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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
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You Are The Quarry
by Morrissey
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]
91
Filter
Might well be his most brilliant yet. [#10, p.86]
90
PopMatters
As a singer, Morrissey has never sounded better than this.
89
Pitchfork
The most entertaining and lushly melodic work of Morrissey's solo career.
80
No Ripcord
But, and here's the catch, at times the arrangements just don't cut it.
80
Playlouder
While 'You Are The Quarry' is a very good album it's not the earth shattering masterpiece many had hoped for, nay, expected.
80
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.
80
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.
80
Drowned In Sound
‘You Are The Quarry’ sees Morrissey back in the ring, lean, limber and fighting fit.
80
Mojo
Those who have grown up with him will find much to love here. [May 2004, p.90]
80
Splendid
Despite his gray hairs, Moz's approach to You Are the Quarry is youthful and energetic -- perhaps even punk.
80
Tiny Mix Tapes
A fantastic record for Morrissey fans.
80
Blender
His best album since Vauxhall & I. [#27, p.140]
75
Los Angeles Times
A little heavy on the lugubrious ballads, but it's all Morrissey all the time. [16 May 2004, p.E40]
75
E! Online
The music doesn't impress much, serving as more a backdrop for Morrissey's lovely chops.
72
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.
70
Logo
Even a half good Morrissey album is streets ahead of the competition.
70
Trouser Press
Clicks in all the places his failures did not.
70
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]
70
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.
70
Billboard
At times, the misery borders on cliché, but luckily, "Quarry" sports some of Morrissey's most direct vignettes in years.
67
Austin Chronicle
Morrissey's songs rattle and hum with swagger and sour pride.
65
Neumu.net
And flaws there are, with many of the tracks sinking into a midtempo morass with decidedly underdeveloped melodies and daft instrumentation.
60
Uncut
Flares dazzlingly on initial contact, but dims a little. [Jun 2004, p.92]
60
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.
60
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.
50
The New York Times
At this level of lyric artistry, these warmed-over arena rock backdrops are a waste.
50
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.
40
New York Magazine
Quarry doesn’t have great songs, just not-so-clever quips.
40
The Guardian
But just when he seems more relevant than ever, Morrissey has somehow contrived to make an album that sounds incredibly dated.
40
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 8.7 (out of 10) based on 66 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
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