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Morrissey inks new record deal, plots 2014 album

Morrissey, shown performing at Staples Center in early 2013, is speaking out against Canada's annual seal hunt.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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In the last few years, Morrissey has penned an autobiography and has even briefly alluded to a retirement, but the artist, activist and quite possibly rock ‘n’ roll’s most-adored grouch has more music in his system. Morrissey on Wednesday unveiled his intention to release a new album in 2014, his first since 2009’s “Years of Refusal.”

Recording for the as-yet-untitled album is slated to begin later this month with noted producer Joseph Chiccarelli, whose accolades include a Grammy for his work with the White Stripes on the act’s “Icky Thump.”

Morrissey will be recording the album with a number of familiar collaborators, including Boz Boorer (guitar), Jesse Tobias (guitar), Solomon Walker (bass), Matthew Walker (drums) and Gustavo Manzur (keyboards).

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A tour is also promised around the release of the album, which will be issued worldwide by Harvest Records, a subsidiary of Universal-owned Capitol Music Group. The length of the deal has not been officially released by Harvest, although a spokesperson for the artist described it as a “multi-album deal.” Morrissey’s “Years of Refusal” was released by Lost Highway, a separate entity within the Universal Music Group system.

Morrissey hinted at the new album in a Q&A with fans on the go-to fan site for official Morrissey information, True to You. In early January, Morrissey stated that he would be recording a new album soon, and revealed that one early song is currently called “Istanbul.”

“It is second to Rome as my most favorite city in the world,” Morrissey wrote. “When I’m in Istanbul, I feel as if I could never die. My life is matched.”

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During the Q&A session, Morrissey also let it be known that he is midway though a novel, and that his general feelings toward the music industry still border on distaste.

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“The actuality is that radio stations will not play my music, and the majority of people have lost faith in the music industry, and it’s generally assumed -- quite rightly -- that the No. 1 chart positions are ‘bought’ by the major labels, so there really is no passion left in pop or rock music, and I don’t think people believe for an instant that the faces we constantly see on television and in magazines are remotely popular,” Morrissey wrote.

He continued: “It’s all, now, solely a question of marketing.”

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