Morrissey – Years Of Refusal

• 23rd Feb 2009

Morrissey’s music comes with perhaps too much of a familiar sound to it with each new album that he produces. This is perhaps warm thought for any fan. Despite what his subject matters may be, his singing style has remained constant and the music itself is nowhere near the sound he was producing over two decades ago with The Smiths. While there are very few new tricks to his trade, it can’t be denied how addictive a sound he has. You may be reminded of past works and sounds he has created but like any decent a songwriter/performer this does not have to be a bad thing.

It all starts very rock ‘n’ roll with “Something is squeezing my skull.” It’s very easy to swallow and demonstrates (along with following track “Mama Lay Me Softly on the Riverbed”) that he is a man more about the vocal and lyric aspects of his work than he is about the music anymore. Each track is indeed orchestrated well and there is range to the sounds in each of the 12 tracks on this album, but it is still a standard of music that doesn’t alter or stand out in the mind. Morrissey’s first few solo albums defined his sound away from The Smiths, but after it was set in stone it didn’t really change much in the coming years. This album is no different. It is very easy to understand and it won’t distract you from the real prize which is the man with the voice and the words he uses.
“I’m throwing my arms around Paris” is a decent choice for the first single. Again it adheres to what is familiar, but they have picked one of his bigger sounding songs that could easy catch an audience and have them singing it in the car on the way to work. It may not be “Suedehead” but it’s an easy addition that one day will find a welcome home on his next updated “Singles Album” release.

So although the album has no faults to really call upon, shame would only enter the mind if this does turn out to be his final record (which he was threatening pre-release). His repertoire has been immense and worthy hall of fame entry, and “Years of Refusal” is a strong Morrissey record.