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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.

You Are The Quarry
by Morrissey


8.6

based on 31 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 65 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

Official Artist Site

Morrissey's first studio release since 1997 (and seventh overall) was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Jerry Finn (Blink-182, Green Day) and longtime collaborators Alain Whyte and Boz Boorer.

LABEL:	Attack/Sanctuary
RELEASE DATE:	18 May 2004
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Alternative, Rock

NOTES: Some versions include a bonus DVD.

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Entertainment Weekly

A set of irresistible tracks both danceable and desolate. [28 May 2004, p.124]

Filter

Might well be his most brilliant yet. [#10, p.86]

PopMatters

As a singer, Morrissey has never sounded better than this.

Pitchfork

The most entertaining and lushly melodic work of Morrissey's solo career.

No Ripcord

But, and here's the catch, at times the arrangements just don't cut it.

Playlouder

While 'You Are The Quarry' is a very good album it's not the earth shattering masterpiece many had hoped for, nay, expected.

Village Voice

The Moz croon is more succulent than ever, and the music productively splits the difference between Your Arsenal's thrusting butchness and Vauxhall & I's voluptuous enervation.

All Music Guide

It's not so much a return to form as it is a simple return, Morrissey picking up where he left off with Maladjusted, improving on that likeable album with a stronger set of songs and more muscular music.

Drowned In Sound

‘You Are The Quarry’ sees Morrissey back in the ring, lean, limber and fighting fit.

Mojo

Those who have grown up with him will find much to love here. [May 2004, p.90]

Splendid

Despite his gray hairs, Moz's approach to You Are the Quarry is youthful and energetic -- perhaps even punk.

Tiny Mix Tapes

A fantastic record for Morrissey fans.

Blender

His best album since Vauxhall & I. [#27, p.140]

Los Angeles Times

A little heavy on the lugubrious ballads, but it's all Morrissey all the time. [16 May 2004, p.E40]

E! Online

The music doesn't impress much, serving as more a backdrop for Morrissey's lovely chops.

ShakingThrough.net

Despite the intervening years, Quarry sounds cut from exactly the same cloth as the last couple of Morrissey albums, which is to say that at best, it represents a bit of a holding pattern and at worst, it continues the slow artistic decline begun with 1995's lackluster Southpaw Grammar.

Logo

Even a half good Morrissey album is streets ahead of the competition.

Trouser Press

Clicks in all the places his failures did not.

Under The Radar

If you wade through some horrid lyrics and mediocre songcraft, you will find You Are The Quarry stands solidly as a long overdue return to a formative sound. [#7]

Rolling Stone

He submits a dozen songs to crystalline modern engineering and arrangements that place selective bits of mandolin, flute, harp and synthesizer in guitar-and-rhythm grooves, moving forward without losing his identity.

Billboard

At times, the misery borders on cliché, but luckily, "Quarry" sports some of Morrissey's most direct vignettes in years.

Austin Chronicle

Morrissey's songs rattle and hum with swagger and sour pride.

Neumu.net

And flaws there are, with many of the tracks sinking into a midtempo morass with decidedly underdeveloped melodies and daft instrumentation.

Uncut

Flares dazzlingly on initial contact, but dims a little. [Jun 2004, p.92]

Dot Music

For a handful of decent Morrissey songs – and, it must be said, some of his best ever vocal performances – we should be grateful. Ultimately though, for all these tantalising reminders of greatness, "You Are The Quarry" still feels like a man unnecessarily trapped by the limitations of his band and the extent of his loathing.

The Onion (A.V. Club)

Only when Morrissey's wickedly funny side emerges does Quarry find moments worthy of sharing shelf space with his finest.

The New York Times

At this level of lyric artistry, these warmed-over arena rock backdrops are a waste.

Stylus Magazine

Of course, anyone expecting a new Smiths album from this was always going to be disappointed. However, anyone expecting a good album from it is going to be disappointed as well.

New York Magazine

Quarry doesn’t have great songs, just not-so-clever quips.

The Guardian

But just when he seems more relevant than ever, Morrissey has somehow contrived to make an album that sounds incredibly dated.

Q Magazine

Those looking for the kind of soaring poetry that defined The Smiths will surely be depressed by lyrics that are often boringly solipsistic and prosaically worded. [Jun 2004, p.106]

The average user rating for this album is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 65 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Juan A. gave it a9:
Morrissey: We are the quarry !!!!

Enda M gave it a10:
Absolutely excellent. I often return to this record and have SUCH a soft spot for it even now.

jyo_tirmaya d gave it a7:
The only song I really like on this CD which is memorable is "Hector was the Last of the Gang to Die." Everything else seems to be so forgettable. It's a good CD, but I dont' listen to it very much.

lazy dyke gave it a10:
A wonderful album...

Matt J gave it a10:
I have just recently come back to this album like with most great albums it feels like i never left, as always lyrics from the heart and soul, touching yet humorous, my personal not-so-prominent favourite is "i like you" great album

Paul gave it a9:
Morrissey creates an album with an awesome song lineup. Irish blood English heart ultimate classic and i have forgiven jesus one to listen to. Every song i cant flater! Just amazing best 10 quid ever spent thx very much Morrissey

S.L. O'Robot gave it an8:
I came to the party a little late with Morrissey, not really giving him much credence until I heard the collection, "Bona Drag," which I still cherish. I am, however, one of the few who grew up in the 80's who can't be bothered with The Smiths, whom I believe to be staggeringly overrated. That said, I picked up "Quarry" after ignoring most of his solo output, and I found it to be damned near brilliant. Excellent to the point of almost being essential.

You Are The Quarry by Morrissey

You Are The Quarry
by Morrissey