Released 36 years ago this October
Bona Drag
Morrissey · 1990
49 min · 14 tracks · alternative rock
A collection of melodic indie pop gems infused with Morrissey's signature lyrical wit and sardonic charm.
Top tracks — play these first
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Everyday Is Like Sunday — This track stands out for its melancholic melody paired with biting commentary on mundane life, encapsulating Morrissey's ability to blend sadness with humor.
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Piccadilly Palare — The song's vibrant instrumentation and clever wordplay reflect Morrissey's charm and wit while exploring themes of identity and sexuality.
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Interesting Drug — With its catchy chorus and sharp lyrics criticizing societal norms, this track exemplifies Morrissey's knack for blending pop sensibilities with provocative content.
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November Spawned a Monster — This song showcases a deeper emotional range, tackling themes of alienation and disability with haunting sincerity, further establishing Morrissey's lyrical prowess.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong melodies and clever lyrics but lacks a cohesive narrative flow.
What we noticed
- The album opens with two upbeat tracks that set a lively tone, followed by a series of mid-tempo songs that maintain a consistent mood.
- The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a reflective atmosphere that contrasts with the earlier material.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- mid-tempo reflection on life
- witty lyrics with melancholic undertones
- steady pacing for thoughtful listening
- introspective moments for solitude
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy excitement
- prefer standalone hit singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Showcases Morrissey's growing stature with hit singles post-debut album.
- Career context
- Bona Drag is a compilation album released in 1990, shortly after Morrissey's successful debut solo album, Viva Hate, which came out the previous year. This release showcases his growing stature as a solo artist, featuring a mix of singles from his early career, including tracks previously unavailable on albums. It solidified his post-Smiths identity while highlighting his knack for crafting poignant and often provocative lyrics.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Smiths· Pulp· Echo & the Bunnymen
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Piccadilly Palare 3:26
- 2 Interesting Drug 3:27
- 3 November Spawned a Monster 5:25
- 4 Will Never Marry 2:22
- 5 Such a Little Thing Makes Such a Big Difference 2:51
- 6 The Last of the Famous International Playboys 3:37
- 7 Ouija Board, Ouija Board 4:25
- 8 Hairdresser on Fire 3:50
- 9 Everyday Is Like Sunday 3:33
- 10 He Knows I’d Love to See Him 3:08
- 11 Yes, I Am Blind 3:44
- 12 Lucky Lisp 2:51
- 13 Suedehead 3:54
- 14 Disappointed 3:05
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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