Morrissey says he doesn’t have a label or record contract in place to put out his recently announced and completed 10th studio album. In the meantime, Mozz performed a new track, “People Are The Same Everywhere” live at the Maida Vale studios for the Janice Long Show on BBC Radio in early June. Download “People Are The Same Everywhere” by Morrissey here or stream it below:
It was another full year of remarkable live shows in 2009, which was also not immune to a few train wrecks (Enon, Dan Deacon). Whether it was a cold and rainy night in Philly to see White Lies overcome a historically shitty venue to play a show for the ages or a late night train ride to the East Village to see Karin Dreijer Andersson’s Fever Ray outfit put on a visually stunning performance, this past year reinforced our music fandom. Here’s a list of our favorite shows of 2009:
Least Favorite:
This year really didn’t end up being that “greatest of the decade” as January-March may have suggested. With that said, our favorite tracks list became very album-heavy as it evolved throughout the year. With seven tracks from Animal Collective and Grizzly Bear in the top 20, you kinda get the point. Here is our very biased list of favorite tracks from 2009:
2009 started off as one of the strongest years for music in the decade but then slipped into a summer that left us scratching our heads and yearning for more. An impressive set of Fall releases surprised their way onto our Favorites List and cemented 2009 as a year that will impress music lovers in retrospect. These are our favorite albums from the past year:
1. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
2. Fever Ray – Fever Ray
3. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
4. Fuck Buttons – Tarot Sport
5. Built to Spill – There Is No Enemy
6. Atlas Sound – Logos
7. Morrissey – Years of Refusal
8. Dredg – The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion
9. White Lies – To Lose Your Life
10. Moderat – Moderat
11. The Mars Volta – Octahedron
12. MC Rut – Middle Class Rut
13. Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca
14. Great Northern – Remind Me Where The Light Is
15. HEALTH – Get Color
16. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
17. The Flaming Lips – Embyronic
18. Bat For Lashes – Two Suns
19. Isis – Wavering Radiant
20. Royksopp – Junior
Most Disappointing Albums:
Morrissey has already put out one of the best records of 2009, and the opportunity to see him at one of the most prestigious halls in the world was overwhelming. He took the stage in his tux Thursday night at Carnegie Hall, backed by his band who were dressed in matching black button-down shirts with white ties decorated with a James Dean decal at the bottom. Moz bowed to a standing ovation and confided, “To think I sat down by Grand Central Station and wept” before going into the opener “This Charming Man” from The Smiths self-titled debut released some 26 years ago. It was fitting that Morrissey then went into “Black Cloud” from his 2009 release Years of Refusal. Moments earlier he quipped, “It’s a great privilege to be in this hall. Leonard Bernstein, the entire cast of Lost in Space, James Darren. It’s a privilege.”
Moz’s voice was flawless throughout the set, and he was quite talkative in between each song. After introducing the band he said, “And who am I? I’m the great and filthy tide of life.” Modesty has never been his strong suit. He even went on to a bit of trash talk, asking the audience, “Well, you didn’t make it to the Bowery Ballroom? Well, you’re quite wise.” The grand hall is a magnificent venue, with its tiered balconies overlooking the floor seats that are separated by two aisles. The first row and the front of the aisles became a crowd of hands, longing for a touch of Moz throughout the show. He put the microphone in front of one girl who screamed “I love you!” He replied with what would be the line of the night: “No, no I’m like a dog from a rescue home, I can’t be loved.” Seconds later, as he walked to the other side of the grand stage toward a sea of hands, a man screamed out “I broke my neck at one of your concerts.” Unmoved, Moz replied, “It was worth it.”
The set was well balanced with his solo work and a smattering of Smiths songs, including the crowd pleasing “How Soon Is Now.” At 49, Moz still rips his shirt off (twice), throwing it into the audience as fans scatter to get a piece of a living musical legend. With the raw power of his latest release, he has proven to be viable in the modern day music scene. 
He approached the end of his set with new songs “I’m OK by Myself” and “Something Is Squeezing My Skull.” The energy in the Hall was electric, and the audience included a mix of longtime fans and a younger crowd that was there to show respect for arguably one of the most influential recording artists of all time.
For the encore he played “First of the Gang To Die” from his 2004 album You Are the Quarry. The tradition of fans running on stage began shortly thereafter, and two fans were successful before bouncers carried them off the stage and out the door. The highlight of the night came in the middle of the show when Moz went backstage and came out holding his tour manager’s son in the same position as the cover of Years of Refusal. He said, “This is Sebastian, the star of Years of Refusal.” This moment in the show sent chills down my spine and sealed the perfect unforgettable night.
Setlist
This Charming Man
Black Cloud
When Last I Spoke To Carol
How Soon Is Now
Irish Blood English Heart
Let Me Kiss You
I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris
How Could Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel
Seasick Yet Still Docked
The Loop
I Keep Mine Hidden
The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores
Ask
Best Friend On The Payroll
Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed
One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell
Death Of A Disco Dancer
Sorry Doesn’t Help
Something Is Squeezing My Skull
I’m OK By Myself
Encore:
First Of The Gang To Die
Morrissey-First of the Gang to die (Live from Jools Holland 2004)
This week saw the release of Morrissey’s highly anticipated new album, Years of Refusal. It does not mark what some are calling a comeback, because Morrissey’s last few records have been a revitalization of one of our greatest songwriters. No musical icon has aged more gracefully than the 49-year old vegetarian. It’s just that his new batch of self-pity and self-aggrandizement make up one of the best records that will be released this year. Morrissey’s mix of transparent arrogance and non-stop self-loathing has never been better. There is a certain edge to several of the tracks this time around, as well as a facetious edict disguised as a ballad (see “You Were Good in Your Time”).
The opening track, which Moz performed brilliantly on Jimmy Kimmel Live (embedded video below), is an album standout and works perfectly as an introduction to all the feel good songs to follow. In the closing moments Morrissey professes his frustrations with anti-depressants, “Diazapam, Valium, Tarmazpam, Lithium, HRT, ECT | How long must I stay on this stuff? | Please don’t give me more (repeating).” There is absolutely no filler on the album, a requirement of an end-of-year list. The first single, “I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris” is the most radio-friendly track on the album. The song highlights Moz’s lyrical self-pity juxtaposed with an upbeat, melodic instrumentation: “I’m throwing my arms around Paris because nobody wants my love.”
The lyrics on Years of Refusal are among Morrissey’s best, and that’s saying something considering his track record. Every line of every song seems quotable. There are too many highlights to list, but here are a few:
Morrissey closes the album lyrically in grandiose fashion, admitting that his lifelong struggle for companionship may be a blessing in disguise: “This might make you throw up in your bed | I’m OK by myself, and I don’t need you | And I never have, never have.” Moz ends the track by relentlessly yelping “No, no, no.” The words are barely decipherable over the effects and noise of the album’s crescendo, but it’s the best moment of the record. You’ll be hearing more about this album, and it should see Moz included on many end-of-year lists. Yeah, the Grammys are an industry joke, but this record will most likely collect a few nominations.
Mark’s:
Pete’s:
Marks:
Petes:
