California Son
by Morrissey
  • Record Label: BMG
  • Release Date: May 24, 2019
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 15
  3. Negative: 2 out of 15
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  1. The Telegraph (UK)
    May 30, 2019
    80
    If a great cover version should reveal new dimensions in both song and singer, then this album is filled with them.
  2. The A.V. Club
    May 23, 2019
    75
    Without the baggage of his political views--which is where the letter grade on this review comes from--California Son would be a worthy addition to a mostly stellar catalog, offering insight into a great singer and lyricist’s taste and breathing new life into mostly forgotten songs.
  3. Variety
    May 24, 2019
    73
    Committing to kitschy ’60s bliss as much as that era’s real or imagined war zones allows Morrissey and California Son a chance to find a (literal) voice in a way he hasn’t in ages. It would just be an even greater feat if Morrissey could make more of its finer musical moments jibe with his personal vibes.
  5. Rolling Stone
    May 24, 2019
    70
    For California Son, the Pope of Mope has picked 12 lilting tales of injustice and unrequited love by some of his favorite artists and re-orchestrated them for his voice, improving some and turning others into head scratchers.
  6. AllMusic
    May 23, 2019
    70
    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.
  7. Uncut
    May 21, 2019
    70
    California Son may not entirely succeed in repositioning Morrissey as a righteous protest singer, boldly crooning truth to power, but in fleeting moments like this [like on "Some Say I Got Devil"], 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. [Jun 2019, p.28]
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User Reviews

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User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 24
  3. Negative: 4 out of 24
  1. Crumpler4
    May 26, 2019
    9
    What an enjoyable insight in to Morrissey’s mind. The song selection is perfect, just the right mix of well known songs verses somewhatWhat an enjoyable insight in to Morrissey’s mind. The song selection is perfect, just the right mix of well known songs verses somewhat obscure. Wedding Bell Blues gets a pretty straightforward rendering that Morrissey keeps light. Loneliness Remembers keeps Dionne Warwick’s version alive within Morrissey’s vocal delivery. The production is at times heavy but it helps the album maintain a 60’s theme through a spin of the entire album. Really it’s what I’ve been hoping for from Morrissey for the last ten years. Nice job Moz.… Full Review »
  2. littlebylittle
    May 27, 2019
    10
    excellent!! N e lo pierdan. merece la pena la revisión de estos clásicos por Morrissey
  3. RafaelSeixas
    May 26, 2019
    6
    É um trabalho 'ok'. Instrumentalmente falando é bem bonito, em certos momentos os arranjos são simples e objetivos, em outros momentos sãoÉ um trabalho 'ok'. Instrumentalmente falando é bem bonito, em certos momentos os arranjos são simples e objetivos, em outros momentos são imponentes e dão um ótimo peso às faixas que precisam (Some Say I Got Devil ilustra bem). Mas ainda assim fiquei incomodado com um certo jeito "karaokê" de bar que este álbum traz, pessoalmente não me agradou. Os arranjos levam este álbum "nas costas" por grande parte do tempo. "ok" é uma definição adequada.… Full Review »
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