Track Listing

1. Something Is Squeezing My Skull
2. Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed
3. Black Cloud
4. I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
5. All You Need Is Me
6. When I Last Spoke To Carol
7. That's How People Grow Up
8. One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell
9. It's Not Your Birthday Anymore
10. You Were Good In Your Time
11. Sorry Doesn't Help
12. I'm OK By Myself

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1428 in Music
• Released on: 2009-02-16
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds
• Running time: 43 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review

So onward purposely strides the man--Stephen Patrick Morrissey--who, just to state the bloomin’ obvious, would make a fine frontman for a great band. And therein lies the main weakness of his solo career, from 1988’s post-Smiths Viva Hate onwards; for all of the pompous extravagance and tortured eloquence of Morrissey himself, his recordings can’t help but be blunted by the 2x4 stock indie that he invariably surrounds himself with. No change here, but that only goes to prove what rare form he is on, for Years Of Refusal quickly establishes itself as his most buoyant and memorable collection of songs for many moons, certainly since his creative renaissance on You Are The Quarry. Erring away from the seriousness of last album Ringleader of the Tormentors this is all about getting in, making an impact and getting out again, often in under 3 minutes. His expression that he’s “throwing his arms around Paris, because only stone and steel accept my love” (“Throwing My Arms Around Paris”) and “did you really think we meant all of those syrupy sentimental things that we said yesterday?” (“It’s Not Your Birthday Anymore”) are classic Moz melodrama and there’s a particular theatrical virility to the way he delivers his lines in “Something Is Squeezing My Skull” and “Mama Lay Softly By The Riverbed” that suggests blood still pumps around this body with some artful force.  --James Berry

CD Description
Years Of Refusal is the tenth album from iconic indie legend Morrissey. The former Smiths frontman teams up again with the late producer Jerry Finn (You Are The Quarry, Ringleader Of The Tormented) resulting in an album more urgent and intimate than the last. Raw and fresh, Years Of Refusal has a spiky punk-esque energy running through it, further illustrating Morrissey's formidable talent. The singles, "All You Need Is Me" and "That's How People Grow Up" are included.

Customer Reviews

A New Sense of Urgency
With a career spanning almost 30 years it is a fairly safe assumption that both fans and critics alike are highly unlikely to be swayed from their stance regarding this most distinctive and divisive of artists. Given this clear demarcation between the two camps, Morrissey, it seems, will not be winning over too many of his detractors with his new release 'Years of Refusal'. It is, however, sure to delight those well-established followers, as this is undoubtedly the greatest achievement of his solo career, which is some feat, considering its wonderfully grandiose predecessor 'Ringleader of the Tormentor' (2005). With 'Years of Refusal' though, Morrissey sounds reinvigorated, writing and singing with a newfound sense of urgency. Of course, the usual themes of love and death, dominate, but it is the refreshed manner by which he tackles them this time around, that make 'Years of Refusal' such a success. While 'Ringleader of the Tormentors' opted for grandeur and epic exposition, 'Years of Refusal' favours short, sharp explosions of punk influenced energy. Album opener `Something is Squeezing My Skull' acts as a perfect indicator of what's to come, with `One Day Goodbye Will be Farewell' and single `All You Need is Me' also demonstrating the immediacy of the record.
Morrissey also treads new ground with the sublime `When Last I Spoke to Carole', employing a Mexican, mariachi tone, densely layered with brass and acoustic guitars. Furthermore, Morrissey's vocal capabilities appear to be developing even further, rather that diminishing with age, reaching previously unheard levels in range on the embittered ballad `It's Not Your Birthday Anymore'. `Black Cloud', one of the album's many highlights, is also notable for its beautifully delivered vocal performance.
While it may seem certain that as long as Morrissey is writing and recording new material he won't be deviating too far from those familiar subjects so frequently at the heart of his lyrics, Years of Refusal is surely evidence that not only does he remain one of the most important artists of both the past and the present, but that there is still potential for greater things to come.

Defiant Moz at his spellbinding best
Time may prove me wrong, and I may change my mind but right here, right now I think this is actually the best album Morrissey has ever done.
It's Not Your Birthday Anymore is absolutely spellbinding! Play it loud and feel the hair stand on the back of your neck!
The single, Throwing My Arms Around Paris, is classic pop and pure Morrissey, but it is not indicative of the album.
Years of Refual is phenomenal; Morrissey's voice has NEVER sounded so good; from defiant outsider to loungeroom crooner.
The last song, I'm OK By Myself, is up there with his best work. Moz at the top of his voice over a times rocky, times Sonic Youth wall of noise. Does it get any better? no.
Play very loud (good advice from the back sleeve).
Keep up the amazing work Stephen Patrick.

An engaging and exciting new Morrissey record
As an avid Morrissey fan for many years, i have found both good and bad aspects in all of Morrissey's work. To even the casual fan, or someone who has only so far listened to The Smiths the sonic aspects of this album might seem a bit foreign. The most 'Rock' sounding record Mozza has made, i think this is one of his most consistent records he's made since The Vauhxhall and I.. every track is engaging, both lyrically and in musical production. Worth every penny, for both casual fans and the diehards like myself. buy it, and enjoy it for what it is, a sterling record from a mature artist who can still pack a mighty hard punch