Johnny Marr – The Messenger

Recently awarded by NME with its Godlike Genius award, famous indie-pop era guitarist Johnny Marr finally releases his much anticipated debut solo album, The Messenger, making the long wait utterly worthwile.

With effervescent tunes, and insightfully modern lyrics that reflect on our uber-communicative, yet more-isolated-than-ever world, Marr’s debut makes for a stand-out solo album, revealing him as a terrific frontman, and definite rival for his long-lost ex-bandmate Morrissey.

Released on the 25^th of February through Warner Bros. Records, The Messenger is a 12-track LP, based on everything worth saving from the 90s, while hinting, with hope, at what will be awaiting us in rock music in the near future.

Album opener The Right Thing Right is a Madchester-esque piece with haunting hooks, while the riffs on I Want The Heartbeat raise spirits with their pure rock ‘n’ roll attitude. Upstarts and The Messenger resonate with typical British nostalgia, leading listeners towards the album’s core, which reaches its peak with the pumping, cascading track, Generate! Generate!.

Synth-influenced Say Demesne deals with teenage prostitution, while retaining an 80s vibe, while New Town Velocity wistfully plays upon memories of infancy.

The Messenger is an acute critique of the modern age panorama, revised with Marr’s 49 year-old perspective. He hasn’t lost his youthfulness – better yet, he uses it to create something sharper than we are maybe accustomed to, as only a great musical genius could do.

Leaving Electronic, The The, and Modest Mouse behind him, The Smiths’ ex-guitarist and co-songwriter launches himself in an undoubtedly satisfying endeavour, majestically bringing out one of 2013’s greatest albums, thus far.

Verdict: ••••

Eleonora Ricotta

The Messenger was released on 25th February 2013. For further information about Johnny Marr visit here.  

Watch the video for The Messenger here: