Many people sort of like Aerosmith, many sort of like a few R.E.M songs and many people can sort of stomach a few Eminem songs. However, it would be nearly impossible to find a person who “sort of” likes Morrissey and, to a lesser extent, the Smiths.

Morrissey was the brilliant lyricist and singer for the Smiths for five years in the 1980s and since the breakup of the group he has had a fairly successful solo career with many of his albums gaining critical acclaim. His lyrics are highly literate, sophisticated and often deal with sexuality, loneliness and self-loathing. Morrissey also commands what is arguably one of the most devoted followings in music.

His most recent album “Ringleader of the Tormentors” came out in April of this year and a tour subsequently followed. Morrissey’s only US stop on his current tour was last Tuesday at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago.

The array of attendees at the event was varied, but every person there had one thing in common; a desire to see the enigmatic singer take the stage. Opener Kristeen Young put on a short and mildly enjoyable set; however, there was absolutely no question that every single person in attendance was there to see Morrissey.

Morrissey came out in one of his trademark red shirts with a black tie and joked to the audience that, “so, you see, rumors of my death have been quite exaggerated.”

To the great delight of fans, Morrissey opened with the Smiths’ classic, “Panic,” followed by one of his solo concert favorites, “First of the Gang to Die.”

To the pleasure of everyone in attendance Morrissey performed five Smiths songs throughout the night including, “Panic,” “William It Was Really Nothing,” “Girlfriend In A Coma,” “How Soon Is Now?” and “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want.”

Whether Morrissey solo purists would like to admit it or not, Morrissey gets the biggest cheers when he plays Smiths songs. That is not to say that his solo songs are not appreciated, quite the opposite actually. It is just that every song in the Smiths’ catalog is lauded by every Morrissey fan.

A large handful of the songs in the set came off of “Ringleader,” with old favorites such as “Everyday Is Like Sunday,” “Disappointed” and “Irish Blood, English Heart” being played to the delight of all involved.

Morrissey was more talkative than usual throughout the over-90-minute set as he spoke about topics ranging from the improved toilet paper at the Aragon to the fact that he is ignored by the U.S. press.

Morrissey encored with the shortest Smiths song the band ever recorded, “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want,” which was a much-welcomed song but a poor choice for an encore, considering its studio length of one minute and fifty seconds.

With a solid set list, a great venue and a vibrant Morrissey, no one in attendance at the Aragon last Tuesday could have asked for a better night. He is one of a kind indeed.

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