Caught in the Carousel

Morrissey

Years of Refusal
Lost Highway

Morrissey

Morrissey's eighth solo release Years of Refusal is the most exciting work Moz has put out in years, proving that "all you need is me" and "you're going to miss me when I'm gone" are not overstatements. The album is classic Morrissey, rich with sharp wit, powerful hooks, plenty of singable songs and quotable lyrics to please even the most cynical or skeptical of fans. The opening song (and the rest of the album, for that matter) hits hard--harder than we've heard from Morrissey in a long while. "Something Is Squeezing My Skull" pumps up the listener for what's to come and the pace doesn't let up, shooting the listener through some of Morrissey's best songs in years, such as the singles "Throwing My Arms Around Paris" and "All You Need is Me" as well as "Black Cloud" (which features Jeff Beck on guitar and old Morrissey bandmate Alain Whyte as co-writer) a song so cinematic and musically robust that Morrissey's lyrics find a perfect aural companion.

As we reach the middle of the album, however, we see matters slow down a bit, with some songs the album could have done without. Morrissey takes some risks both musically and lyrically and to be honest, some of those risks turn out pretty bland. This doesn't hold matters back for too long as our hero comes back with the two hard-hitting lyrical wonders that are "It's Not Your Birthday Anymore" and "You Were Good In Your Time." Both tracks are personal and eerily autobiographical, breaking the fourth wall between artist and listener. Morrissey has always been exceptional at this and he delivers yet again. The album ends as strongly as it began with "Sorry Doesn't Help" and "I'm Ok By Myself" bringing Years Of Refusal to a dramatic and powerful close that should leave Moz fans asking for more.

Overall the production by the late Jerry Finn is fantastic; despite the aforementioned few hang-ups towards the middle of the album, the flow is excellent. Years Of Refusal is full of hints of retirement and if this is his last album then what a way to go out. But if this is what's to come from Morrissey in his fifties, then please, please, please continue making music. Although Morrissey doesn't reinvent himself here, he doesn't have to. He simply shows off what he's still capable of and that's making a complex, beautiful and relevant album.

Other artists and singers would kill for that.

—Mat Brunell