Latest CD releases reviewed

MORRISSEY
Years of Refusal Polydor ****

He's had to tolerate accusations of miserablism throughout his career, but most detractors confuse cheerlessness with Morrissey's talent for articulation. As he approaches 50, the Mancunian is as proficient as ever at expressing his feelings on isolation, but that doesn't mean his ninth solo album is a glum affair. It's a sinewy, snappy collection of timeless songs and styles, with Morricone-style rollicks, big emotional ballads and brawny guitar riffs a-plenty, as well as the usual priceless lyrical castigations. Unsurprisingly, there are also several tracks that hark back to the "Golden Age of Pop", while guitarist Jeff Beck even makes a guest appearance on the taut thriller Black Cloud. Well-played and terrifically sung, Year of Refusalis easily one of Morrissey's best solo albums to date. www.truetoyou.net LAUREN MURPHY

Download tracks: It’s Not Your Birthday Anymore, All You Need Is Me

SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS
Alpinisms Full Time Hobby ****

Back in March 2007 fans of US rock band Secret Machines were distraught to learn that guitarist Ben Curtis was decamping to form School of Seven Bells with Alley and Claudia Deheza, the identical twin sisters from On!Air!Library! As a Secret Machines fan myself, I loyally vowed to loathe SVIIB and all their works. And a first listen to their debut album seemed to offer sweet vindication: Alpinismssounded like a sterile mixture of Mediaevel Baebes-style vocals and cynically ethno-tweaked electro/ dreampop treatments. But these guys have obviously majored in Freudian psychology, for nearly every track has since managed to insinuate itself into this resistant subject's subconscious with downright unethical ease. The album is too long by two songs, but it's a keeper. You can catch the rotters live at Whelan's, Dublin on February 23rd. www.schoolofseven bells.com DARAGH DOWNES

Download tracks: For Kalaja Mari, Iamundernodisguise

B ELL X1
Blue Lights on the Runway
BellyUp Records ***
Having made international iroads over the past year, the pressure is on for Bell X1 to live up to the propaganda. Their fourth album isn't much of a departure, and in fact sees the band repeat many past midjudgments. There are moments of real melodic beauty, exemplified by Blow Insand Amelia, but they're often marred by Paul Noonan's lyrics, which are intended as endearing but often register as clumsy and mawkish. This also detracts from the Kildare band's strengths; their gleeful pop songs may owe a debt to Talking Heads, but they're always the most gratifying tracks on any Bell X1 record. It's not a bad album by any means, but it needed to be a great one. www.bellx1.com LAUREN MURPHY

Download tracks: The Great Defector, Breastfed

ALELA DIANE
To Be Still Names ****
This Nevada City native's debut album, The Pirate's Gospel, was a huge word-of-mouth success, with its enchanting sweep of shanties, ballads and campfire folk tunes. Many others are now sailing in similar seas, so Diane has bolstered her arsenal of tricks for To Be Still. Whereas The Pirate's Gospelwas propelled by Diane's magnificent voice and slightly quirky arrangements, here songs such as White as Diamondsand the title track gain weight and added dimension from strings, percussion and even some gentle pedal steel guitar. Diane's voice is still a big factor, a set of pipes that will remind you of a young Sandy Denny or Karen Dalton. You'll be pinching yourself to make sure this really is a 2009 release and not some vintage folk album. www.alela diane.com JIM CARROLL

Download tracks: White as Diamonds, To Be Still