Morrissey - You Are The Quarry (Attack Records)
NO one pens song titles like quite him do they? The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores, I Have Forgiven Jesus and All The Lazy Dykes é ités good to have you back Steven Patrick Morrissey!Seven years on from 1997s poorly received Maladjusted album, Manchesterés best-dressed rogue is back, but is there any substance behind the intrigue or has the eternal sunshine and fakery a typical LA existence is cynically known for blunted his talons?
Not according to the first taster of his new material we got to devour on comeback single Irish Blood, English Heart there isnét, which deliciously opens up with: éIrish Blood, English Heart is what Iém made of. There is no one on earth Iém afraid of.é
Self-confidence was never one of his weaker points, and he continues on to ravage some maligned periods of English history as well as his perceived view of its current outlook.
Not that this confidence prevents him from opening himself up though, the melancholic plea of Come Back To Camden finds him contemplating his lonely state, while on I Like You he tenderly pins his feelings to the flag.
I'm Not Sorry
Ever a contradiction, elsewhere he is back in typically unforgiving mood on Iém Not Sorry, a slow burner of a track which meanders sweetly, without reaching a satisfying conclusion.
He is back on top form with First Of The Gang To Die though, anchored with a sweeping melody and rousing chorus which has second single written all over it.
Closing with the LPés longest track coming in just shy of an impressive six minutes and ironically titled You Know I Couldnét Last, Morrissey evaluates his longevity in a changing music scene as well as handing out a few words of wisdom to the pretenders to his iconic throne.
On this evidence he is set to inhabit it for some time to come, a fact indeed he seems to be aware of judging by the deluge of press and live dates that are being undertaken, (even the mischievous wit of Jonathan Ross is due to be tested on his BBC chat show later this month).
Despite a few over indulgent lyrical lapses, his best melodic work since 1994és Vauxhall And I.
What do you think of the album? Have your say.
Released May 17, 2004.
Reviewed: Wed, 05 May, 2004
