‘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.
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.
No, The Messenger isn’t groundbreaking or iconic in itself, but it’s thoroughly enjoyable music from a groundbreaking and iconic artist.
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.
The Messenger won't be included in the body of work that made Marr great, but it's a solid approximation of his strengths.
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.
If anything, he aims to celebrate something he helped shape: fun, catchy, vibrant Britpop.
This is a solid, enjoyable solo debut that’s certainly worth investigation if you’re a long-term Marr watcher.
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.
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.
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
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
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 ⏳
1 | The Right Thing Right 3:41 | |
2 | I Want the Heartbeat 2:47 | |
3 | European Me 3:56 | |
4 | Upstarts 3:38 | |
5 | Lockdown 3:58 | |
6 | The Messenger 4:29 | |
7 | Generate! Generate! 4:21 | |
8 | Say Demesne 5:37 | |
9 | Sun and Moon 3:23 | |
10 | The Crack Up 3:52 | |
11 | New Town Velocity 5:11 | |
12 | Word Starts Attack 3:29 |