Morrissey has been experiencing a commercial and artistic renaissance in recent years. He's quickly rattled off some of the best albums of his solo career. His latest (out today) is Years Of Refusal.
Years Of Refusal is a rawer, more polished Morrissey album.
The album's opener, "Something Is Squeezing My Head", features frantic vocals and from a hyperactive Moz. Many of the other tracks, such as "Black Cloud", are hard edged and louder than we've come to expect from the former Smiths singer.
When he does settle into a comfortable groove, Morrissey gives us songs like "Mama Lay Softly On the Riverbed" which is a grandiose, pointless, and plodding.
The lead single, "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris", while catchy, sees Morrissey trying to out-Morrissey himself. Lyrics like 'only stone and steal accept my love' are awkward and ham-fisted enough to make you roll your eyes, wishing for some subtlety.
Some of the tricks and tweaks work. The slow shuffle of "You Were Good In Your Time" is refreshing, as are the horns on "When I Last Spoke To Carol".
It takes Morrissey three quarters of the album to hit his pinnacle. "It's Not Your Birthday Anymore" sees Moz's perfect storm as his gleefully obstinant lyrics and vocals mesh perfectly with the smart Anglo-pop backing.
A pair of the album's best tracks, "That's How People Grow Up" and "All You Need Is Me", were previously made available as bonus tracks on the Moz's recent best of album. Morrissey really bursts out of the album's rut on another, "Shame Is the Name", which features Chrissy Hynde on vocals. However, that track is only available as a bonus electronically or as a b-side to the first single.
After a pair of recent home runs with Ringleader of the Tormentors and You Are the Quarry, it looks like we have a long single in Years Of Refusal.
Best tracks: "It's Not Your Birthday Anymore", "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris"
Track listing for Years Of Refusal:
- Something Is Squeezing My Head
- Mama Lay Softly On the Riverbed
- Black Cloud
- I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
- All You Need Is Me
- When I Last Spoke To Carol
- That's How People Grow Up
- One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell
- It's Not Your Birthday Anymore
- You Were Good In Your Time
- Sorry Doesn't Help
- I'm OK By Myself
- Shame Is the Name (bonus)
6.5
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