Great Rock Albums (2) Morrissey - You Are the Quarry

Morrissey's 2004 album You Are the Quarry was Mozza's seventh studio album and, arguably, his best work since going solo - after his glorious career with The Smiths.

Never afraid of ruffling feathers, Morrissey's America Is Not the World is a beautifully melodic first track, but is a barbed and perceptive attack on the US, while Irish Blood, English Heart is a powerful attack on England being stuck in the mire, and the public supporting people not worthy of that support. It's also a cry for an England to be proud of. I Have Forgiven Jesus asks the questions we all ask about Jesus, God, and religion. Morrissey's vulnerable vocals, a chugging groove, and inspired chord changes make this the stand-out track on the album.

Fabulous 40s

One of the weaker songs onYou Are the Quarryis Come Back to Camden. Lyrically it's vivid, but musically it drags. I'm Not Sorry is dreamy, and has the "the woman of my dreams/she never came along" lines, which no doubt made tabloid journos eyes light up. The World Is Full of Crashing Bores sees Morrissey at his most vitriolic, while guitar traces of Here Comes the Sun are deceptive on the self-deprecating How Can Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel?

First of the Gang to Die is the most famous song on the album. It's catchy, and, lyrically, is like a West Side Story tale for the early 21st Century. Let Me Kiss You is another dreamy track, with some magical musical touches. The witty All the Lazy Dykes is a beautiful song, and sees Mozza and band in top form. The quirky I Like You is the penultimate track, and You Know I Couldn't Last closes things. Some interesting mood changes here, as well as Morrissey's cynical take on the music industry - and maybe some poison darts aimed at some of his personal acquaintances...

You Are the Quarry proved Morrissey to be at the forefront of English singer/songwriters. Very few artists retain the sort of freshness past 40, Morrissey displays here.

You Are the Quarry Track Listing

America Is Not the World (Morrissey/Whyte)
Irish Blood, English Heart (Morrissey/Whyte)
I Have Forgiven Jesus (Morrissey/Whyte)
Come Back to Camden (Morrissey/Boorer)
I'm Not Sorry (Morrissey/Boorer)
The World Is Full of Crashing Bores (Morrissey/Boorer)
How Can Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel? (Morrissey/Whyte)
First of the Gang to Die (Morrissey/Whyte)
Let Me Kiss You (Morrissey/Whyte)
All the Lazy Dykes (Morrissey/Whyte)
I Like You (Morrissey/Boorer)
You Know I Couldn't Last (Morrissey/Whyte/Day)