Years of Refusal already on sale in Japan -- I've got it!

[King Leer]

Went to Tower Records in Shinjuku today (yes, Tower and other shops like HMV are still solvent, going concerns in this country) to pick up the Paris single. There weren't any in stock but lo and behold there was the album, both the standard and deluxe edition, just sitting there. Picked up the deluxe, of course.

Just took off the shrink wrap. It's a gatefold affair but rather than cheap gloss card it's textured, almost like something you'd find on a high quality hardback book. Beautiful reproduction of a chiaroscuro fruit still life by Fuentes (?). On the back are the band (Boz looking very cool). Inside of the gatefold a closeup of Moz' arm around the bairn, who's leaning far forward.

Time to listen...

ps. On the back in very tiny print are the words "play very loud"

[King Leer]

Just finished my first listen. Will talk about each track in more detail, after I've lived with them for a time, but right off the bat:

- Vocally Morrissey really goes for it in a manner quite different from what he's done before. I think singing in the studio alongside the band separates this album from anything he's ever done.

- Comments on but three tracks:
- As a spaghetti western fan and Morricone worshipper I was blown away by When Last I Spoke to Carol. Brilliant! Isham's trumpet playing is phenomenal!
- It's Not Your Birthday really surprised me. It's like an unearthed, lost epic by...Ultravox!
- Black Cloud is a cool little song!

- As strange as it might sound for a Morrissey album -- it's a hell of a lot of fun to listen to!

Is it Morrissey's best album since Vauxhall? It may very well be. Rankings aside, I think there is a true statement that can be made about Years of Refusal, which the last line in the digital spy review sums up very well:

"Not since Vauxhall And I or possibly even The Smiths has he sounded quite so defiant and alive."

[Orson Swells]

As strange as it might sound for a Morrissey album -- it's a hell of a lot of fun to listen to!

Is it Morrissey's best album since Vauxhall? It may very well be. Rankings aside, I think there is a true statement that can be made about Years of Refusal, which the last line in the digital spy review sums up very well:

"Not since Vauxhall And I or possibly even The Smiths has he sounded quite so defiant and alive."

I agree! It's a totally enjoyable listening experience. I think it may well be his most consistent solo album ever and possibly his best since Vauxhall. I just don't understand what the quibblers are quibblings about...

[King Leer]

A lot of the quibbling, or downright slamming, is about the lyrics.

But you know what? He's not trying to impress or be clever, just honest. Don't read them, don't quote them, just listen to the man sing them and you will be sated.

I agree! It's a totally enjoyable listening experience. I think it may well be his most consistent solo album ever and possibly his best since Vauxhall. I just don't understand what the quibblers are quibblings about...

[jm26]

Just finished my first listen. Will talk about each track in more detail, after I've lived with them for a time, but right off the bat:

- Vocally Morrissey really goes for it in a manner quite different from what he's done before. I think singing in the studio alongside the band separates this album from anything he's ever done.

- Comments on but three tracks:
- As a spaghetti western fan and Morricone worshipper I was blown away by When Last I Spoke to Carol. Brilliant! Isham's trumpet playing is phenomenal!
- It's Not Your Birthday really surprised me. It's like an unearthed, lost epic by...Ultravox!
- Black Cloud is a cool little song!

- As strange as it might sound for a Morrissey album -- it's a hell of a lot of fun to listen to!

Is it Morrissey's best album since Vauxhall? It may very well be. Rankings aside, I think there is a true statement that can be made about Years of Refusal, which the last line in the digital spy review sums up very well:

"Not since Vauxhall And I or possibly even The Smiths has he sounded quite so defiant and alive."

Spot on. That last quote is very true as well.

[Kewpie]

Which edition (Japanese or EU/UK) do you get?

I'm deeply regretting pre-order from recordstore.com.

[King Leer]

The latter. The one you see being unwrapped in the video in El Manzo's thread.

I know someone at Universal Japan so I'm hoping to get a kokunai-ban just to compare.

Which edition (Japanese or EU/UK) do you get?

I'm deeply regretting pre-order from recordstore.com.

[Gin N Tonic Jil]

SCANS, post up some scans, I wanna see and tuesday the 17th is too far away.

[mikael]

Oh crap, I was hoping they had released the Japanese editions and that this would mean my preorder from hmv.co.jp would ship sooner than expected.

[Lazarus]

Hello
are there any bonus tracks like on almost all JAP imports ?
are they Paris's bsides ?

[zither]

today i bought YOR from my least favourite, smelly, record store in ROME and now, after being at work for too long without the chance to listen to it, here I am, facing the Man, ready for the knock out


cheers!

[King Leer]

From what I've seen the domestic edition does not have bonus tracks. My Japanese YATQ included the Irish Blood b-sides (It's Hard to Walk, and The Never Played), which was nice.

Hello
are there any bonus tracks like on almost all JAP imports ?
are they Paris's bsides ?

[EPbabe]

Articles en cours d'expédition :
Date de livraison estimée : 18 février 2009 - 23 février 2009 1 ex. de : Years of Refusal
Vendu par : Amazon EU S.a.r.L.

[Dave2006]

Just took off the shrink wrap. It's a gatefold affair but rather than cheap gloss card it's textured, almost like something you'd find on a high quality hardback book. Beautiful reproduction of a chiaroscuro fruit still life by Fuentes (?). On the back are the band (Boz looking very cool). Inside of the gatefold a closeup of Moz' arm around the bairn, who's leaning far forward.

I remember reading a post on the "New Album Cover" thread... when someone first posted the baby photo, someone else claimed that their uncle worked in the business and that he'd seen lots of photos for the album...

http://forums.morrissey-solo.com/new...reply&p=947856

My uncle works primarily in musical promotions and such, and is also a huge Morrissey fan. I asked him to investigate this whole issue, and he has reason to believe that this picture with the baby is actually part of a collection of photographs that will be within the sleeve notes of the record. Apparently each photograph shows Morrissey pictured with seemingly unrelated items/props, the baby being one of them.Apparently there is also a picture of him holding a monstrance..

Mysterious hey? We will have to wait and see..

So, with there being 3 band shots in the 3 singles and and extra one in the album...the poster was kind of right...I wonder how many more there will be?

Will the shot of the monstrance ever emerge?

Dave

[jalvemo]

I picked up my pre-order of the LP in Stockholm yesturday 13/2. There was a note on the record with the release date, but apparently I managed to get it out anyway (megastore sergelstorg).

There is a nice picture of the other band members on the inner sleave!