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I love it. If there is one thing you can rely on Morrissey to provide, it is nice, long song titles - 'Something Is Squeezing My Skull' and 'I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris' are personal favourites. Nothing quite as long as 'The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get', but everyone has their Everest.
Now take the verbose titles and add in one of the most distinctive vocal styles in pop history and I hear you ask, “What is new in Morrissey’s offering? What keeps his new releases interesting 27 years after his first release?” Well firstly, good question, that is exactly the type of insightful probing that we look for in our readers.
To answer... take one listen to Years of Refusal and in every track you’ll recognise a style that a huge number of today’s musicians have evolved into their own sound and built their careers on. That is why he is vital – he was one of the pioneers.
And while the last few releases from Morrissey haven’t been his greatest, on 2009s vintage you’ll note that he has cranked the energy back up, thrown in some anger and aggression and delivered an album that is his best since 1994s Vauxhall
and I.
Album opener ‘Something Is Squeezing My Skull’ signals the intent straight away. It is a rocky, foot-stomping number – and my favourite off the record. This level of energy is maintained throughout the majority of the tracks here. There is the odd reflective moment which moves away from the rock edge, ‘I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris’ being the key example. But all in all this is an enjoyable listen that will get people delving into Morrissey’s back catalogue all over again.
Essential Tracks
Something Is Squeezing My Skull
Black Cloud
I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris
It’s Not Your Birthday Anymore
Full Track Listing
1. Something Is Squeezing My Skull (2:38)
2. Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed (3:53)
3. Black Cloud (2:48)
4. I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris (2:31)
5. All You Need Is Me (3:13)
6. When Last I Spoke To Carol (3:24)
7. That's How People Grow Up (2:59)
8. One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell (2:57)
9. It's Not Your Birthday Anymore (5:10)
10. You Were Good In Your Time (5:01)
11. Sorry Doesn't Help (4:03)
12. I'm Ok By Myself (4:48)
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