Deano's Review of 'Years of Refusal'
Something Is Squeezing Me Skull - Expected more power, like getting the hairdryer treatment from Jane Goody, from the album version. But will always be a live track for me. The 'me more' bit at the end sounds like Moz has a speech impediment
Vocals generally on the record are good. 7/10
Marmalade Lay Softly On The Riverbed - Again, there just isn't that dominant sound at the beginning of the record that would have raised the album to the next level as it progresses through. The drum levels could have done with being whacked up for this song for me. Morrissey's vocals again are generally good, tries some different pitches away from the expected. I especially like it where he goes low at 2:44. Don't like the electronic-whiney bit at the end. 7/10
Black Cloud - Nice start to this record, much more like it. When Morrissey's vocals kick in, it sounds very raw and continues upto the songs namesake with a nice polished guitar 5 seconds before this utterance. Stops dead in its tracks around 1:40 to give us all a breather when we are singing this one on the tour. Euphoric towards end with the elevated repetition of Black Cloud 25/30 seconds from the end. 8.5/10
I'm Throwing My Arms Around Harris - Will be the second single. Flowery record that will attract a large section of music fans to the album whether they're 8 or 80. Kind of plods along for me with a nice backing melody and a passable chorus. 6/10
All You Need Is Puree - Continues the albums wider appeal for me. Wouldn't look out of place on YATQ. Fast paced, great tone, Morrissey sings well on this track. This will be a grower, especially for die hards i believe who may dismiss it for being one of the more commercial-esque tracks, and for it being heard late last year. Good ending with the 'You're gonna miss me when i'm gone' which i hope you Star and Garter members will when Andy finally decides to bar me / give me a testimonial month and puts my name on a golden plaque on the wonky pool table. 7.5 / 10
When I Spoke To Cazza - Morrissey flirtation with something experimental on the record and mixes the album up a bit after two populist tracks. It's a filler for me but it's good Moz is still trying new things, implementing a sound that the Hispanics will definitely love. Bring on the castanets for this one, but i won't be wearing the coloured dress. 6 /10
That's How Peeps Grow Up - The vocalist mistaken for a pron star gets her rampant rabbit out to achieve the sound at the beginning of this record. When released on the Greatest Hits (volume 17) i dismissed the record as Morrissey's poorest single to date. Again the track adds to the broader attraction to the album for many bog standard music fans. I think it's average, but for some reason can't stop listening to it?!? It doesn't seem to have any personality, or tie into anything Moz seems to have done before, and isn't experimental really in any way. A confusing record, but a popular listen at the moment for me and may change my opinion of it being his poorest single. 6.5 / 10.
One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell - Great start to the record. Quickening riff (is it?) and drums drums drummmmmms!!! When Morrisseys voice kicks in, you are drawn into a mysterious cave in which you find Blackbeards treasure chest inside by the time he sings the songs namesake. Whilst digging through its treasures, you find a glorious crown around the 2:00 mark and the Moz returns to give you a lovely pearl necklace at the end around the 2:30 mark. Nice fadeout, timing is perfect and would love to have Black Cloud played again straight after. Sorry for all the pron metaphors, but i would say this is my ejaculative point of the record. 9.5 / 10
It's Not Your Smurfday Anymore - Great sound on this record, loftier and loftier but i'm personally not impressed with how Moz sings on parts of this record. The verses are sang adoringly, but these parts are spoiled for me with his ooooooooness around the 2:00 mark, and some extension of singing the end of the title would have given it more of a ballad feel. Morrissey sounds very youthful on this record, like he has rolled back his vocals to the Kill Uncle days. I think this song could have been great, but just didn't get there for me. 7 / 10 (changed as my mate Gaz thinks i'm a clown for giving it a 6, listened to the track 3 times).
You Were Good In Your Time - Can't see it being on the live set list but who knows with Moz, as it's in the same mould as 'I'm Not Sorry' and that was played on the YATQ tour. Just seems to plod along for me, it doesn't have such appeal as other slow tracks like 'Pigsty' or 'Dear God Please Help Me'. Worst track on the album. 5 / 10.
Sortie Doesn't Help - You can feel the album drawing to an end with this track. Racey patches with a pace which 'That's How People Grow Up' follows for the lyrics. Best part of the track is around 2:30 for me when Tobias gets a play about with his guitar and adds a distinct sound to identify the track. Moz attempts to lift the record but the foundations sound and feel bland. 6 / 10.
I'm OK With Meself - A hopeful start to the record to close the album off in style. The lyrical pace is all over, which is a positive thing for me however strange that sounds. Will have the die hards bouncing around for bits and bats, then holding their arms aloft around 2:00 taking in a great track. I think Morrissey might have his tambourine out for this doobie. Morrissey and the band give their all within this record and they will be absolutely shagged at the end of playing it as it's full of energy. Not a bagful of coffee creams this track. Around 3:40, Morrissey and the band go on a mission, and to think the guy is 50 and the energy put into this track throughout is remarkable. Leaves me with the impression he still has a lot to offer. I'm so tempted to give it a 10 for it being a track completely on it's own, but One Day just pips it for me as being the most complete track on the album. 9 / 10