Last of the Famous International Playboys" (clearly one of Morrisey's best works) haggles two of England's most infamous criminals, Reggie and Ronny Kray. Other standouts such as "Ouija board..." and "Hairdresser on Fire" lend to Morrisey's inspirational side. He's one charmer and lend many hints to his subdued abilities.

Both Smith's and Morrissey fans will be glad to know that minus guitar player/songwriter Jonny Marr, the original Smiths bassist and drummer play on most of these songs. Furthermore, the very cripst guitar of Stephen Street give Morrissey an added fluidity. These songs can be found on the now-rare "Morrissey-'Hulmerist'" VHS video.

"Bona Drag" is a compilation of Morrissey's best work, I believe. His latter work has gone more raw and unforgiving. It lacks much of the emotion and catchyness of his earlier work. Yet I really enjoyed the "Bona Drag" compilation. I think you will too!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars i's quite good, then, June 10, 2003

By 

Jay Scott (Maineville, OH United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bona Drag (Audio CD)

This is the album that made me...well, maybe not a Morrissey fan, per se, but at least turned me onto a smatch of previously obscure tunes that quickly became personal favorites.

The impetus behind my buying this album in '90 escapes me, as I wasn't familiar with even one tune. But my blind leap of faith was rewarded for, even though I was just out of my teens, I was still a moody bugger and Morrissey's incessant whine and English misery were a perfect soundtrack for my life.

As I've grown on, I've continued to appreciate the tunes for what they are: well-crafted, alternately dark and whimsical pop tunes. It's a fine collection of a-sides and equally worthy b-sides, with an album track or two thrown in for full measure. Some of these tunes are not available on album elsewhere, so you should complement, or at least begin (and possibly end) your Morrissey collection here.

In today's age of (add nausea here) punk-metal, rap-punk, blah blah blah, all of it being faux-punk (see any current excessively tattooed band for examples of this), real and respectable pop music such as this is a rare and welcome treat. Where is our Morrissey of today? And please don't say John Mayer.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mozzer During His Glory Solo Years., August 13, 2002

By 

The Groove (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bona Drag (Audio CD)

Since the Smiths disbanded in 1987, Morrissey's solo work has been as consistent as the cash flow in my checking account. But if you want a one-stop guide to Mozzer at his solo peak, "Bona Drag" is the way to go. This compilation of singles, b-sides, and album cuts covering 1988-1990 shows the many sides of Morrissey: cynical, detatched, hilarious, and insightful. "Yes, I am Blind," "Will Never Marry," and "Everyday Is Like Sunday" reinforce Mozzer as one of pop's leading prophets of gloom. And I'm probably the only person who doesn't think "Ouija Board" is the disaster many people think it is. Other key favorites of mine are the lovely "Disappointed" and the well-crafted "He Knows I'd Love to See Him." Some casual listeners may turn a contemptuous nose at this album, arguing that it isn't on par with his work with the Smiths. To that I say, "rubbish." "Bona Drag" is a fine album on its own terms, and it's a great place to introduce yourself to one of Britian's great lyricists.