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
CD Description
Years Of Refusal is the tenth album from iconic indie legend Morrissey. The former Smiths frontman teams up again with the late producer Jerry Finn (
You Are The Quarry,
Ringleader Of The Tormented) resulting in an album more urgent and intimate than the last. Raw and fresh,
Years Of Refusal has a spiky punk-esque energy running through it, further illustrating Morrissey's formidable talent. The singles, "All You Need Is Me" and "That's How People Grow Up" are included.