Morrissey "Southpaw Grammar" LP The Smiths VG+ UK

$

80

  Morrissey-Southpaw Grammar LP  RCA (UK)   Description: Southpaw Grammar is the fifth solo album by the British alternative rock singer Morrissey. It was released in August 1995 and charted at number 66 in the United States and at number 4 in the United Kingdom. The singles lifted from it were "Dagenham Dave" (which reached number 26 in the UK Singles Chart in August 1995) and "The Boy Racer" (which reached number 36 in the UK Singles Chart in October 1995).

On its release Southpaw Grammar was an eyebrow raiser with fans and critics alike. Following the success of Vauxhall and I, often considered to be Morrissey's finest solo moment, this was a change in direction.

The nature of the album is certainly different from past Morrissey releases. Musically, the inclusion of two tracks which surpass the ten minute mark, the near two and half minute drum solo courtesy of Spencer Cobrin which opens the track "The Operation" and the sampling of a Shostakovich1 symphony have led some to dub this album as "Morrissey's flirtation with prog-rock". Some critics were impressed by this apparent attempt at progression, while others dismissed the longer tracks as mere self-indulgence. By this album Morrissey had been writing with Alain Whyte and Boz Boorer for almost as long as he had been writing with Johnny Marr by the time of the Smiths' demise. The catchy pop numbers are by no means gone, as proven by the two singles "Dagenham Dave" and "The Boy Racer". There are no ballads on this album.

According to Morrissey himself, the title refers to 'the school of hard knocks', that is, boxing (a southpaw being slang for a boxing left-hander and grammar a reference to British grammar schools). Some have taken this a step further and believe Southpaw Grammar to be a concept album about boxing, or just the violence prevalent in modern society in general.

Another reference to boxing is the original cover photo, a photo of boxer Kenny Lane taken from the April 1963 issue of boxing magazine The Ring.

The lyrics are different from those found in Vauxhall and I, though it could be argued the protagonist's quotation in "Reader Meets Author", "no-one ever sees me when I cry", is auto-biographical, which follows in a similar path to the one left by Vauxhall and I.

Opening track "The Teachers Are Afraid of the Pupils" is noteworthy as it is possibly the antithesis of the ideas he put forward in the Smiths song, "The Headmaster Ritual", from their album Meat Is Murder. The theory here is that Morrissey goes from berating the over-zealous administration of discipline, as he saw it, to berating the lack of it. Whether this would be pure hypocrisy or simply a shrewd re-evaluation in light of the abolition of corporal punishment is a moot point.

The critical reception to Southpaw Grammar was mixed. Some fans still regard this as his most exciting work and a brave departure from past success with Vauxhall and I. Q listed it as one of the Top 50 albums of 1995. Some critics gave it bad reviews, but it would be wrong to say there was total condemnation. Indeed, some hailed it as Morrissey's most real, intense and ambitious work yet, others lambasted it as over-orchestrated. The NME were especially damning of their one-time hero, claiming the album was 'a loud mess to sell to America.' It must be borne in mind also that many reviewers commented upon the idiosyncratically English nature of the lyrics, even by Morrissey's standards, so there is no real consensus on which market this album was aimed at.

Year/Label/Number: 1995/RCA/74321299531 (UK) (Does Not Include Book)   Conditions:   Jacket/Sleeve: VG (with spine wear)    Vinyl: VG+   Track Listing:   A1 The Teachers Are Afraid Of The Pupils 11:15 A2 Reader Meet Author 3:39 A3 The Boy Racer 4:45 A4 The Operation 6:52 B1 Dagenham Dave 3:13 B2 Do Your Best And Don't Worry Bass – Boz Boorer 4:05 B3 Best Friend On The Payroll 3:48 B4 Southpaw 10:03 there is a bit of glare from the camera in the photo, its not a defect in the cover.......   All Items listed in the auction are LPs unless otherwise stated.  

• co = drill hole in label or jacket (or saw mark/cut corner on cover)
• djt = dj timing strip (usually a 12" x 4" white sticker on cover detailing titles and playing time)

 

• wlp = white label promo
• woc = writing on cover
• wol = writing on label
• wobc = writing on back cover
• promo stamp = usually gold embossed notice on jacket

Grading:   LPs are graded visually and conservatively under many bright lights. Questionable marks are play graded.   Still Sealed/New: Never opened...still in original shrinkwrap....any tears in the shrinkwrap will be noted in description.   Mint: New condition...Exactly like new, no flaws whatsoever. Nice & Shiny.  Cover will look like it has just been removed from shrinkwrap, or may still have most of the shrinkwrap still on it.   NrMint: Played once, no flaws, but a remote ever-so-slight amount of that shiny luster may be gone.  Jacket will be virtually flawless, slightest signs of wear, maybe one bumped corner, or a hint of edgewear.  Shrinkwrap, if still on, may have some stickers on it.   VG++: Very Good Plus Plus. This record may have some marks(very, very light scratch or a bit of very light sleeve scuffing)that may sound briefly in a quieter passage.   The jacket may have the very lightest signs of ringwear(just barely noticeable), some light corner or edge wear, maybe an old price sticker or two, that should peel off with the proper guidance.   VG+: Very Good Plus. This record will have some light marks(light scratches and light sleeve scuffs), and it might make an occasional pop or crackle in parts, but will not even come close to overwhelming the listening experience.  Still a very desirable grade.. As for the jacket, it will start to show more signs of wear than a VG++ jacket, the ringwear may be slightly more evident, the edgewear or corner wear may be more defined as well.   VG: Very Good. The record may have several scratches and scuffs, though aside from some popping and crackling, will still be an enjoyable listen. No skips here. The jacket will have far more wear than the previous grades, such as:  edgewear to the point of some minor seam splitting(the kind that can be repaired with tape or other means), ringwear(not terrible, but still distracting from the image), edge and corner wear, minor writing or a few stickers, or other similiar defects.   VG- : Not terrible, usually represents 1 or 2 "ugly" marks or scratches, might be a little sketchy in a few spots, other than that would fair as a VG record.  The jacket will show wear - ringwear, seam splits(still should be able to be taped up for repair), some writing and/or stickers, edge and corner wear, or other similiar defects.   Good/Fair/Poor: These conditions will be used sparingly, and will only be sold if the LP itself is insignificant(for example some LP jackets are collectible, and the LP itself has no value). Also these grades will be used for extremely rare vinyl at very affordable blowout prices. Filler only, not recommended for listening.   Please feel free to email with any questions!   Shipping and Handling   All LPs are boxed carefully in corrugated boxes made specifically for LPs, plus the LPs are housed in clear plastic LP sleeves, with either extra newspaper or cardoard as buffering tools. The LP is always removed from cover ( except for SEALED LPs) during shipping to prevent seam splits..   USA:   MEDIA MAIL:   1 LP $4.00  (add $0.50 for each additional LP)   PRIORITY MAIL:   $8.00 1 LP $2.00 each additional LP   Canada   1 LP $7.50
2 LPs $9.50
3 LPs $12.00
4 LPs $14.50
5 LPs $23.50
6 LPs $25.50
Additional quantities can be emailed upon request   Europe/Mexico/South America (Except Italy)   1 LP $14.00
2 LPs $18.00
3 LPs $22.00
4 LPs $26.00
5 LPs $36.50
6 LPs $38.50
7 LPs $42.50
8 LPs $45.00
9 LPs $45.00
10 LPs $48.00
Additional quantities can be emailed upon request
   
Asia/Australia/Pacific Rim   1 LP $15.00
2 LPs $19.00
3 LPs $23.00
4 LPs $27.00
5 LPs $39.00
6 LPs $41.00
7 LPs $45.00
8 LPs $45.00
9 LPs $45.00
10 LPs $48.00
Additional quantities can be emailed upon request
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