Morrissey to Release Album of B-Sides

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 tie his highest US chart debut on the Billboard 200, and he's overseen, upgraded and remastered versions of his '90s works "Southpaw Grammar" and "Maladjusted." Crowning what has been his most productive year since his solo career began in 1988; his forthcoming album "Swords" compiles 18 select songs released as b-sides of his 13 hit singles from his last four albums.

Morrissey is an artist who has always ensured his b-sides are of as outstanding quality as his singles and album tracks and "Swords delivers some of Morrissey's finest material. Twelve 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 this 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. The album was compiled by Morrissey who is surely in the rudest of creative health. The songs are subtly assembled and sequenced with the feeling of approaching extinction in the beautiful "The Never-Played Symphonies," followed by a promise of a reunion in the afterlife on "Sweetie-Pie." 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 live performances recorded in Warsaw in July of 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 tour the UK and Europe, with new American dates scheduled for later in the year.

"Swords" will be released in the UK on October 26th and November 3rd in the US with a short West Coast tour kicking off in Seattle November 29th.