After a hugely acrimonious and very public break up from The Smiths, Viva Hate was Morrissey's first foray into the world of pop as a solo artist. With the advent of the Baggy movement and the first inklings of an underground rave culture - the Mancunian soundtrack had certainly grown up from the days of The Smith's eponymous 1984 album.

Viva Hate could have so easily belly flopped into the changing musical soundscape, so great was the public expectancy of his first album. But of course, Morrissey didn't do any such thing. With inspired guitars from Durutti Column's Vini Reily and the taught production values of Stephen Street, Viva Hate manages to find the perfect balance between pop and sincerity.

Containing both 'Suede Head 'and 'Everyday is Like Sunday', which surely rank among the highest of any solo or Smiths tracks, Viva Hate has been somewhat brushed aside in recent years in favour of some of the bigger hitters like Your Arsenal, Vauxhall & I and even to some extent You are the Quarry!

Viva Hate reaches its highest notes when the delectable Mozzer is doing what he does best and having a sublime moan. He wanders from a savage attack ("And people like you make me feel so old inside! Please die!") on Margaret on a Guillotine, back to conventional Morrisseyan deapair in 'I Don't Mind if You Forget Me' (" Having learned my lesson, I never left an impression on anyone").

Blending wit, melodrama and his knowledge of what makes a great tune - Stephen Patrick Morrissey sounded as good then as he does now!

Kris Shaw