Album: Years of Refusal

Song Title

Time

Something is Squeezing My Skull

Mama Lay Softly On the Riverbed

Black Cloud

I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris

All You Need is Me

When Last I Spoke To Carol

That's How People Grow Up

One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell

It's Not Your Birthday Anymore

10)

You Were Good In Your Time

11)

Sorry Doesn't Help

12)

I'm Ok By Myself

Album: Years of Refusal

Song Title

Time

Something is Squeezing My Skull

Mama Lay Softly On the Riverbed

Black Cloud

I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris

All You Need is Me

When Last I Spoke To Carol

That's How People Grow Up

One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell

It's Not Your Birthday Anymore

10)

You Were Good In Your Time

11)

Sorry Doesn't Help

12)

I'm Ok By Myself

Performer Notes

Personnel: Morrissey (vocals); Jesse Tobias, Boz Boorer (guitars); Solomon Walker (bass guitar); Matt Walker (drums).
Audio Remasterers: Daniel Hersch; Bill Inglot.
Released in early 2009, YEARS OF REFUSAL finds Morrissey continuing in the energetic, amped-up vein of his preceding albums, YOU ARE THE QUARRY and RINGLEADER OF THE TORMENTORS, even as the former Smiths frontman stands on the verge of age 50. Although the British crooner's vocal range isn't what it used to be, he sounds invigorated throughout much of REFUSAL, particularly on the surging "Something Is Squeezing My Skull" and the sweeping "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris," songs that showcase Mozz's ever-literate lyrics and gleefully melodramatic persona. Although longtime guitarist Alain Whyte is absent (except as a co-songwriter), his shoes are ably filled by Jesse Tobias, who joins keyboardist Roger Manning (Air, Beck) as a relatively new recruit in Morrissey's backing ensemble. Also notable is the presence of veteran punk-pop producer Jerry Finn, who previously helmed QUARRY and died shortly after completing REFUSAL, adding a poignant note to this vibrant Morrissey outing.

Professional Reviews

Rolling Stone (p.64) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "His ninth album, YEARS OF REFUSAL, stares down existential dread with muscular glam-rock riffs, cheesy synths, heroic mariachi flourishes and a whole lot of punch lines."

Spin (p.85) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "YEARS OF REFUSAL thunders with noise-rock bass lines, enormous drums, and big swaths of guitar distortion."

Entertainment Weekly (p.67) - "It's a surprisingly muscular set of punked-up Brit-pop, spiked with the singer's still-dripping scorn..." -- Grade: B+

Billboard (p.33) - "YEARS OF REFUSAL is full of satisfying attitude, from the driving distortion of 'Something Is Squeezing My Skull' to the confident swig of 'All You Need Is Me.'"

Mojo (Publisher) (p.104) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "'Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed' has a delightful pop-classicist chorus, a staircase melody breathing poignancy into the words."

Blender (Magazine) (p.63) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "'I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris' is a beautiful testament to his greatest theme, interminable loneliness."

Clash (magazine) (p.98) - "[B]rilliant....The lyrical dexterity and poetical prowess of the man, fifty this year, has yet to wane nor become diluted with age."