Maladjusted
Heaven knows Morrissey is still miserable. True to form on his sixth solo album, Maladjusted, the Mozz pens lyrics that range from laughably snide ("I don't get along with myself/And I'm not too keen on anyone else") to laughably insufferable ("I praise the day that brings you pain"). But despite his predictability, Maladjusted is Morrissey's strongest musical effort since his 1988 solo debut, Viva Hate. "Alma Matters" is the most perfect bittersweet pop confection that Morrissey has done since his days with the Smiths. Other highlights on Maladjusted are the lush piano ballad "Trouble Loves Me," the foot-stomping rock of "He Cried" and the galloping closer, "Satan Rejected My Soul," cash held together by — you guessed it — themes of reflection, longing and despair. Happiness, it was really nothing.