2009 has been quite a year for Morrissey. He’s toured relentlessly, performing to sold out audiences around the world. His 9th studio album, Years Of Refusal, saw Morrissey garner his 4th UK Top 3 chart debut, and he’s overseen upgraded and remastered versions of his ‘90s works Southpaw Grammar and Maladjusted. Crowning what is undoubtedly his most productive year since his solo career began in 1988, “SWORDS” compiles 18 select songs released as b-sides of his 13 hit singles from his last four albums.
As an artist who has always ensured his b-sides are of as outstanding quality as his singles and album tracks, “SWORDS” features some of Morrissey’s finest material. 12 songs are collaborations with guitarist Alain Whyte, the rest co-written with guitarists Boz Boorer and Jesse Tobias, and former keyboardist Michael Farrell. In keeping with the three remarkable studio albums covered in his period – 2004’s You Are The Quarry, 2006’s Ringleader Of The Tormentors and Years Of Refusal - the music is powerful and adventurous. The richness and expression of Morrissey’s voice has never been greater. With unmatchable style, wit and insight, truths beneath the surface are laid bare. There are moments of personal reflection; Munich Air Disaster 1958, for example, is a heartrending lament for the Manchester United players who died in the infamous plane crash, and for those who were left behind. The live cover version of David Bowie’s 1973 song Drive-In Saturday reveals a little more of Morrissey’s own teenage self, with its lyrics of amorous confusion modified to rhapsodise over The New York Dolls rather than the Rolling Stones. Chrissie Hynde makes a rare appearance, singing backing vocals on Shame is the Name.
The album was compiled by Morrissey who is surely in the rudest of creative health. They’re subtly assembled and sequenced –the feeling of approaching extinction in the beautiful The Never-Played Symphonies followed by Sweetie-Pie’s promise of a reunion in the afterlife. As Morrissey said of the Tour Of Refusal in March, “all of our answers will be in our songs.”
Initial quantities of Swords will come with a bonus disc featuring eight superb live performances recorded in Warsaw in July this year. This will include songs from Morrissey’s last two albums and 1994’s Vauxhall And I, plus The Smiths’ You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby, first heard on the group’s 1986 b-side collection The World Won’t Listen. In October and November Morrissey and his band will also tour the UK and Europe, with new American dates scheduled for later in the year.
Swords will be released in the UK on 26th October.
“SWORDS” tracklist
Good Looking Man About Town
Don't Make Fun Of Daddy's Voice
If You Don't Like Me, Don't Look At Me
Ganglord
My Dearest Love
The Never-Played Symphonies
Sweetie-Pie
Christian Dior
Shame Is The Name
Munich Air Disaster 1958
I Knew I Was Next
It's Hard To Walk Tall When You're Small
Teenage Dad On His Estate
Children In Pieces
Friday Mourning
My Life Is A Succession Of People Saying Goodbye
Drive-In Saturday
Because Of My Poor Education
Limited edition bonus disc
Black Cloud
I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris
I Just Want To See The Boy Happy
Why Don’t You Find Out For Yourself
One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell
You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby
Life Is A Pigsty
I'm OK By Myself
See Morrissey on THE SWORDS TOUR!
Oct..
Fri Oct 23 Birmingham UK Symphony Hall
Sat Oct 24 Swindon UK Oasis
Mon Oct 26 Bournemouth UK Opera House
Tue Oct 27 London UK Royal Albert Hall
Thu Oct 29 Leeds UK Academy
Fri Oct 30 Sheffield UK City Hall
Mon Nov 2 Salisbury UK City Hall
Tue Nov 3 Brentwood UK Leisure Centre
Thu Nov 5 London UK Alexandra Palace
Sat Nov 7 Liverpool UK Echo Arena
Mon Nov 9 Nijmegen NL Vereeniging (announcing on Sept 16)
Tue Nov 10 Lille FR Aeronef
Thu Nov 12 Paris FR Le Zenith
Sat Nov14 Brussels BE Forest Club (announcing on Sept 14)
Mon Nov16 Berlin DE Tempodrom
Tue Nov 17 Hamburg DE CCH
Thu Nov19 Dusseldorf DE Philipshalle
Fri Nov 20 Munich DE Tonhalle
Mon Nov 23 Dublin IE National Stadium
As an artist who has always ensured his b-sides are of as outstanding quality as his singles and album tracks, “SWORDS” features some of Morrissey’s finest material. 12 songs are collaborations with guitarist Alain Whyte, the rest co-written with guitarists Boz Boorer and Jesse Tobias, and former keyboardist Michael Farrell. In keeping with the three remarkable studio albums covered in his period – 2004’s You Are The Quarry, 2006’s Ringleader Of The Tormentors and Years Of Refusal - the music is powerful and adventurous. The richness and expression of Morrissey’s voice has never been greater. With unmatchable style, wit and insight, truths beneath the surface are laid bare. There are moments of personal reflection; Munich Air Disaster 1958, for example, is a heartrending lament for the Manchester United players who died in the infamous plane crash, and for those who were left behind. The live cover version of David Bowie’s 1973 song Drive-In Saturday reveals a little more of Morrissey’s own teenage self, with its lyrics of amorous confusion modified to rhapsodise over The New York Dolls rather than the Rolling Stones. Chrissie Hynde makes a rare appearance, singing backing vocals on Shame is the Name.
The album was compiled by Morrissey who is surely in the rudest of creative health. They’re subtly assembled and sequenced –the feeling of approaching extinction in the beautiful The Never-Played Symphonies followed by Sweetie-Pie’s promise of a reunion in the afterlife. As Morrissey said of the Tour Of Refusal in March, “all of our answers will be in our songs.”
Initial quantities of Swords will come with a bonus disc featuring eight superb live performances recorded in Warsaw in July this year. This will include songs from Morrissey’s last two albums and 1994’s Vauxhall And I, plus The Smiths’ You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby, first heard on the group’s 1986 b-side collection The World Won’t Listen. In October and November Morrissey and his band will also tour the UK and Europe, with new American dates scheduled for later in the year.
Swords will be released in the UK on 26th October.
“SWORDS” tracklist
Good Looking Man About Town
Don't Make Fun Of Daddy's Voice
If You Don't Like Me, Don't Look At Me
Ganglord
My Dearest Love
The Never-Played Symphonies
Sweetie-Pie
Christian Dior
Shame Is The Name
Munich Air Disaster 1958
I Knew I Was Next
It's Hard To Walk Tall When You're Small
Teenage Dad On His Estate
Children In Pieces
Friday Mourning
My Life Is A Succession Of People Saying Goodbye
Drive-In Saturday
Because Of My Poor Education
Limited edition bonus disc
Black Cloud
I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris
I Just Want To See The Boy Happy
Why Don’t You Find Out For Yourself
One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell
You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby
Life Is A Pigsty
I'm OK By Myself
See Morrissey on THE SWORDS TOUR!
Oct..
Fri Oct 23 Birmingham UK Symphony Hall
Sat Oct 24 Swindon UK Oasis
Mon Oct 26 Bournemouth UK Opera House
Tue Oct 27 London UK Royal Albert Hall
Thu Oct 29 Leeds UK Academy
Fri Oct 30 Sheffield UK City Hall
Mon Nov 2 Salisbury UK City Hall
Tue Nov 3 Brentwood UK Leisure Centre
Thu Nov 5 London UK Alexandra Palace
Sat Nov 7 Liverpool UK Echo Arena
Mon Nov 9 Nijmegen NL Vereeniging (announcing on Sept 16)
Tue Nov 10 Lille FR Aeronef
Thu Nov 12 Paris FR Le Zenith
Sat Nov14 Brussels BE Forest Club (announcing on Sept 14)
Mon Nov16 Berlin DE Tempodrom
Tue Nov 17 Hamburg DE CCH
Thu Nov19 Dusseldorf DE Philipshalle
Fri Nov 20 Munich DE Tonhalle
Mon Nov 23 Dublin IE National Stadium
