Morrissey goes all Wings of Desire on his latest video, a tune from the 2009 b-sides compilation Swords. Craig Carson said of this song last year: “‘Ganglord’ takes on the LAPD, and his venom is palpable: ‘They say ‘to protect and serve’ / But what they really need to say is / Get back to the ghetto.’ Never one to mince words, the track reminds me of the vitriol of the Quarry track ‘Irish Blood, English Heart’, but with a more sinister overtone. Not too many musicians of his stature would offer such unvarnished, ugly truth via a pop song. It’s a positive attribute or an Achilles heel depending on the listener, but one that sets Morrissey apart in a sea of apolitical, empty-headed entertainers.”
