Morrissey - You Are The Quarry

You Are the Quarry is the first new solo material in seven years by Morrissey. Recorded in Los Angeles and London, Quarry is an album of original songs using keyboards interwoven with crunchy guitars that work to create a lush, musical backdrop. From mandolin to flute to harp to moog keyboard, the album’s richly textured musical layers see Morrissey exploring new musical territory.

"There are no links to the past," said Morrissey. This is a much brighter sounding album, than much of my previous work. We've turned the page with Quarry. It's a dynamic album and I couldn't be any happier."

Morrissey is one of the most influential artists to emerge from the 80's. His band The Smiths were one of the best alternative acts of the decade and influenced countless bands. They were formed in 1982 by Johnny Marr and Morrissey. The Smiths released four studio albums in four years before breaking up in 1987. Although Marr and Morrissey wrote and made great music together, they had many creative differences which proved to be the end for The Smiths.

Morrissey didn't waste any time, releasing his first solo album, Viva Hate, in 1988. He released several other solo albums in the early and mid-90's. His last album was 1997's Maladjusted. Morrissey makes a triumphant return in 2004 with You Are The Quarry.

Quarry was produced by Jerry Finn, best known for producing hit albums by pop-punk rockers such as Blink-182, AFI and Green Day. It may seem like a strange choice, but it works.

"I wanted a louder sound for this record," said Morrissey. "I was introduced to Jerry by a mutual friend. He made me feel very confident. He's not easily pleased and he's not prepared to be overwrought. He knows exactly what he wants to do. He was able to help me create the sound for this album that I had already been hearing in my head."

Finn said he set out to create an organic "creamy" album with Morrissey and the outcome is much better than even he anticipated. "This is one of the best records I've produced," said Finn. "It's just purely organic and it sounds incredible."

Finn recruited acclaimed keyboard player Roger Manning, a founding member of the seminal pop band Jellyfish who has also worked with Blink-182, Air and Beck, to the fold. His keyboard and synthesizer work gives the album a somewhat vintage feel but still manages to sound current and blissful behind Morrissey's melancholy vocals. Morrissey is backed up by his longtime band: guitarists Boz Boorer and Alain Whyte, bass player Gary Day and Dean Butterworth on drums.

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