Morrissey has become a bit of an embarrassment in recent years, cancelling gigs and tours left right and centre, and seeming to espouse isolationist, extreme rightwing ideas. Back in the 90s though, he was still better known for his music.
With "Your Arsenal" he had a band together and enlisted the help of David Bowie collaborator Mick Ronson to produce this album. Ronson worked with Bowie on his 70s glammy albums, and he is clearly the right person to helm this album, as Morrissey turns down his indie side and cranks up the glam rock a bit. His lyrics had already started to hint at the kind of controversy he now gladly courts, with a song titled "The National Front Disco" which included the chant "England for the English". People were a bit uncomfortable with this, not finding it clear if he was being tongue-in-cheek or not.
Musically though, it's an enjoyable album. Despite the rockier, 'ballsier' sound, my favourite track is the gentle, atmospheric "Seasick, yet still docked".
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