I was a Smiths fan rather than a Morrissey fan; never liked his solo stuff though I have to admit the new album is damn good. I guess the Smiths were one of those English bands, like (frinstance) Suede, who just never made the Atlantic crossing. Stateside fans have long been supporters of "eccentric" English acts like XTC, Robyn Hitchcock, Bill Nelson etc., people whose careers may not have flourished without that extra Transatlantic vote of confidence, but I guess there are some, like the Smiths, Suede and a few more like them, who never quite connected. Pity really.
I promise to say something about comics, some time, honest! 
It's OK, Brendan, you're one of my few music fan readers! I really should devote more space to it.
I simply never really "got" The Smiths. I've known people who dug them, and I did try to listen, but it all just kinda sounded bland and generic, and Morrisey's charisma never really came across to me.
I did consider, and may still one of these days, pick up Your Arsenal, because Mick Ronson produced it...
I'm glad someone else feels that way about the current Swamp Thing run (that it's travelling over already travelled ground). I don't mind it...I'm enjoying it, but I'm anxious for the set-up for this series to complete and to go off in a new direction.
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