Album Review: Years of Refusal
Morrissey's Ninth Studio Album is an Easy Listen
Mar 4, 2009 Todd Christopher Petty
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Morrissey's ninth studio Album, appropriately entitled Years of Refusal (YOR), demonstrates the unflinching talent of one of the largest anomalies in the history of pop music: Steven Patrick Morrissey.
The Sound of Years of Refusal
Morrissey's latest contribution to the pop industry combines elements of his previous two albums: You Are the Quarry (2000) and Ringleader of the Tormentors (2004). As there is nothing significantly different musically, the sound of Years of Refusal will be familiar to Moz fans.
However, Years of Refusal is his most pop-driven album to date. The songs contain catchy sing-along choruses, simple song structures, and basic guitar work. This album succeeds as a more accessible Morrissey album that will attract new fans, in addition to cementing his role as one of the largest musical icons of the 21st century.
Singles From Years of Refusal
This album's singles were chosen wisely, as they are the catchiest and most accessible of the twelve-song lineup. Of the three singles, "That's How People Grow Up," "All You Need is Me," and "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris" the latter track seems to best represent the album, featuring a refrain of unrequited love that will be all-too familiar to Morrissey fans: "I'm throwing my arms around/ around Paris because/ only stone and steel accept my love."
Years of Refusal Weaknesses
The album loses some of its energy near the back three tracks. "You Were Good in Your Time" is reminiscent of The Ringleader of the Tormentors' "Dear God, Please Help Me." However, the track’s lassitude gets lost due to its positioning near the end of one of Morrissey's most high-energy albums.
There seems to be an inverse ratio between the maturity of Morrissey's lyrics and his actual age. This album is the most preoccupied with youthful laments. Although Morrissey's musings are always entertaining, the lyrics have lost some of the texture and depth heard on his earlier albums, Kill Uncle and Viva Hate.
Reception of Years of Refusal
The album has been received well from both fans and critics alike. According to billboard.com, the album peaked at #11 on the "U.S. Billboard 200" and at #3 on the UK albums chart. This album will certainly provide a good palate for the upcoming 2009 "Years of Refusal Tour."
Years of Refusal holds its own among Morrissey's immense discography of successful solo albums. Coming off of his enormously popular career as frontman of The Smith's, Morrissey has proven his own musical talent as a soloist. Twenty-six “years of refusal” have lapsed since his work with The Smiths, and Morrissey continues to forge his own presence among the legendary pop-music scene of Britain. Morrissey continues to get older, his music however, does not.
Cover Art of Morrissey's Years of Refusal
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