All the heavy lifting of his comeback finished, Morrissey settles into a robust middle age on Years of Refusal, an evocation of his thick Your Arsenal sound that doesn't feel like a conscious re-creation -- rather, this just is who Moz is, an old brawler who refuses to hang up his gloves or settle a grudge. The sound remains the same but the songs don't quite: although this is also produced by Jerry Finn, this isn't the deliberate revival of You Are the Quarry, all sharp edges and metallic sheen, the better to rope in the young emo kids who came of age after Maladjusted, nor is it the gentle prog pretensions of the Tony Visconti-produced Ringleader of the Tormentors. Years of Refusal is comfortable in its settled nature, in its roaring guitars and swaying melodies, sometimes ratcheting up the aggression -- especially so on the tight, compacted opener, "Something Is Squeezing My Skull" -- but often just riding along, assured in its might and wit, never feeling the need to change for change's sake. Such conservatism has long been part of Morrissey's makeup -- when everybody pined for a synthesized future in the Thatcher/Reagan years, he sought refuge in the past -- and now that he has people paying attention again, he's fine with not changing the sound and writing songs about his happy middle-aged miserablism, a miserablism that increasingly feels like a device to fuel Morrissey's satire. Morrissey has never been reluctant to turn his wit upon himself but he relishes sending up his moping persona and advancing age here, resulting in some excellent quips and asides, along with some nicely honed ballads like "You Were Good in Your Time." Along with "That's How People Grow Up," where the perennially broken-hearted Moz acknowledges that there are worse things in life than never being someone's sweetie, this song is the best example of how Morrissey is feeling his years -- contrary to the implications within the album's title, he's not fretting about his age but throwing his arms around it, giving Years of Refusal a nicely comfortable feel that's welcome after the slightly strident overtones of its predecessors. Nothing here is surprising, of course, but Years of Refusal is a full-bodied, full-blooded album that also happens to be fully realized -- even if it is on a rather modest scale.
I realize that this review is a bit behind the times, as the album dropped four months ago. Regardless, I actually have time to listen to music now (which makes me very happy) and for this reason, I’m reviewing albums that I’ve been meaning to post about for ages.If you’re a Moz fan, you probably already own this album, but just in case you don’t, let me tell you why you need to listen to
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The Morrissey comeback of 2004 - with the excellent 'You Are The Quarry' - saw a seven year stockpile of Morrissey lyrics and songs, written with the same key collaborators he's had since 1992, become arguably the most critically and ...
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Album number nine, left holding the baby, the latest effort from of one England's most famous sons. Simon Rueben reviews.
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Just listened to the eagerly awaited new single from Morrissey and its brilliant.Not usually a big Mozza fan but I have to say I enjoyed this one a hugely.That is all
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Sounds beautiful but the tunes are totally unfocused. It's like he basically made Malajusted all over again, only without something as catchy as "Alma Maters". The mighty Mozzer does this every few albums. He puts out a few great records and then runs out of ideas before flailing around a bit and regaining his ground. Strangeways Here We Come and Viva Hate led to Kill Uncle , Your Arsenal a...
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Album number nine, left holding the baby, the latest effort from of one England's most famous sons. Simon Rueben reviews.
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New Morrissey single, I'm Throwing my Arms Around Paris from his forthcoming album Years of Refusal. Of course it sounds epic and full of Moz's grandeur-- would we expect anything less? Nobody seems to want his love, sound familair? I want something more, it's missing something and no not Johnny Marr but to me it sounds more of the same from Morrissey.What do you think?
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Tonight’s performance is the second of four Irish dates on Morrissey’s ‘Tour Of Refusal’, which surprisingly doesn’t include a stop-off in Dublin. Not that State is complaining, though. In fact, the change of scenery is quite welcome. The pleasant seafront promenades, the uniquely laid-back atmosphere and the noticeable absence of touts are some of the…
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After only one listen, I can tell you that Morrissey has done it again. This is a great album. I only wish that I hadn't gone and purchased it at Barnes and Noble and spent 10 dollars more (for two CD's) than I would have on Amazon. Putting that aside, I am excited to listen to this and nothing else for a few weeks. Thanks Moz.
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Filter reports: In a recent interview with Filter magazine, Morrissey talked about his music, his life, the new record (Years of Refusal, February 17), and as you will find below, the prospect of quitting the biz. Here's the nugget:How many more years do you want to continue making music? Morrissey: "I don't want to go on much longer, really. I think that would suggest a lack of imagination. A ...
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Thew new Morrissey album Years of Refusal was almost the subject of some debate at the record store until we all decided not to argue if it was good or bad and just agree that “it sounds like a Morrissey album.” Sure, as Colin Meloy might say, it’s got a little more cock rock to [...]
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Morrissey and his band mates get fully naked for the inner sleeve of the upcoming I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris single. 7" inch (yes, insert 7" joke here) records cover up a certain area on each member (ha, ha, member). Got to give Moz some credit to do a photo like this at 50 years of age. We love his sense of humor. Well done. The single for I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris is du...
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I am still shaking out the cobwebs after being in Ohio visiting family for the past 9 days. Hopefully everyone's holidays were great. While i try to come out of my post-holiday coma, you can head over to Stereogum to listen to a new track from Morrissey's upcoming album Years of Refusal. The song is [...]
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Morrissey's spankin' new album Years Of Refusal leaked recently and after one listen I can tell you I enjoyed the album from start to finish. I wouldn't be able to review/rate it on a 1-10 scale or anything yet, but I could tell you that the album kept my attention and a few songs did [...]
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Just listened to the eagerly awaited new single from Morrissey and its brilliant.Not usually a big Mozza fan but I have to say I enjoyed this one a hugely.That is all
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I realize that this review is a bit behind the times, as the album dropped four months ago. Regardless, I actually have time to listen to music now (which makes me very happy) and for this reason, I’m reviewing albums that I’ve been meaning to post about for ages.If you’re a Moz fan, you probably already own this album, but just in case you don’t, let me tell you why you need to listen to
More >
The Morrissey comeback of 2004 - with the excellent 'You Are The Quarry' - saw a seven year stockpile of Morrissey lyrics and songs, written with the same key collaborators he's had since 1992, become arguably the most critically and ...
More >
2009 has been quite a year for Morrissey. He's toured relentlessly, performing to sold-out audiences around the world. His 9th studio album, Years Of Refusal, saw Morrissey tie his highest US chart debut on the Billboard 200, and he's overseen upgraded and remastered versions of his '90s works Southpaw Grammar and Maladjusted. Crowning what is
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Morrissey fans can now head over to the singer's MySpace where he is currently previewing the first single off his forthcoming album 'Years Of Refusal '. The single, 'I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris ', is set for release February 9 to be followed by his album 'Years Of Refusal ' on February 17. Morrissey - 'Hold Onto Your Friends '
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OK we've got good news and bad news - good news first:The official track listing is out for all three versions of the upcoming (2/9) I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris single. The good and unexpected news is that the 7" version will contain a live version of Death Of A Disco Dancer as the b-side. Not only a great Smiths track, but surely a highlight of Morrissey's previous tour. The comple...
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