Hidden Gem:
Morrissey
Viva Hate
1988 | Sire

Considering the amount of records in my collection (somewhere upwards of two thousand), it’s amazing to me how embarrassingly unfamiliar I’ve been with Morrissey, ex-Smiths singer and perennial provocateur, until about a week ago. I’ve been largely blank on 1980’s “alternative rock” (barring the subjects of Michael Azerrad’s chronicle of the 80s DIY scene, Our Band Could Be Your Life), finding the “state-of-the-art,” digital production quality of most 80’s rock music unlistenable. Replacements, Hoodoo Gurus, Killing Joke, etc., all have great songs, but the tinny production quality – all treble, drums sound synthetic (and usually are), lead guitars mixed as though they’re in the next room – drives me up the wall.
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