You Are The Quarry - Morrissey

...just wish you'd stay where you is", he pines, overtly referencing to the apparent belief that America sees itself a police to the world, as well as the physical size of many of its inhabitants. However, he also states 'I love you', as he should, having lived there for nearly a decade. A moderately paced opener that states what Morrissey is about. Good start. 8/10

2. Irish Blood, English Heart
The first single from this ...
...for anyone. However, as you get into this slower, more accoustic song, you realise he simply has a great deal of sadness in his complex life ("When will this tired heart stop beating? It's all a game, existence is only a game"). He constantly tells us he is "slipping below the water line". The song fades out, a rare thing these days, and it is that sort of song you want to put on at the sunset of a tiring day. Possibly the next ... more

He's back! And he's good! Whilst there seems to be a hyperbolic cheer at Morrissey coming back despite the fact his solo albums were not recieved, it is great to see him with singles that are good. I'm sure many do not remember the song Dagenham Dave do they? It wasn't good in any way, the only reason I remember it is because my brothers pointed out the fact that I was born in Dagenham and my middle name is David!

Whilst Morrissey has a fantastic voice and puts great music with it (be it with Johnny Marr in the Smiths or as a solo artist, occasionally), many, including my girlfriend, cannot see the appeal of a man who seems unable to come to terms with the world. What they fail to appreciate is that, whilst his views appear often contradictory, he is, as Orwell puts it, 'in a minority of one, but that doesn't make him wrong'.

1. America Is Not The World
Morrissey has always had a penchant for pointing out what is wrong with the world in a way that is full of irony and disappointment and, indeed, this song does not fail to meet the expectations this has put upon the singer/songwriter. "America, your head's too big, because, America, your belly's too big, and I love you. I just wish you'd stay where you is", he pines, overtly referencing to the apparent belief that America sees itself a police to the world, as well as the physical size of many of its inhabitants. However, he also states 'I love you', as he should, having lived there for nearly a decade. A moderately paced opener that states what Morrissey is about. Good start. 8/10

2. Irish Blood, English Heart
The first single from this album, it is a pacy, strong rock song that reintroduced everybody to the Mozzer and reminded them that he still holds his own court. I was quite surprised by the amount of guitar in this but it really works - good to see that, after his problems with Johnny Marr, he hasn't entirely dispensed with the guitars! It slows on the powerful verse, only to quicken the drum beat and 'go for it' in the chorus, which, somehow, gains power and anger. Surprisingly brief at 2 minutes 37. Great song though. 9/10

3. I Have Forgiven Jesus
It says something about the confidence the man has in his own beliefs that he can write a song about when Jesus deserted him and how he forgives him. This song shows the pain that troubles Morrissey and has done throughout his life. He was bullied by fellow ex-Smith Johnny Marr when at school and, even now, can only count 6 people as friends. Moderately paced, it is a great song for lyrics (what Morrissey song isn't), and is a possibility for a single, although I couldn't see it making the top 5, sadly. 7.5/10

4. Come back to Camden
A ballad that gives full opportunity to for Morrissey to show off his lyrical ability and beautifully dulcet voice. Simplicity, yet fantastic, the words, "Drinking tea with the taste of the Thames sullenly on a chair on the pavement". The song mournfully reminisces about living in Camden. Lovely, but just as an album track, thank you. 7/10

5. I'm Not Sorry
Another song which, on the face of it, looks like Morrissey is showing that he doesn't care for anyone. However, as you get into this slower, more accoustic song, you realise he simply has a great deal of sadness in his complex life ("When will this tired heart stop beating? It's all a game, existence is only a game"). He constantly tells us he is "slipping below the water line". The song fades out, a rare thing these days, and it is that sort of song you want to put on at the sunset of a tiring day. Possibly the next single. 8/10

6. The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores
In a strange way, I can imagine this song in a musical, it seems like the sort of song that needs visuals to fully explain it. Plenty of anger, frustration and sadness in the words, far too much for me to post. However, the music is not of a sufficient quality - not really entertaining nor impressive. 6.5/10

7. How Can Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel?
After the previous song, I started listening to this thinking, 'this is ok, a breath of fresh air'. However, the song doesn't really develop, it seems, once again, to serve as a vehicle for the great man's lyrics. Slightly more guitar, but not used effectively. 6.5/10

8. The First Of The Gang To Die
The second single from the album. I first heard this song on the tv from Glastonbury and I must admit thinking it had to be an old classic from the late eighties. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find it to be a new one. Unlike some of the previous songs, this has much more substance in the music and has great lyrics but only very limited. This is where Morrissey is at his best. His lyrics are unquestioned, his music is doubted. Not here however, with well used guitar, it is a moderately paced song reminding us all of those that have got themselves killed in an act of bravado that, in the eyes of Morrissey is needless. Fantastic stuff. 8.5/10

9. Let Me Kiss You
Another story of his desperation to seek love. Morrissey's sexuality has always been in question (it is believed he is gay, but celibate) and it is a sad state that he has never found happiness in love. The song is typical Morrissey in it's sadness but seems almost as if there is less effort in his words as an effort to show his simple quest for love. A nice song with accoustic guitar and a little riff. However, it seems more suited to the radio 2 crew than those that desire a little more than a nice tune about love. 7/10

10. All The Lazy Dykes
Just how many lazy dykes are there, Stephen Morrissey?! An arpeggio'd background guitar sound (the notes of a chord plucked individually for those who don't know, like House Of The Rising Sun), it seems as if he is trying to tell us that we really should be enlightened to what, in his eyes, is really happening to the world ("And i've never felt so alive in the whole of my life, in the whole of my life. Free yourself, be yourself, come to the Palms and see yourself, and at last your life begins"). A decent album track but nothing more. 7/10

11. I Like You
Is it so hard to say 'I Love You'? Obviously so, "It's so shameful of me, I like you". Morrissey shows his inability to be able to show real feelings to others, "You're not right in the head, and nor am I, and this is why I like you". A slightly quicker paced song than many of the others, this is a great pop/rock song and, like the song, I find it hard to say why I like it! Maybe it is because everyone's coyness is reflected in this song. Definately a possibility for a single. 8/10

12. You Know I Couldn't Last
A song that epitomises one big paradox that bains Morrissey's life, it tells of how he struggles with fame ("There's a cash-register ringing and it weighs heavy on my back") It is a lovely piano song which fades out badly as it should really end on a piano chord. However, it serves as a nice ending to the album, and should probably remain as that. 7/10

The album as a whole is full of incredible lyrics that you just do not hear from many other people around. They tell it from the eyes of Stephen Morrissey and, whilst you may not agree with them, you can empathise with them. It is a strong return by a man well into his forties (Although i'm sure he must have used hair dye for the front cover picture of him in a suit looking at a gun) and contains some great singles that will be remembered as some of his best solo work.

However, there did appear to be a trade off at times between getting in as many great words and putting good music to the words. Too many songs were slow and not powerful enough, which is when I feel Morrissey is at his best and, whilst this album produced good slow songs, putting them together simply decreased their influence. When a greater speed was put on the songs it worked well, such as the two singles, but there wasn't enough of it. Nevertheless, it was a good album that did not have many terrible songs. Maybe an influential musician is what is needed for the great words to be made into consistently great songs... 

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