You Are The Quarry

There has never been a better time for Morrissey to make his return. Namechecked by every bright young guitar-slinging band from Franz Ferdinand to Interpol, he has succeeded Weller as the godfather of modern Indie. Anticipation for his seventh solo album began early in 2003 and now, finally, the wait is over and ‘You Are The Quarry’ has arrived.

Although now living and working in California (parts of this album were also recorded there) ‘You Are The Quarry’ is a very British album. Opening track ‘America Is Not The World’ brandishes a biting lyric criticising Americanisation whilst first single ‘Irish Blood, English Heart’ answers the critics who accused Morrissey of jingoism in a celebration of his roots.

‘You Are The Quarry’ stands up as one of Morrissey’s most essential albums. Probably his best work since ‘Vauxhall & I’; it is an album that confirms his reputation as a living legend in modern music. Although the opening track ‘America Is Not The World’ kicks the album off in a disappointingly weak fashion (think Geneva’s insipid Smiths' parodies) the bar is raised again and again throughout the rest of the album. ‘Irish Blood, English Heart’ is a full on rock anthem (indebted, no doubt, to producer Jerry Finn’s previous work with AFI and Green Day) whilst ‘First Of The Gang To Die’ is the kind of summer tune that they just don’t make anymore. Rumoured to be the second single (and sadly not a touching eulogy to Joe Strummer) it is the sort of track that will unite ageing Smiths fans and new converts alike. Album highlight, though, is ‘How Could Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel’; a wonderful throwback to prime Smiths and perfect fodder for indie-discos across the land. The closing trio of ‘All The Lazy Dykes’, ‘I Like You’ and ‘You Know I Couldn’t Last’ ends the album on a terrific high. Three of the best songs Morrissey has ever written and proof that the Moz-father is well and truly back.

Steven Patrick Morrissey has returned – and what a return. ‘You Are The Quarry’ is a lyrical and musical masterpiece guaranteed to cause Franz Ferdinand some sleepless nights come the end of year polls. Funny, sad, touching and spiteful, welcome back Morrissey…don’t leave it so long next time.