In 2006, David Attenborough, a 50-year broadcast veteran for the BBC, was voted “Britain’s greatest living icon” in a BBC poll.

Morrissey took second place, beating out the likes of Sir Paul McCartney and David Bowie. An impressive feat, considering Morrissey has made a career out of being notoriously distant from both his fans and the media.

What has redeemed him is the fact that his fans expect him to be distant — he wouldn’t be Morrissey if he weren’t arrogant.

His continuously self-loathing lyrics would only appear trite if he wasn’t so smug and “in your face.” These factors, combined with his captivatingly smooth voice, have made him the living legend we see today, and are what separate him from his British counterparts.

Adding to his already staggering resume, Morrissey recently released the first great album of 2009, “Years of Refusal.”

It is a smooth journey through Moz’s tormented mind that features moments of his patented lyrical arrogance and moments of pure vocal brilliance.

The aggressive “Something is Squeezing My Skull” starts the album off on the right foot. Coming out of the gates gunning, Morrissey shows that he is still on top of the musical world and his pipes sound better than ever as his voice soars over an almost punk beat.

The song is an epic opening track that also gives a little insight into Morrissey’s life, as near the end of the tune he rattles off a laundry list of medications he is prescribed.

“Mama Lay Softly on the Riverbed” and “Black Cloud” are two slow jams where Morrissey’s voice flows effortlessly while paced by heavy drums before leading into the first single, “I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris.”

This metaphorical song is exactly what fans have come to expect of Moz — lyrics detailing the trials and tribulations of love and loss delivered flawlessly by his distinct, smooth croon. The song is a perfect example of what Morrissey is all about as an artist.

“All You Need Is Me,” begins with a rumbling bass line before Morrissey interjects with his not-so-subtle lyrics about his favorite subject — himself. No one has ever made self-centeredness sound so good.

The pinnacle of the album comes in the form of “It’s Not Your Birthday Anymore,” a 5-minute ballad that begins with Morrissey singing barely above a whisper before bursting into a chorus of “It’s not your birthday anymore/There’s no need to be kind to you.”

The vocals on this song are breathtaking; Morrissey’s voice is smooth as glass throughout before hitting a spellbinding falsetto. It is an impressive display of vocal prowess that could be used as a teaching tool for beginning singers.

The final track on the album, “I’m OK By Myself,” is packed with Morrissey’s commonplace lyrics full of swagger and indifference toward love. The drums and bass roll along throughout the track and conclude the album on the high note that it deserves.

“Years of Refusal” is a true masterpiece and is some of Morrissey’s finest work.

Old fans will find this is another one of the excellent albums they have come to expect, and first-time listeners can be made into fans once they see what they’ve been missing all along.

Reach the reporter at jdfourni@asu.edu.