You Are The Quarry
by
You Are The Quarry Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 91 Ratings

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  • 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.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    A set of irresistible tracks both danceable and desolate. [28 May 2004, p.124]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Pitchfork
    89
    The most entertaining and lushly melodic work of Morrissey's solo career.
  3. Village Voice
    80
    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.
  4. ShakingThrough.net
    72
    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.
  5. Rolling Stone
    70
    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.
  6. Austin Chronicle
    67
    Morrissey's songs rattle and hum with swagger and sour pride.
  7. Q Magazine
    40
    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]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 48
  3. Negative: 1 out of 48
  1. EndaM
    Mar 14, 2007
    10
    Absolutely excellent. I often return to this record and have SUCH a soft spot for it even now.
  2. KyleW
    Jan 17, 2005
    10
    I love Morrisssey
  4. ThisMulroneycakesHasOpenedMyEyes
    Feb 4, 2006
    10
    Yay, young Steven's back! Now, for clarification's sake, this is the guy who likes Southpaw Grammar (goddammit he's trying to Yay, young Steven's back! Now, for clarification's sake, this is the guy who likes Southpaw Grammar (goddammit he's trying to get at something, I swear on the Bible), but this leaves everything but Vauxhall and I in the dust. Yes, even Your Arsenal. Not a weak track, to my mind, in the bunch - the closest being the deliberate I'm Not Sorry. Favourite tracks? Come Back To Camden, All The Lazy Dykes (I'm a sucker for Steven's story-songs), First Of The Gang To Die, You Know I Couldn't Last...in fact, the longer I type this list, the more it occurs to me that I could just type out a complete tracklisting and be done with it. Its only failing, if indeed it is a failing, is that it won't win new fans - it's Morrissey in excelsis: if you don't like Morrissey, you simply won't like this. Word has it that the next album, Ringleader of the Tormentors, will be denser, more experimental, more fanbase-dividing. Which is of course typical Steven. (Not that it's Scott Walker's Tilt or anything, just that it's a bit on the different side - kind of like Southpaw Grammar). Essential for anyone with a quiff.… Expand
  5. JohnB
    May 30, 2004
    9
    This album becomes more and more amazing the oftener I hear it - I am enchanted and happy-saddened by 'I'm Not Sorry' and This album becomes more and more amazing the oftener I hear it - I am enchanted and happy-saddened by 'I'm Not Sorry' and 'America is Not The World' - there is a beautiful sweep and bend in Morrissey's voice I have not heard before - I feel as though he is once again at the height of his powers. Revenge is so so so sweet.… Expand
  6. Paul
    Apr 19, 2006
    9
    Morrissey creates an album with an awesome song lineup. Irish blood English heart ultimate classic and i have forgiven jesus one to listen 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… Expand
  7. PhilipS
    Mar 22, 2006
    8
    A quality album with some good tracks, however, not all of it i like- America Is Not The World is his political views disguised in lyrical form ooops
  8. spankym
    May 27, 2004
    3
    if you like the music of foreigner and bad company, or any other cheesy third tier 70's rock, with the vocals substituted and saturated if you like the music of foreigner and bad company, or any other cheesy third tier 70's rock, with the vocals substituted and saturated with a heavy, melodramatic, semi-melody syrup--packed with some painfully lame and self-important lyrics that are neither strong enough to have any relevance beyond juvenile musings on "america not being the world" (which, you would think would be quite the opposite given the current state of affairs if it was done by someone more insightful and less self-conscious about his poofy hair do and about what sheepish hipsters he can impress)--then buy this and pretend it's real hip...some people will, mostly 'cause this guy did some cool stuff, oh, i don't know...almost 20 years ago...yea, that's not a good enough reason for me either.… Expand

See all 48 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Most Discussed Album of 2004
68
#68 Most Shared Album of 2004

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