Customer Reviews

You Are The Quarry (Gatefold w/ DVD)

5 star:		(72)
4 star:		(35)
3 star:		(20)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(20)

 

 

I thought the Gods were playing jokes on my ears. The Cure, The Pixies, and now... Morrissey?? All back & all returning to form to show the pop-world-turned-crap just how it's done. This album takes two listens to stick in your head. The first one absolutely won't take, undoubtedly due to the shock that, yes, you are actually listening to new Morrissey music.

Once through the second time, you'll find yourself humming the melodies that have stolen into your subconsciousness. You'll find yourself mouthing the skillfully turned lyrics only a former self-depricating soul can turn with confidence.

Forget 'Southpaw Grammar'. Forget 'Maladjusted', except for Roy's Keen, and focus on the here & now. The hairline has receded & exposed only more genius. "Irish Blood, English Heart" sounds like something from 'Your Arsenal', while "I'm Not Sorry" sounds straight from 'Vauxhall & I'. The rest is a new breed, recalling the heart of early Moz solo efforts while clearly establishing himself as an evolved talent.

Comparing the new Morrissey to the old Morrissey is like comparing solo Moz to the Smiths. It shouldn't be done. Rather, a dreary angry English bloke is back to pen & croon his wits. Better than anything else on the radio. Welcome home, Stephen.

Well, I've never listened to Morrissey albums, but have heard some Smiths songs which were pretty good. I grabbed a copy of this album after watching him perform Irish Blood, English Heart on 'Friday night with Jonathon Ross' (UK Program) There are two things I wanted to say about this album which has driven me to write;

1) What are these people on that they think anything on this album refers to Ronald Reagan's death when it was written at least 6 months prior and released at least 1 month prior? What are they talking about!?

2) I think it's a great album. The US should try to remember the freedom's such as freedom of speech that it's always going on about 'promoting'.

We have such a thing in the UK as self analysis and self criticism. Believe me, it works. It makes the government accountable.

Morrissey has been criticizing other countries for 20 years, it was only a matter of time before us Americans got ours. If you actually listen to the lyrics and not just the title, you will see that everyone being said is true. Americans are obese, Americans have never elected a black, gay, or female president (granted not many have ran). America did bring the world the hamburger and Morrissey being a vegan isn't too keen on hamburgers. The truth hurts, but it is also what we need to improve ourselves.

The album itself is beautiful. No more, no less. Okay, maybe a little more.

Morrissey's in fine form, at least as fine as on any of his solo albums (other than the truly exceptional Your Arsenal), but fans should simply get the regular CD version and pass on the higher-priced "deluxe" version with DVD. On the DVD, you get a few minutes of music video, song lyrics (which are also featured in a printed booklet)and a few pictures. That's it! Hardly worth the extra money.

If you pick up Neil Young's Greendale album, Neil's included a DVD too--and he doesn't make you pay extra for it. Neil's DVD includes a full 90-minute concert.

Neil and Morrissey? Comparing apples and oranges? Not really. Just if an artist is going to release a deluxe version of something, it should really be deluxe. A simple music video and redundant material just doesn't make it.

By the way, when you open up "gatefold" packaging, you find simply two pale yellow panels.

Don't get me wrong: I love Morrissey, and I'm not assigning the music three stars: I'm simply pointing out that the extra bucks for the upgrade isn't worth it.

Now, go support Mr. M. He wants your money and you want to give it to him.

This review comes from a huge Smiths/Morrissey fan. Just to give you an idea, I have a 16 year old cat named Morrisey. The first drum note of the CD threw me. My first though was that Morrisey has sold out. After the track settled in (musically) and hearing the first two lines of the lyrics in "America Is Not The World", I then knew that Morrissey was really back!

That has always been Morrisey's gift; to be able to give incredibly detailed info with only a few simple strokes of the pen.

The sound is not Suedehead, much different, but you can still hear the "Manchester Sound" in this album. (ie The Housemartins).

National Public Radio (NPR) reviewed this album. If you get a chance, go to NPR.org and find the audio file of the review. They also play samples a few songs.

Some of the songs are more mature and revolve around causes and injustice in the world. This to me shows growth - that it's not just all about him. But that side is definately still there.

In the end, this CD is more than I expected. It is a worthy new release for fans and worth buying. Or if you are new to Morrisey and thinking that todays top 40 music "says nothing of me and my life", give this a chance.

This is clearly Morrissey's best album since Vauxhall and I. The entire album is actually listenable and doesnt make you want to slit your wrists, like some of his other more recent albums. Yeah, he slanders America in the first song, but who really cares?

Thanks be. Morrissey has recovered his sense of humor and realizes that anger is best served with a spice of bite. He manages to make a mockery of lesser talents by employing his unusual rhyme schemes and line delivery like the machine gun he holds in the cover photo. He can make an ex-pat like me feel the loss of home in songs like "Come Back to Camden," and weigh the whole love/hate aspect of living in the US with the kind of aplomb that he hasn't had access to for years. I bought this album with hope in my heart because the past few were sketchy. And now my heart is full.

I'm a Smiths fan since my teen years (now I'm 37)and after they split-up I continued to follow Morrissey's work with interest. I still listen to The Smiths music: although I'm not a rabid fan, I simply didn't "grow out of it" as some might expect because it was relevant for my formative years and STILL IS, and I think Morrissey is still holding the torch, and always fought bravely not to let it die away. I simply marvel at the harshness of some critics in denouncing the "sillyness" of some songs here, or the fact that his new record isn't "ground breaking" there. Please, understand my point: I'm not saying that Morrissey is beyond critics (in fact, I believe an important part of his personal history was marked by failure, misunderstanding and criticism), but, in a time when we see the complete mediocrity of what's in the music charts... give me a break!! The more I see these nobodies hailed as relevant, ground-breaking, revelation, etc. I can only look back to groups like the Smiths and thank God for Morrissey being still active and creative. He makes mistakes? Surely yes, who doesn't? But then again, how many is faring really better? Being REALLY relevant to anyone? Britney Spears? Eminen? Snoopy whatsoever? one of those stupid boys bands? Think about it!

His voice has matured and richened, better than ever... Only question is how awesome the Smiths would have sounded with the voice he has now!

"America is not the World" is one of the best tracks on this whole album, yet you aren't letting people sample it?

This album is nothing less than perfect. Morrissey has once again proven that he IS the best singer/songwriter, and that he is one of the smartest men living.