By Jonathan Cohen--Billboard
March 16, 2004
Due May 17 internationally and a day later in North America via Sanctuary's reactivated Attack imprint, the 12-track set finds the former Smiths frontman expressing his views on American politics, religion and the Irish troubles, in addition to imagining himself as a member of a Mexican street gang.
Previewed recently for Billboard.com, the album opens with "America Is Not the World," in which Morrissey describes the dichotomy of a country that is a "land of opportunity in a just and truthful way / and where the President is not black, female or gay." First single "Irish Blood, English Heart" sees him in a similarly defiant state of mind, declaring, "no regime can buy or sell me."
Morrissey is nothing if not perpetually unlucky in love, a subject he tackles on "I'm Not Sorry" ("the woman of my dreams, she never came along / the woman of my dreams, well, there never was one."), "Let Me Kiss You" and "I Like You," one of the album's standout tracks. On the latter, which is melodically reminiscent of Human League's synth-pop classic "Don't You Want Me," Morrissey admits to the subject, "no one I ever knew or have spoken to resembles you."
On album closer "You Know I Couldn't Last," the artist uses years of critical drubbing as inspiration for a nearly six-minute epic that balances soft verses with emphatic choruses. "The critics who can't break you / they somehow help to make you," he sings. Later, he reminds himself, "your royalties bring you luxuries."
"I Have Forgiven Jesus" zeroes in on Morrissey's familiar bluntly honest lyrical outlook: "Monday, humiliation / Tuesday, suffocation / Wednesday, condescension / Thursday is pathetic / By Friday, life has killed me." The artist's storytelling skills are also in fine form in "Come Back to Camden," as he paints a scene of "drinking tea with a taste of the Thames / where taxi drivers never stop talking under stale gray Victorian sky."
"First of the Gang To Die" is a romanticized peek into Mexican gang life, as Morrissey narrates the tale of Hector, not only the first of his mates to be killed, but also the first "with a gun in his hand" and the "first to do time."
Overall, the Jerry-Finn produced "Quarry" emphasizes the poppier side of Morrissey's musical persona. Synthesized strings are prominent on a number of tracks, as are the keyboard contributions of Roger Manning Jr. (Jellyfish, Air). The artist slips into falsetto on several occasions, particularly on "Come Back to Camden."
While dates are still being confirmed, a major tour is in the works in support of the album. Just finalized is a June 2 appearance at Denmark's annual Roskilde Festival. The artist is also rumored to be appearing at the 2004 edition of Lollapalooza.
Beginning May 24, Morrissey is confirmed to appear for an entire week on CBS' "The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn." He will also curate the U.K.'s Meltdown Festival, which runs from June 11-27.
