Years of Refusal
Encyclopedia
Years of Refusal is the ninth solo album by Morrissey
. Distributed by Decca
in the UK and Lost Highway in the US, it was released on 16 February 2009 in the UK and on 17 February 2009 in the US. Morrissey has described his newest album, the follow-up to 2006's UK #1 record Ringleader of the Tormentors
, as his "strongest work to date".
at Conway Recording Studios
. Mixing began in early February 2008. An additional track for the album was recorded in late May according to drummer Matt Walker
. Keyboardist Michael Farrell
left the band prior to the album's completion so Morrissey recruited Roger Manning
to fill in. Manning previously played on Morrissey's 2004 album You Are The Quarry
. Manning had this to say about the recording of the album:
In an interview on BBC Radio 5 Live
with Tony Visconti
, the producer stated that his new project would be "the next Morrissey album", though that this would not be forthcoming for at least a year. However, in an interview with the BBC News website in October 2007, Morrissey said that the album was already written and ready for a possible Autumn 2008 release. In December, Morrissey signed a new deal with Decca Records
, which included a Greatest Hits
album and a newly-recorded album to follow in Autumn 2008.
It was announced in November 2007 that Jerry Finn
, the man behind Morrissey's 2004 album You Are the Quarry
, would be producing the new album instead of Tony Visconti. A reason for the change was rumored to be related to Kristeen Young
, Morrissey's opening act at the time, and Visconti's supposed involvement. Further "proof" of this rumor is the occurrence of L.A. radio station INDIE 103.1's Joe Escalante
leaking that Jerry Finn was the producer of the new album the day following Kristeen Young's firing from the 2007/2008 'Greatest Hits' tour. This was also a full week before the official announcement from Decca that Jerry Finn was to produce the new album.
However, in a June 2008 interview with Hot Press magazine Morrissey cleared up the issue:
On 30 May 2008, true-to-you.net posted the following on Morrissey's 2008 album:
Of the twelve tracks, current guitarist Boz Boorer
has written four and former guitarist Alain Whyte
has written five. The remaining three tracks are Jesse Tobias
compositions. Though he wrote nearly half the songs on the album Whyte did not participate in the recording. Years of Refusal marks the first time since 1992's Your Arsenal
that Alain Whyte has not performed on a Morrissey album. Featured tracks "That's How People Grow Up
", "All You Need Is Me
", "Something Is Squeezing My Skull
", "Mama Lay Softly on the Riverbed", "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
" and "One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell", were all debuted on Morrissey's 2007/2008 Greatest Hits tour. The photo on the album cover for Years of Refusal is a portrait by Jake Walters. The baby pictured with Morrissey is Sebastien Pesel-Browne, who is the son of Charlie Browne, Morrissey's assistant tour manager. Sebastien's mother met Charlie at a Morrissey concert in Boston.
Originally Years of Refusal was to be released on 15 September 2008 in the UK and 16 September 2008 in the US. However, the album's release date was delayed until 2 February 2009 at the request of Decca UK so Morrissey could have time to shop for a new label to distribute the album in the US after he withdrew from Decca US for their 'poor promotion of his Greatest Hits release'. It was also later announced that 23 February 2009 would be the new release date for Years of Refusal. Finally, in a press release from Universal Music it was announced that the final release date for the album would be 16 February 2009 with the first single, "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris", preceding the album a week earlier on 9 February 2009.
Early reviews of the album suggest a return to the form of You Are the Quarry, ClashMusic commenting that it is "in a word, 'brilliant'" and that "it’s hard to listen to this album and not conclude that it’s one of his best as a solo artist".
Pitchfork Media
, along with giving the album an 8.1 rating, lauded Years of Refusal highly for its "rejuvenation" of Morrissey:
Spin
, having given the album a four star rating, had this to say:
Q magazine
, who gave the album a three star rating, praised and criticized the album saying:
John Earls of Planet Sound
saw the album as a return to form in his 8 out of 10 rating;
Morrissey
Steven Patrick Morrissey , known as Morrissey, is an English singer and lyricist. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lyricist and vocalist of the alternative rock band The Smiths. The band was highly successful in the United Kingdom but broke up in 1987, and Morrissey began a solo career,...
. Distributed by Decca
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
in the UK and Lost Highway in the US, it was released on 16 February 2009 in the UK and on 17 February 2009 in the US. Morrissey has described his newest album, the follow-up to 2006's UK #1 record Ringleader of the Tormentors
Ringleader of the Tormentors
-The Band:* Morrissey – vocals* Alain Whyte – guitars and backing vocals* Boz Boorer – guitars* Jesse Tobias – guitars* Gary Day – bass guitar* Matt Chamberlain – drums* Michael Farrell – piano, organ, keyboards, trumpet, trombone and percussion...
, as his "strongest work to date".
Recording and release
Recording for the album commenced in late November and ended in late December 2007 in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
at Conway Recording Studios
Conway Recording Studios
Conway Recording Studios is a recording and post production facility in Hollywood, California.Conway has hosted a variety of producers, mixers and artists, such as Alicia Keys, Barbra Streisand, The Black Eyed Peas, Blink-182, Britney Spears, Carlos Santana, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews Band,...
. Mixing began in early February 2008. An additional track for the album was recorded in late May according to drummer Matt Walker
Matt Walker (drummer)
Matt Walker is a musician and former drummer for Filter, The Smashing Pumpkins and current drummer for Morrissey.Matt Walker began his career in Chicago in the mid 80s, when Matt began playing drums for the already well known Scott Bennett of Scott Bennett & The Obvious and did double duty playing...
. Keyboardist Michael Farrell
Michael Farrell (musician)
Michael Farrell is a keyboardist, musical director, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist best known for his work both recording and touring with Morrissey and Macy Gray.-Early life:...
left the band prior to the album's completion so Morrissey recruited Roger Manning
Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. is an American keyboard player and founding member of bands Jellyfish, Imperial Drag, The Moog Cookbook, and TV Eyes. He has also spent several years as an integral member of Beck's backing band, and made contributions to several recordings by the band Air. He is...
to fill in. Manning previously played on Morrissey's 2004 album You Are The Quarry
You Are the Quarry
-CD:-DVD:# "Irish Blood, English Heart" # "First of the Gang to Die" # "First of the Gang to Die" # "I Have Forgiven Jesus"...
. Manning had this to say about the recording of the album:
In an interview on BBC Radio 5 Live
BBC Radio 5 Live
BBC Radio 5 Live is the BBC's national radio service that specialises in live BBC News, phone-ins, and sports commentaries...
with Tony Visconti
Tony Visconti
Anthony Edward Visconti is an American record producer and sometimes a musician or singer.Since the late 1960s, he has worked with an array of performers; his lengthiest involvement with any artist is with David Bowie: intermittently from Bowie's 1969 album Space Oddity to 2003's Reality, Visconti...
, the producer stated that his new project would be "the next Morrissey album", though that this would not be forthcoming for at least a year. However, in an interview with the BBC News website in October 2007, Morrissey said that the album was already written and ready for a possible Autumn 2008 release. In December, Morrissey signed a new deal with Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
, which included a Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits (Morrissey album)
-Bonus live CD:Initial runs of the album will be accompanied by a bonus CD of songs recorded live at the Hollywood Bowl in 2007. The international version features eight tracks, whereas the US version features "That's How People Grow Up" as Track 8, pushing "Life Is a Pigsty" to track...
album and a newly-recorded album to follow in Autumn 2008.
It was announced in November 2007 that Jerry Finn
Jerry Finn
Jerry Finn was an American record producer. He was perhaps best known for his work with Blink-182, as well as Morrissey, AFI, Bad Religion, Alkaline Trio, MxPx, Rancid, Green Day, Sum 41 and The Offspring.-Death:...
, the man behind Morrissey's 2004 album You Are the Quarry
You Are the Quarry
-CD:-DVD:# "Irish Blood, English Heart" # "First of the Gang to Die" # "First of the Gang to Die" # "I Have Forgiven Jesus"...
, would be producing the new album instead of Tony Visconti. A reason for the change was rumored to be related to Kristeen Young
Kristeen Young
Kristeen Young is an American singer, songwriter and keyboardist from St. Louis, Missouri. She is noted for her aggressive style and four-octave vocal range....
, Morrissey's opening act at the time, and Visconti's supposed involvement. Further "proof" of this rumor is the occurrence of L.A. radio station INDIE 103.1's Joe Escalante
Joe Escalante
Joseph Patrick "Joe" Escalante is an American musician, record label owner, radio host, film and music video director, and amateur matador, as well as a former television executive and entertainment lawyer...
leaking that Jerry Finn was the producer of the new album the day following Kristeen Young's firing from the 2007/2008 'Greatest Hits' tour. This was also a full week before the official announcement from Decca that Jerry Finn was to produce the new album.
However, in a June 2008 interview with Hot Press magazine Morrissey cleared up the issue:
On 30 May 2008, true-to-you.net posted the following on Morrissey's 2008 album:
Of the twelve tracks, current guitarist Boz Boorer
Boz Boorer
Boz Boorer is a British guitarist and producer most known for his work founding the new wave rockabilly group, The Polecats, and later for his work as a co-writer, guitarist and musical director with Morrissey.-The Polecats:The band "Cult Heroes" was formed in 1977 by Tim Worman , Boz...
has written four and former guitarist Alain Whyte
Alain Whyte
Alain Gordon Whyte is an English guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is most known for being Morrissey's main songwriting partner since 1991 and his lead guitarist from 1991-2004...
has written five. The remaining three tracks are Jesse Tobias
Jesse Tobias
Jesse Tobias is a Texan guitarist of Mexican origin. He first gained notoriety during a brief tenure with the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1993, although he was replaced by Dave Navarro within a month after joining the band. Before he joined the Chili Peppers, he briefly played with the L.A. based...
compositions. Though he wrote nearly half the songs on the album Whyte did not participate in the recording. Years of Refusal marks the first time since 1992's Your Arsenal
Your Arsenal
Your Arsenal is a 1992 album by British singer Morrissey, which was released through HMV Records. The album was regarded by many fans and critics as his strongest and heaviest effort yet upon its release...
that Alain Whyte has not performed on a Morrissey album. Featured tracks "That's How People Grow Up
That's How People Grow Up
"That's How People Grow Up" is a 2008 single by British singer Morrissey. The song, released on 4 February 2008, was used to promote his latest Greatest Hits album...
", "All You Need Is Me
All You Need Is Me
"All You Need Is Me" is a 2008 song by Morrissey that is featured on his Greatest Hits album. It was released as a single on 2 June 2008 in the UK for only one week. It reached #24 in the UK Top 40...
", "Something Is Squeezing My Skull
Something Is Squeezing My Skull
"Something Is Squeezing My Skull" is a song with lyrics by Morrissey and music by Alain Whyte. The song is the second single to be released from Morrissey's 2009 album Years of Refusal. It was recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Jerry Finn, the man behind 2004’s You Are the Quarry...
", "Mama Lay Softly on the Riverbed", "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
"I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris" is a song written by Morrissey along with Boz Boorer, the two being responsible for lyrics and music respectively. The song was the first single to be released from Morrissey's 2009 album Years of Refusal. It was recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Jerry...
" and "One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell", were all debuted on Morrissey's 2007/2008 Greatest Hits tour. The photo on the album cover for Years of Refusal is a portrait by Jake Walters. The baby pictured with Morrissey is Sebastien Pesel-Browne, who is the son of Charlie Browne, Morrissey's assistant tour manager. Sebastien's mother met Charlie at a Morrissey concert in Boston.
Originally Years of Refusal was to be released on 15 September 2008 in the UK and 16 September 2008 in the US. However, the album's release date was delayed until 2 February 2009 at the request of Decca UK so Morrissey could have time to shop for a new label to distribute the album in the US after he withdrew from Decca US for their 'poor promotion of his Greatest Hits release'. It was also later announced that 23 February 2009 would be the new release date for Years of Refusal. Finally, in a press release from Universal Music it was announced that the final release date for the album would be 16 February 2009 with the first single, "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris", preceding the album a week earlier on 9 February 2009.
Reception
On 11 December 2008, Morrissey, along with Polydor president Ferdy Unger-Hamilton, unveiled Years of Refusal in London to a select group of journalists with a special listening of the album at Piccadilly's Pigalle Club. First impressions of the album were universally positive.Early reviews of the album suggest a return to the form of You Are the Quarry, ClashMusic commenting that it is "in a word, 'brilliant'" and that "it’s hard to listen to this album and not conclude that it’s one of his best as a solo artist".
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
, along with giving the album an 8.1 rating, lauded Years of Refusal highly for its "rejuvenation" of Morrissey:
Spin
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
, having given the album a four star rating, had this to say:
Q magazine
Q (magazine)
Q is a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom.Founders Mark Ellen and David Hepworth were dismayed by the music press of the time, which they felt was ignoring a generation of older music buyers who were buying CDs — then still a new technology...
, who gave the album a three star rating, praised and criticized the album saying:
John Earls of Planet Sound
Planet Sound
Planet Sound was a Teletext music page on ITV and Channel 4 in the UK. It was broadcast on analogue Teletext from page 340, and on digital Teletext from page 820. From May 24, 2007, Planet Sound was also available to read online via the Teletext website...
saw the album as a return to form in his 8 out of 10 rating;
Track listing
Special Edition DVD
- "Wrestle with Russell" (an interview with Russell BrandRussell BrandRussell Edward Brand is an English comedian, actor, columnist, singer, author and radio/television presenter.Brand achieved mainstream fame in the UK in 2004 for his role as host of Big Brother spin-off, Big Brother's Big Mouth. His first major film role was in the 2007 film St Trinians...
) - "That's How People Grow Up" (Performed live on Friday Night with Jonathan RossFriday Night with Jonathan RossFriday Night with Jonathan Ross was a British comedy chat show presented by Jonathan Ross. It was first broadcast on BBC One on 2 November 2001. The programme featured Ross's take on current topics of conversation, guest interviews and live music from both a guest music group and the house band...
) - "All You Need Is Me" (Performed live on Later... with Jools Holland)
- "All You Need Is Me" (Promotional video)
Chart positions
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian Albums Chart Ultratop 50 Ultratop 50 singles, often just Ultratop 50, is the weekly chart of fifty best-selling singles in Flanders, Belgium, and is produced and published by the Ultratop organization. The chart has existed since March 31, 1995... (Flanders) |
8 |
| Finnish Albums Chart | 10 |
| Mexican Albums Chart AMPROFON Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas is a non-profit organization integrated by multinational and national record companies in Mexico. Established on April 3, 1963, it groups phonographic companies that represent more than 70 percent of the market in Mexico... |
29 |
| Swedish Albums Chart | 5 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
3 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
11 |
The band
- MorrisseyMorrisseySteven Patrick Morrissey , known as Morrissey, is an English singer and lyricist. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lyricist and vocalist of the alternative rock band The Smiths. The band was highly successful in the United Kingdom but broke up in 1987, and Morrissey began a solo career,...
– vocalistSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Boz BoorerBoz BoorerBoz Boorer is a British guitarist and producer most known for his work founding the new wave rockabilly group, The Polecats, and later for his work as a co-writer, guitarist and musical director with Morrissey.-The Polecats:The band "Cult Heroes" was formed in 1977 by Tim Worman , Boz...
– guitaristGuitaristA guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely... - Jesse TobiasJesse TobiasJesse Tobias is a Texan guitarist of Mexican origin. He first gained notoriety during a brief tenure with the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1993, although he was replaced by Dave Navarro within a month after joining the band. Before he joined the Chili Peppers, he briefly played with the L.A. based...
– guitarist - Solomon WalkerSolomon WalkerSolomon Walker is an American bass guitarist. He has played with Morrissey since 2007 and appears on the album Years of Refusal. Prior to joining Morrissey, Solomon was a member of the groups Year of the Rabbit, The Joy Circuit, and Cupcakes. He lives in West Hollywood. -References:...
– bassistBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Matt WalkerMatt Walker (drummer)Matt Walker is a musician and former drummer for Filter, The Smashing Pumpkins and current drummer for Morrissey.Matt Walker began his career in Chicago in the mid 80s, when Matt began playing drums for the already well known Scott Bennett of Scott Bennett & The Obvious and did double duty playing...
– drummerDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Additional credits
- Roger Joseph Manning Jr.Roger Joseph Manning Jr.Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. is an American keyboard player and founding member of bands Jellyfish, Imperial Drag, The Moog Cookbook, and TV Eyes. He has also spent several years as an integral member of Beck's backing band, and made contributions to several recordings by the band Air. He is...
– keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Mark IshamMark IshamMark Isham is an American trumpeter, synthesist, and film composer. He works in a variety of genres, including jazz, electronic, and film.-Life and career:...
– trumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
(tracks 4, 6, & 8) - Jeff BeckJeff BeckGeoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
– guitar (track 3) - Michael FarrellMichael Farrell (musician)Michael Farrell is a keyboardist, musical director, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist best known for his work both recording and touring with Morrissey and Macy Gray.-Early life:...
– keyboards, accordionAccordionThe accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
, cowbell (track 7) - Kristopher PooleyKristopher PooleyKristopher Michael Pooley is an American rock musician from Detroit that is most popular for his work with Gwen Stefani as her touring keyboardist, programmer, and musical director. He has also toured with Jane's Addiction, Kenna, Justincase, Liz Phair, Siouxsie Sioux, The Vandals, Smashing...
– backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
(tracks 2, 6, & 8) - Kristeen YoungKristeen YoungKristeen Young is an American singer, songwriter and keyboardist from St. Louis, Missouri. She is noted for her aggressive style and four-octave vocal range....
– additional vocals (track 7) - Chrissie HyndeChrissie HyndeChristine Ellen "Chrissie" Hynde is an US musician best known as the leader of the rock/new wave band the Pretenders. She is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, and has been the only constant member of the band throughout its history.-Early life and career:Hynde is the daughter of a part-time...
– backing vocals (track 14) - Jerry FinnJerry FinnJerry Finn was an American record producer. He was perhaps best known for his work with Blink-182, as well as Morrissey, AFI, Bad Religion, Alkaline Trio, MxPx, Rancid, Green Day, Sum 41 and The Offspring.-Death:...
– producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music... - Seth Waldmann – engineerAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
- Jake Walters – photographyPhotographyPhotography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
(front cover) - Travis Shinn – photography (group)