release date: Feb. 16, 2009
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,52]
producer: Jerry Finn
label: Polydor Records - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Something Is Squeezing My Skull" - 2. "Mama Lay Softly on the Riverbed" (4 / 5) - 4. "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris" - 7. "That's How People Grow Up" (4 / 5) - 8. "One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell"
9th studio album by Morrissey released by Polydor Records. After his years touring from 1998-2003, and in search for a record company, he signed with the small Independent label, Sanctuary Records where he released through the sub-label Attack. Ringleader of the Tormentors from 2006 was his final on Attack, and the follow-up was scheduled for release in 2008 but apparently Morrissey was looking for a better record contract. He finally signed with the established umbrella label, Universal Music Group, assigned to the sub-division of Decca Records in the UK (Polydor in Europe and Asia).
Morrissey again provides evidence that he has found the formula and does more than well on this 12-track album, I think. Nearly half of the songs are co-written with Alain Whyte, who doesn't participate on the album, though. Instead, Jesse Tobias with whom Morrissey wrote three of the tracks, plays the 'second lead guitar' alongside old associate, Boz Boorer. Compared to the critically acclaimed Ringleader... (2006), the album feels lighter and to my taste more in sync with his better albums, and I see it as a natural follow-up to You Are the Quarry (May 2004), which also had Jerry Finn in the producer seat. There's left more room for ballads and chorus-based pop songs, but it's simply better balanced than his 2006 album. On the national albums chart list it reached number #3, and peaking at number #11 in the US, which equals his so far best-selling album on the American market: You Are the Quarry.
I don't find it quite up there alongside his 2004 album but it's definitely a fine collection of songs and as such a recommended listen.
[ allmusic.com, Spin, NME 4 / 5, Rolling Stone 3,5 / 5 stars ]
