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7.5
111569
7.5 |
A.V. Club
Those who can’t or won’t separate the songs from the performer can’t and shouldn’t be blamed for finding something else with which to stimulate their eardrums—nor could they be blamed for wishing that Morrissey had simply disappeared from public view before entering his foot-in-mouth period
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7.0
111572
7.0 |
All Music
He's sounding a bit like a curmudgeon, but he embraces his eccentricities, which means this contrarianism wears well on record, even if it doesn't in real life
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7.0
111538
7.0 |
Uncut
In fleeting moments it confirms him as a peerless modern practitioner of deep song, the pop artist who can divine, even in the work of the singer of "Brand New Key," lorca's dark, abysmal spirit of duende. Print edition only
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7.0
111599
7.0 |
Rolling Stone
‘California Son’ features songs by Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Buffy Sainte-Marie. But what is Moz trying to say?
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6.5
111941
6.5 |
Spectrum Culture
An enjoyable romp through ‘60s and ‘70s AM pop that never feels forced or needlessly over-the-top
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6.0
111651
6.0 |
Evening Standard
Morrissey’s unmistakeable voice makes every song his own
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6.0
111536
6.0 |
The Arts Desk
Musical vamping is welcome from this dour enigma
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6.0
111539
6.0 |
Mojo
Versions of Joni Mitchell's Don't Interrupt The Sorrow and Bob Dylan's Only A Pawn In Their Game are surprisingly persuasive. Elsewhere, it's like being imprisoned in the teenage Moz bedroom/brain. Print edition only
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6.0
111559
6.0 |
The Irish Times
Overall, it’s an album for fans only – and for Morrissey himself, probably
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5.9
111584
5.9 |
Pitchfork
Morrissey and some (barely audible) high-profile guests rework 12 of his favorite ’60s and ’70s songs by American artists to mixed results
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4.0
111592
4.0 |
The FT
The latest from the former Smiths frontman delivers some diverting covers and some utterly unlistenable notes
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4.0
111629
4.0 |
Under The Radar
This level of steady, maintained mediocrity will only make it harder and harder for all but his staunchest fans to continue caring
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4.0
111643
4.0 |
The Independent
Missteps might be forgiven if you could dissociate the music from the man
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4.0
111679
4.0 |
Q
Below-par covers album can't mask those reputational issues. Print edition only
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4.0
111535
4.0 |
NME
The unofficial line is that Morrissey has recorded a covers album to allow the music to speak for itself. What 'California Son' is saying is that it's not very good
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2.0
111568
2.0 |
The Guardian
Clumsy covers with a troll-like spirit
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1.0
111537
1.0 |
Exclaim
It's just terminally boring. Do not listen to this album
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