The Messenger

Johnny Marr - The Messenger
Critic Score
Based on 29 reviews
2013 Ratings: #787 / 1115
User Score
Based on 56 ratings
2013 Rank: #389
Liked by 2 people
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CRITIC REVIEWS

80
NME

‘The Messenger’ isn’t just a summary of everything worthwhile in contemporary rock music, it’s an insightful and informed dissection of life in 2013 and all the futile iOS updates, cyberstalking conglomerates and financial travesties that clog up the spaces between us.

70
Consequence of Sound

It’s proof that Johnny Marr, nearly half a century old, can still unpack new skills and techniques from a hefty bag of guitar-drenched tricks.

70
PopMatters

No, The Messenger isn’t groundbreaking or iconic in itself, but it’s thoroughly enjoyable music from a groundbreaking and iconic artist.

65
The 405

Whilst elements of this record sound wondrously considered and perfect for the state of guitar music today, the majority of it isn't presented well enough.

63
Pitchfork

The Messenger won't be included in the body of work that made Marr great, but it's a solid approximation of his strengths.

60
No Ripcord

It’s best to listen to The Messenger without paying too much attention to the lyrics, to let the guitar lines wash over or dance around you. 

60
SPIN

If anything, he aims to celebrate something he helped shape: fun, catchy, vibrant Britpop.

60
musicOMH

This is a solid, enjoyable solo debut that’s certainly worth investigation if you’re a long-term Marr watcher.

50
A.V. Club

There’s nothing bad about The Messenger—except for the fact that Marr is so glaringly capable of doing better. A musician of his caliber should have at least something of his own to say.

40
Drowned in Sound

The result is a collection of workmanlike indie-rock songs that fall some way short of being a good album and a long, long way from being the work of a Godlike Genius.

mikehermida
70

This is an LP that gets better as it goes on. The second half of this is a million miles better than the first. It won't blow any minds but this is a good indie LP.

Essential Track - New Town Velocity

MFC4AFoS
85

Today i did an album swap with a friend of mine. He received What Does Anything Mean? Basically by The Chameleons and i received this album. I'd heard Johnny Marr solo albums before (Call The Comet and Fever Dreams Pts. 1-4) and also some of his work with other bands. Marr is an influential musician and he made some good shit, so i was expecting to like this.

I didn't expect it to blow me away this much though. Throughout the entirety of the album, Marr unpacks great guitar work and writing, ... read more

QueenOfDenmark
61

The Right Thing Right ~ ★★☆☆☆
I Want the Heartbeat ~ ★★★☆☆
European Me ~ ★★★☆☆
Upstarts ~ ★★★☆☆
Lockdown ~ ★★★★☆
The Messenger ~ ★★★★☆
Generate! Generate! ~ ★★☆☆☆
Say Demesne ~ ★★☆☆☆
Sun & Moon ~ ★★★★☆
The Crack Up ~ ★★★☆☆
New Town Velocity ~ ★★★★☆
Word Starts Attack ~ ★★★☆☆

⏳ new & improved: time-weighted score ⏳

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Year End Lists

#28/Uncut
#44/MOJO
#63/musicOMH
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Added on: December 4, 2012