While it isn't a gutsy rock & roll record like
Your Arsenal,
Vauxhall and I is equally impressive. Filled with carefully constructed guitar pop gems, the album contains some of
Morrissey's best material since
the Smiths. Out of all of his solo albums,
Vauxhall and I sounds the most like his former band, yet the textured, ringing guitar on this record is an extension of his past, not a replication of it. In fact, with songs like "Now My Heart Is Full" and "Hold on to Your Friends,"
Morrissey sounds more comfortable and peaceful than he ever has. And "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get," "Speedway," and "Spring-Heeled Jim" prove that he hasn't lost his vicious wit. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine