My Early Burglary Years

Like *Bona Drag* and *World of Morrissey*, *My Early Burglary Years* collects rarities, already available album tracks, singles and their b-sides in one place for fans who simply can’t keep up. Morrissey has always enjoyed pursuing the British tradition of issuing singles that do not end up on the current studio album. It creates two distinct realities and as a pop prince Morrissey excels at distilling his essence down for the three-minute single. Here, “Sunny” and “Boxers” are the a-sides, but the b-sides are hardly throwaways. There’s a stuttering majesty to “At Amber,” the b-side to “Piccadilly Palare,” a worthy curiosity to the edited version of “I’ve Changed My Plea to Guilty,” the b-side to “My Love Life” and a raw energy to the live version of “Cosmic Dancer.” The addition of “Reader Meet Author” and “The Boy Racer” are a bit superfluous considering their appearance on the *Southpaw Grammar* album. However, it’s difficult to complain about the stellar quality of the material.