Music Review - Morrissey “Years of Refusal”
GRADE: A
I know I am biased when it comes to Morrissey; I am one of those rabid fans who cannot get enough of his music or live stage shows (I already have my tickets to see him at this year’s Coachella festival). Over the past 10 years Morrissey has put out some of his best solo work ever. The trend continues with his latest album “Years of Refusal” which is full of more introspective song writing mixed with cunning guitar hooks.
With his 50th birthday coming up and tons of good reviews for “Refusal” coming out, fans need not get their hankies out yet. It’s clear, and has been for decades now, that Morrissey makes and breaks his own rules, and couldn’t care less about how we choose to classify him and his music (and, if that approach wasn’t evident enough, the “Years Of Refusal” title just drives the point home). To prove this point, the track “Something Is Squeezing My Head” shows off his trademark vocals and colorful dry wit that cover his favoured topics of loneliness and isolation.
I have no idea why the throbbing and cynical “All You Need Is Me” was put on this album because it is an old single that has already been featured on Morrissey’s Greatest Hits album. But with lyrics like; “There is so much destruction in the world, and all you can do is think about me….”, how can you not smile and rock out at the same time? Another winner is the haunting track “That’s How People Grow Up” which showcases Moz’s tortured soul with more classically depressing lines that are perfect for high school outcasts that love rainy days.
The momentum continues on the driving, propulsive “Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed” which features a gritty guitar solo that only emphasizes Morrissey’s “Life is nothing much to lose” chorus. Jeff Beck plays guitar on “Black Cloud,” which unfortunately is the most interesting part of the song. But the jewel of the record is the sprawling “It’s Not Your Birthday Anymore,” that is epic in every sense of the word. “All of the gifts that they gave can’t compare in any way to the love I am now giving to you, right here, right now, on the floor” could be the greatest set of hysterically confident lyrics ever penned by Morrissey or anyone else. It’s a big kiss-off, and a warning to those that think everyone means all of the nice things they say to you on your birthday.
As a huge fan (did I mention that I LOVE Moz?) of Morrissey’s I am grateful that he is still such an important figure in music and that his art is still able to attract a whole new legion of crazy fans. This album proves once again that Morrissey can not only rock still, but he can still articulate what so many people feel while keeping his charm and off kilter sarcasm in tact. For fans this album is another pitch perfect example of Morrissey’s talents, for those who are just now getting into his stuff, this is a fabulous addition to his discography.
LISTEN TO SONGS FROM “YEARS OF REFUSAL” BELOW!
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