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Years Of Refusal
by
Years Of Refusal Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 40 Ratings

  • Summary: The latest solo album for the singer was produced by the late Jerry Finn.

Top Track

I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
In the absence of your love And in the absence of human touch I have decided I'm throwing my arms around Around Paris because Only stone and steel... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. The A.V. Club
    91
    Not since 1992’s "Your Arsenal" has he combined barbed wit and fast-moving, backward-glancing guitar rock so piercingly.
  2. Pitchfork
    81
    A Morrissey record you can dig into without caring much about the man's lyrics.
  3. NOW Magazine
    80
    This time his band has gelled into an effective stadium-rocking outfit, and his dark humour actually seems connected to some real emotion rather than a strategy designed to create some ironic distance.
  4. AllMusic
    80
    Nothing here is surprising, of course, but Years of Refusal is a full-bodied, full-blooded album that also happens to be fully realized--even if it is on a rather modest scale.
  5. Los Angeles Times
    75
    Years of Refusal isn't just the loudest thing Morrissey has done in the '00s, it's also the best.
  6. PopMatters
    70
    No, Years of Refusal, though it contains several songs that could be among his best, is no classic.
  7. Q Magazine
    60
    Entertaining though these tracks are, it's hard not to wish that he could ignore the buzzing irritations of not being universally adored, all the time, forever, and concentrate on the big picture. [Mar 2009, p.90]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 32 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. Alfie18
    Feb 6, 2023
    10
    Back to fantastic form with this album. Kicks of with a fantastic opening track and continues to be one of his best albums. You Were Good InBack to fantastic form with this album. Kicks of with a fantastic opening track and continues to be one of his best albums. You Were Good In You Time is the only song i skip.… Expand
  2. juanj.
    Feb 18, 2009
    10
    Great!!!
  4. KarolK
    Feb 19, 2009
    10
    Well, what can I say... I knew it would be good... but I hadn't expected such a charming, passionate album. It's Morrissey.
  5. luciusmag
    Feb 26, 2009
    9
    It's really good, equally up there as 'You Are The Query''.
  6. ThomB
    Mar 20, 2009
    9
    This album is a great listen, not just because anything coming out of Morrisey sounds fantastic, but because he returns with his signature This album is a great listen, not just because anything coming out of Morrisey sounds fantastic, but because he returns with his signature melodic hooks and musical instrumentation. One begins to wonder if he needed the Smiths at all. "That's How People Grow Up" and "Black Cloud" stand out particularly, but all songs in this album are fantastic. Once again, a great Morrisey record to save us from a disappointing year in music (or should I say decade?).… Expand
  7. ferm
    Mar 8, 2009
    9
    The only reason me not giving it a 10 is because the recycling of Thats how people grow up and the similar sound on the last two songs...but The only reason me not giving it a 10 is because the recycling of Thats how people grow up and the similar sound on the last two songs...but i think Its not your birthday anymore is one of his greatest songs... ever !!! theres an anguish on his vocals, a sadness thats is so beautiful and only he can do that...Carol, and Paris are also refreshing and Sumtin squezzing my skull is so dynamic...even though hes not at the excelent level vocally as he was six years ago hes still one of the greatest voices ever. Miss a little bit the arrangements on the music from Ringleader but still im a MOZHEAD… Expand
  8. ThomasT
    Feb 18, 2009
    3
    The Smiths were bad, this is worse

See all 13 User Reviews