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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
So onward purposely strides the man--Stephen Patrick Morrissey--who, just to state the bloomin’ obvious, would make a fine frontman for a great band. And therein lies the main weakness of his solo career, from 1988’s post-Smiths Viva Hate onwards; for all of the pompous extravagance and tortured eloquence of Morrissey himself, his recordings can’t help but be blunted by the 2x4 stock indie that he invariably surrounds himself with. No change here, but that only goes to prove what rare form he is on, for Years Of Refusal quickly establishes itself as his most buoyant and memorable collection of songs for many moons, certainly since his creative renaissance on You Are The Quarry. Erring away from the seriousness of last album Ringleader of the Tormentors this is all about getting in, making an impact and getting out again, often in under 3 minutes. His expression that he’s “throwing his arms around Paris, because only stone and steel accept my love” (“Throwing My Arms Around Paris”) and “did you really think we meant all of those syrupy sentimental things that we said yesterday?” (“It’s Not Your Birthday Anymore”) are classic Moz melodrama and there’s a particular theatrical virility to the way he delivers his lines in “Something Is Squeezing My Skull” and “Mama Lay Softly By The Riverbed” that suggests blood still pumps around this body with some artful force. --James Berry
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CD > BRAZILIAN MUSIC > MPB - BRAZILIAN POPULAR MUSIC
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
With a career spanning almost 30 years it is a fairly safe assumption that both fans and critics alike are highly unlikely to be swayed from their stance regarding this most distinctive and divisive of artists. Given this clear demarcation between the two camps, Morrissey, it seems, will not be winning over too many of his detractors with his new release 'Years of Refusal'. It is, however, sure to delight those well-established followers, as this is undoubtedly the greatest achievement of his solo career, which is some feat, considering its wonderfully grandiose predecessor 'Ringleader of the Tormentor' (2005). With 'Years of Refusal' though, Morrissey sounds reinvigorated, writing and singing with a newfound sense of urgency. Of course, the usual themes of love and death, dominate, but it is the refreshed manner by which he tackles them this time around, that make 'Years of Refusal' such a success. While 'Ringleader of the Tormentors' opted for grandeur and epic exposition, 'Years of Refusal' favours short, sharp explosions of punk influenced energy. Album opener `Something is Squeezing My Skull' acts as a perfect indicator of what's to come, with `One Day Goodbye Will be Farewell' and single `All You Need is Me' also demonstrating the immediacy of the record.
Morrissey also treads new ground with the sublime `When Last I Spoke to Carole', employing a Mexican, mariachi tone, densely layered with brass and acoustic guitars. Furthermore, Morrissey's vocal capabilities appear to be developing even further, rather that diminishing with age, reaching previously unheard levels in range on the embittered ballad `It's Not Your Birthday Anymore'. `Black Cloud', one of the album's many highlights, is also notable for its beautifully delivered vocal performance.
While it may seem certain that as long as Morrissey is writing and recording new material he won't be deviating too far from those familiar subjects so frequently at the heart of his lyrics, Years of Refusal is surely evidence that not only does he remain one of the most important artists of both the past and the present, but that there is still potential for greater things to come.
Morrissey also treads new ground with the sublime `When Last I Spoke to Carole', employing a Mexican, mariachi tone, densely layered with brass and acoustic guitars. Furthermore, Morrissey's vocal capabilities appear to be developing even further, rather that diminishing with age, reaching previously unheard levels in range on the embittered ballad `It's Not Your Birthday Anymore'. `Black Cloud', one of the album's many highlights, is also notable for its beautifully delivered vocal performance.
While it may seem certain that as long as Morrissey is writing and recording new material he won't be deviating too far from those familiar subjects so frequently at the heart of his lyrics, Years of Refusal is surely evidence that not only does he remain one of the most important artists of both the past and the present, but that there is still potential for greater things to come.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Time may prove me wrong, and I may change my mind but right here, right now I think this is actually the best album Morrissey has ever done.
It's Not Your Birthday Anymore is absolutely spellbinding! Play it loud and feel the hair stand on the back of your neck!
The single, Throwing My Arms Around Paris, is classic pop and pure Morrissey, but it is not indicative of the album.
Years of Refual is phenomenal; Morrissey's voice has NEVER sounded so good; from defiant outsider to loungeroom crooner.
The last song, I'm OK By Myself, is up there with his best work. Moz at the top of his voice over a times rocky, times Sonic Youth wall of noise. Does it get any better? no.
Play very loud (good advice from the back sleeve).
Keep up the amazing work Stephen Patrick.
It's Not Your Birthday Anymore is absolutely spellbinding! Play it loud and feel the hair stand on the back of your neck!
The single, Throwing My Arms Around Paris, is classic pop and pure Morrissey, but it is not indicative of the album.
Years of Refual is phenomenal; Morrissey's voice has NEVER sounded so good; from defiant outsider to loungeroom crooner.
The last song, I'm OK By Myself, is up there with his best work. Moz at the top of his voice over a times rocky, times Sonic Youth wall of noise. Does it get any better? no.
Play very loud (good advice from the back sleeve).
Keep up the amazing work Stephen Patrick.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It happens like this: before a new Morrissey album is released you go back and listen to some of his old works to get into the right mood and... how strange! they invariably sound more impressive and poignant than you remembered. With the only notable exception of KILL UNCLE (his weakest) all of Morrissey's (and The Smiths') works tend to get better with time: how many artists do you know about whom you can say the same?
YEARS OF REFUSAL is the Mancunian Bard's ninth studio album and finds him in a very energetic mood. It is a lively, swift record that beautifully belies its author's age, full as it is of sharp guitars and fresh songs ably produced by the late Jerry Finn. And of course it has a punk edge, but do not let that confuse you: this is still a very elegant work where Morrissey's vocals and lyrics shine as bright as ever. The musical palette includes glam BOWIE, SPARKS, mid-70s ROXY MUSIC and punk, all welded into that unmistakable blend we have been so fascinated by since 1983. The band is very tight too, with drummer MATT WALKER deserving a special mention: his drumming manages to be nimble and powerful at the same time, lending this album a very distinctive, sprightly sound.
Morrissey classics already detected on REFUSAL are:
- I'M THROWING MY ARMS AROUND PARIS (SUEDEHEAD's wiser sister)
- IT'S NOT YOUR BIRTHDAY ANYMORE (a thrillingly cruel song)
- THAT'S HOW PEOPLE GROW UP (a groovy, SIREN-inflected track)
- WHEN LAST I SPOKE TO CAROL (balearic Morrissey, anyone?)
The rest of the disc is definitely worth four stars, but as Moz has said before: these things take time. We feel more than confident that we will end up adding a fifth one in a not so distant future.
See you in 2012.
YEARS OF REFUSAL is the Mancunian Bard's ninth studio album and finds him in a very energetic mood. It is a lively, swift record that beautifully belies its author's age, full as it is of sharp guitars and fresh songs ably produced by the late Jerry Finn. And of course it has a punk edge, but do not let that confuse you: this is still a very elegant work where Morrissey's vocals and lyrics shine as bright as ever. The musical palette includes glam BOWIE, SPARKS, mid-70s ROXY MUSIC and punk, all welded into that unmistakable blend we have been so fascinated by since 1983. The band is very tight too, with drummer MATT WALKER deserving a special mention: his drumming manages to be nimble and powerful at the same time, lending this album a very distinctive, sprightly sound.
Morrissey classics already detected on REFUSAL are:
- I'M THROWING MY ARMS AROUND PARIS (SUEDEHEAD's wiser sister)
- IT'S NOT YOUR BIRTHDAY ANYMORE (a thrillingly cruel song)
- THAT'S HOW PEOPLE GROW UP (a groovy, SIREN-inflected track)
- WHEN LAST I SPOKE TO CAROL (balearic Morrissey, anyone?)
The rest of the disc is definitely worth four stars, but as Moz has said before: these things take time. We feel more than confident that we will end up adding a fifth one in a not so distant future.
See you in 2012.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The album that reactivated my interest in Morrissey after almost 20...
I was a huge fan of The Smiths in the late 80's, and followed the beginning of Morrissey's solo career. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Scott Davies
The Seminal Artist
There is a typically wide range of reviews for this album, but I'm glad to see that the majority recognise that this represents a return to form for one of the seminal pop artists. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Keith M
Stunning Album
As a fan of Morrissey and The Smiths since the eighties, I have been used to some highs and lows of Morrissey's solo career, but I have to say that this album is utterly superb. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Stuart Pace
Almost 30 Years on...He's still got it!
"I was driving my car, I crashed and broke my spine. So, yes, there are things worse in life than never being someone's sweetie"... What more can you say? Read more
Published 14 months ago by John Woodcock
Years of Refusal is a cracking album
Years of Refusal is a terrific album and one you should add to your collection. There are some great songs on the album and the record has a sense of urgency. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mr. Craig Henderson
Not The Smiths
Morrissey on his own will never be as good as The Smiths in my opinion its ok but not great
Published 18 months ago by Mr. J. Clark
pretty bad.
Iv'e been a long time Morrissey fan and love the Smiths. However I did not like this album at all, I agree with most of the comments in the 1 star reviews. Read more
Published 23 months ago by K.STEVEN
Better than Ever?
This is the first Morrissey solo album I've bought and it gives ample evidence that he is still capable of producing top-notch material, nearly thirty years after the emergence of... Read more
Published on 13 Jan 2010 by haunted
Morrissey - Years of Refusal
I love this CD - and Morrissey live in concert at Brixton was awesome too.
Published on 17 Dec 2009 by LMC
'Deceptively Good And Gloomy Album'
When I first started listening to 'Years Of Refusal', I found myself disappointed with it. Most of the songs seemed to have been made to 'make as much noise as possible in the... Read more
Published on 23 Nov 2009 by Antony May
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