Search - Morrissey :: You Are the Quarry (Bonus Dvd) (Dlx)

YOU ARE THE QUARRY : the one to get

J. Holmes | yokohama, japan | 04/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"yes yes yes..it had been quite a long time since Morrissey had released a new album before Quarry...but he had never gone away. there were still numerous tours and plenty of new songs being aired in his live shows...but there simply was no record deal. so this album is a "comeback" of sorts if it's viewed in terms of popularity...seeeing as how this album ranked really high when it was first released and all of us Moz fans were dizzy with excitement for months and months. some were shouting "best Morrissey album ever!" and while that's a bit of a exageration; there is plenty to be excited about here. and there are a few surprises that left many fans cold. the production, for instance, is staunch and punchy and sounds polished to a glistening bright sound. it sounds good...but maybe not the best sound for Morrissey. there are some moments of brilliance on this album, as with the standout single "First Of The Gang To Die" and the beautiful "Come Back To Camden." those two tracks are my favorite songs on Quarry and (in my opinion) they best represent the Morrissey that most of his fans know and love. having said that, the remainder of the songs here are good...really good. a few painful lyrics pop up here and there (i cringe with uncomfort every time i hear that "hamburger" line in "America Is Not The World"). one more thing i do not appreciate about this album are the goofy electronic stuff that blips and bleeps in some of the songs. most notably in the song "All The Lazy Dykes." this song carries a wonderful melody and has a pleasant dreaminess to it (actually, i was surprised at how much that song was maligned by fans; considering how much of a Vauxhall And I feeling i associate with it...despite the interruptive synthesizer stuff). so...overall, i'd give You Are The Quarry a 3.5 as a single album. but tacking on all of these extra b-sides ups the quality a great deal! every one of the bonus songs here are the real meat of the Quarry recording sessions. it makes me feel a bit like the tracklisting of the original Quarry album should have been replanned and reconsidered. but so much for complaining now...since this handy disc is here with the original Quarry album and all the great b-sides! it's the difference between a good solid record and an absolutely amazing collection of songs worth every penny!"