Brighter Morrissey to release 1st CD since '97

NEW YORK - Morrissey will release his first new album since 1997’s “Maladjusted” May 18 in North America and a day earlier internationally.

Titled “You are the Quarry,” the set will be issued by the reactivated Attack imprint via Sanctuary. First single “Irish Blood, English Heart” arrives May 10 internationally.

“There are no links to the past,” Morrissey said in a statement. “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.”

The album includes such tracks as “I Have Forgiven Jesus,” “America is Not the World,” “The World is Full of Crashing Bores” and “I’m Not Sorry.” The artist drew inspiration from years of critical backlash on “You Know I Couldn’t Last,” which he describes as “my response to the negative press I have endured over the years.”

Morrissey is backed on the Jerry Finn-produced set by longtime guitarists Boz Boorer and Alain Whyte, bassist Gary Day and drummer Dean Butterworth. Veteran keyboardist Roger Manning Jr. (Jellyfish, Air) also appears on a number of tracks.

The set is expected to be supported by extensive touring, but the lone date on the schedule thus far is a May 22 appearance in Morrissey’s Manchester, England, hometown. It will mark his first live appearance in the city since 1992. Franz Ferdinand and Damien Dempsey will support.

Morrissey has also begun scouting bands to sign to Attack and has inked a deal with Nancy Sinatra to release a new album on the imprint. That set will feature an as-yet-untitled Morrissey-penned song.

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