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Morrissey
Years of Refusal
(Lost Highway)
Morrissey rocks.
How's that for two words you never thought you'd see in the same sentence? But it's true, we swear. More than two decades after folding The Smiths' mopey tent -- and nine albums into his up-and-down solo career -- The Moz brings some serious noise on his latest studio offering Years of Refusal.
OK, it ain't Motorhead. But make no mistake, this is his loudest, angriest and most energized disc in, well, forever -- a disc that comes out swinging, packs a punch and goes the distance. Give part of the credit to his well-oiled touring band of young bucks, who supply short, sharp shots of propulsive, muscular guitar rock. And give a chunk to pop-punk producer Jerry Finn, who cranks up the distortion, kicks in the bass and lets the drums boom on what turned out to be his final work (he died of a cerebral aneurysm a month after finishing the disc). But you have to give full marks to the 49-year-old Morrissey, whose lyrics are even more darkly mordant and bitterly personal than usual (and that's saying something). Sure, he still spends most of his time in mid-swoon, crooning wry aphorisms about love gone horribly wrong. But this time, there's an edge in his voice that dovetails with those gritty guitars and grinding basses.
Whatever's behind it, we wholeheartedly approve. And we hope it prompts many more years of refusal from Morrissey.
Something is Squeezing My Skull 2:38
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Crunching guitars, hard-charging drums -- and Moz at full strength, belting out that looney chorus and going on about anti-depressants and trysts in taxis. Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, baby.
Mama Lay Softly on the Riverbed 3:53
Softly? Hardly. Over a chugging '70 rock beat, Morrissey plays avenging angel, vowing to slit the throats of those who hounded a woman to death. Think Queen meets BTO -- better yet, don't.
Black Cloud 2:48
It starts off like a jangly ballad, then -- psyche! -- kicks up a notch into a thumpy little cabaret-rocker with a dash of Elvis in its DNA.
I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris 2:31
"In the absence of your smiling face ... only stone and steel accept my love," claims Morrissey over a jangling guitar melody and a lush arrangement. Let's just hope Paris loves him back.
All You Need is Me 3:13
A post-punk grinder laced with sneering lyrics -- "You don't like me but you love me / Either way you're wrong" -- this was one of two new cuts on 2008's Greatest Hits CD. It fits better here.
When Last I Spoke to Carol 3:24
Fun fact: Morrissey has a huge Hispanic following in the U.S. This flamenco-rocker -- complete with mariachi horns, Morricone whistling and ay-yi-yi yelps -- should keep them happy.
That's How People Grow Up 2:59
Between the syncopated space-rock guitars, alien synths and cowbell-rock beat, this could easily be a Blue Oeyster Cult number -- until Morrissey comes along, anyway.
One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell 2:57
A string-laced rocker about how time marches on -- in this case, to the beat of a rolling snare drum. Bonus points for rhyming the title with "Smiling children tell you that you smell."
It's Not Your Birthday Anymore 5:10
"Did you really think we really meant any of those syrupy, sentimental things we said?" sneers Moz over the ebb-and-flow surge of the band. Guess someone's wish isn't coming true.
You Were Good in Your Time 5:01
Well, there had to be a full-blown ballad eventually. But this lament for a dying lover doesn't stop there -- it ends with nearly two minutes of spooky (and totally skippable) ambiance.
Sorry Doesn't Help 4:03
Chiming guitars and a lightly pumping piano make for a pretty little pop-rocker -- but even with a decent chorus, it's no surprise this cut is near the end of the disc.
I'm OK by Myself 4:48
"This might surprise you," says Morrissey. Um, not really. But the propulsive bassline, quiet-loud verse-chorus arrangement and searing guitars more than make up for that.