Issue date: 9/29/04 Section: Arts

"CDs and t-shirts and promos and God knows/you know I couldn't last" ironically sings Morrissey on his latest release You are the Quarry.

Although once the darling of indie rock critics everywhere, Morrissey spent most of the '90s being overshadowed by the next wave of Brit-pop bands (most of whom would not have even been able to break into the pop world if it wasn't for The Smiths).

This eighth album from the former Smiths front man marks his return from a 7-year absence and perhaps proves that he actually has stood the test of time.

Clocking in about 48 minutes, You are the Quarry delivers 12 tracks of wit, sarcasm, longing and of course, melancholy.

The opening lyrics immediately deal with Morrissey's distaste for American politics.

In "America is not the World" he describes America as a single-minded, power-hungry society, but the former Manchester, England resident does not allow his homeland to go without criticism.

The first single "Irish Blood, English Heart" makes his feelings clear about the English government singing "...and spit upon the name Oliver Cromwell/and denounce this royal line that still salute him/and will salute him forever."

The album goes on to deal with the usual mix of Moz; religion, relationships and perhaps a new favorite subject, what he really thinks of the pop world.

Referring to his musical peers as "lock-jawed pop-stars," he warns them about their hyped facades singing, "the teenagers who love you/will wake up, yawn and kill you."

With the recent resurgence of garage and indie rock back on the pop charts (think White Stripes or Modest Mouse), Morrissey is once again able to generate the kind of buzz he deserves.

"Irish Blood, English Heart" has been getting airplay on local rock stations such as FNX. Videos for the album's other tracks are available online at www.morrisseymusic.com and www.yahoolaunch.com.

Morrissey is on an international tour to promote You are the Quarry.

You can catch his live show Oct. 4 and 5 at the Orpheum Theater in Boston, with Irish artist Damien Dempsey opening.

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