NW Reviews: Morrissey – Years of Refusal

How can you refuse Morrissey? What other person has infiltrated every possible off-subgenre since they have become a scene legend? Prince? Michael Jackson? Well, Morrissey might not be a Prince or MJ but he is just as noteworthy if your ears are buried in the scene culture.

Years of Refusal is an album that is almost exactly how it sounds from the title: years of Moz with little to no budging as far as the change of sound is concern. And this album is no different. So how is it impressive? Because it is. Morrissey is that slimy scenester voice that can enter any genre and be spotted out instantly. This album isn’t too far off what you would expect from Moz, but it is definitely a harder sound than one would be attuned to. This is miles away from his old “How Soon is Now?” sound and leaps past his last effort, Ringleader of the Tormentors. Some say it is a return to form to his 2004 release of You Are the Quarry but I think it is only in intensity. The sound itself is much louder and in your face. The sheer rock and roll borders on punk at times, and hints of metal (a la double bass pedal rolling) is splashed here and there, something absent from the Morrissey rapport.

I believe this album is Moz’s strongest solo effort, and definitely a contender for some of the most likable music out this year. So,

Pros: Raw. Very energetic, especially for such an old dude like Moz. Lively.

Cons: at times, forced. I feel that Morrissey’s style is fit for the rock/punk scene, but I also believe producer Jerry Finn (latest: Tiger Army, +44, AFI, as well as Morrissey’s You Are the Quarry) seems to force songs that are would-be hits. Why force a hit with Moz? The UK loves him. The fake UK (hipster USA) loves him. And he’ll never get air time. So why force it?

People who will like this album: People who are into rock. Not this hipster fake rock shit that is more like dance songs with random rock breakdowns. Real rock. Stuff that The White Stripes and An Horse have been trying to shove back through the pipe since the scene has seemingly lost it’s idea that rock can be gritty and not as flashy like it was before in the 90s and 80s. Morrissey might have the most convincing argument for this notion with this album.

Such a good album, but does it bear weight against album of the year nominee An Horse? It’s tough to say. Both albums are scene and trying to reinvent the rock-wheel. An Horse is struggling to find solid footing those, only bearing weight from Sara Quin’s recommendation and Dave Letterman’s show performance. But Morrissey needs no recommendation if you’ve put your ear to the soil in this scene. So, sadly, An Horse is falling off this list as albums like Years of Refusal are slowly flooding the gates. Sorry An Horse, but if it’s between you and this album, Moz’s rapport for game changing is much higher than yours.