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Zero 7
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You Are The Quarry

Generally favorable reviews
Based on 31 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 66 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Attack/Sanctuary
Release Date: 18 May 2004
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Alternative, Rock
Summary
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.
Also By This Artist: Live At Earls Court Ringleader Of The Tormentors Years Of Refusal
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
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...
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]
Pitchfork
The most entertaining and lushly melodic work of Morrissey's solo career.
Read Full Review >No Ripcord
But, and here's the catch, at times the arrangements just don't cut it.
Read Full Review >Playlouder
While 'You Are The Quarry' is a very good album it's not the earth shattering masterpiece many had hoped for, nay, expected.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Drowned In Sound
‘You Are The Quarry’ sees Morrissey back in the ring, lean, limber and fighting fit.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Billboard
At times, the misery borders on cliché, but luckily, "Quarry" sports some of Morrissey's most direct vignettes in years.
Read Full Review >Neumu.net
And flaws there are, with many of the tracks sinking into a midtempo morass with decidedly underdeveloped melodies and daft instrumentation.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >The New York Times
At this level of lyric artistry, these warmed-over arena rock backdrops are a waste.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >The Guardian
But just when he seems more relevant than ever, Morrissey has somehow contrived to make an album that sounds incredibly dated.
Read Full Review >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]
What Our Users Said
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.
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.
