Some say, that the great rock stars age gracefully. Almost like their legend holds them outside of time. Luckily for Steven Patrick Morrissey, the former mastermind of the 80’s brit-band The Smiths, this statement holds true. Yet, it’s a shame that the same can’t be said for his music.
You are the Quarry is the first from Morrissey in over 7 years and is a tragic fall from grace. An album of this
magnitude could not only destroy his highly anticipated up-coming tour, it could destroy a legend.
Even since the master of melancholy left his great-gray home in Manchester for the ever-sunny slopes of Hollywood,
something has been eating at his soul and his music. The opening track titled "America Is Not the World" is in a single word, shocking. While the title to an album
is not always the single, it is, however, an important one. It is the first thing one hears after spending $17.99
at a local record shop. And unfortunately, this opening track sets the pace for the rest of the album.
"America Is Not The World" is a poorly written critique, listing many of the things that Morrissey bloody well hates
of this country that he calls his new home. According to the non-committal Bio on Morrissey’s official site,
www.morrisseymusic.com, the song is “a conflicted love letter to his new home…
taking in cultural imperialism, over-consumption and racial/sexual intolerance.”
While tackling many of the political themes that he has stood by over the years, the new songs lack something that made the former albums so poetic and wonderful. Once a lyrical genius, Morrissey has taken a step towards the mundane and at times completely rudimentary. “America, it brought you the hamburger. Well America, you know where you can shove your hamburger.”
The album continues in this poorly written, melodramatic way through other songs such as "I have forgiven Jesus," "All the Lazy Dykes," and ends ironically with "You Know I Couldn’t Last."
One can’t help but search the album for that one song that through it’s heart-wrenching lyrics and breath-taking melodies rings true and strikes that nostalgic chord deep with-in. And while, at times, if you close your eyes and pretend you can’t understand what he is singing about, you can almost hear it. Buried deep within these hollow lyrics and elevator instrumentals is the ghost of something great.
While the album, released on Morrissey’s own Attack Records, has echo’s of what was once an amazing songwriter and singer, I wouldn’t put this album on the same shelf as any of his others, let alone in the same store as any of the Smiths albums.
I believe even Morrissey himself said it best, back in 1988. “’There's always time to change, son!’ Yes well I've changed but I'm in pain! Dial-a-cliché.” And anyone who listens to this album, too, will be in pain. Morrissey’s self-loathing has finally got the best of him and even his song titles, like track 7 (how can anybody possibly know how I feel?) have become a cliché. Rest in peace Steven Patrick Morrissey. When is the Smiths Reunion?
Artist:
Morrissey