The Messenger (Johnny Marr album)

The Messenger
Studio album by
Released25 February 2013 (2013-02-25)
GenreAlternative rock[1]
Length48:22
LabelWarner Bros.
ProducerJohnny Marr, James Doviak
Johnny Marr chronology
Boomslang
(by Johnny Marr + the Healers)

(2003)
The Messenger
(2013)
Playland
(2014)
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic69/100[2]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]
Clash[4]
Consequence of Sound[5]
NME[6]
Pitchfork Media(6.3/10)[7]

The Messenger is the debut solo album by musician Johnny Marr, formerly of the Smiths. It was released on 25 February 2013 in the UK (and made #10 in charts) through Warner Music Artist & Label Services / Warner Bros. Records, and on 26 February in the US through Sire Records.[8]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Johnny Marr

No.TitleLength
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
Total length:48:22

Personnel

[edit]
  • Johnny Marr – guitars, vocals as well as ARP Omni, drums, bass, keyboards, Memory Moog synthesiser, and producer
  • Nile Marr – soloist
  • Max James – bass
  • Jack Mitchell – drums
  • Sonny Marr – backing vocals
  • Doviak – backing vocals, producer
  • Frank Arkwright – mastering[9]
  • Mat Bancroft – photography
  • Johnathan Elliott – layout
  • Robin Hurley – management
  • Claudius Mittendorfer – mixing
  • Joe Moss – management

Single releases

[edit]

"Upstarts" was released as a single digitally and on 7", with the new B-side "Psychic Beginner".

"New Town Velocity" was later also released as a single digitally and on 7", along with the new B-side "The It-Switch".

Videos were made for both of these singles,[10][11] as well as the title track.[12]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Johnny Marr: Playland review". AllMusic.
  2. ^ "The Messenger by Johnny Marr". Metacritic. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  3. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The Messenger – Johnny Marr". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  4. ^ "Johnny Marr - The Messenger". ClashMusic. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  5. ^ "ALBUM REVIEW: JOHNNY MARR – THE MESSENGER". Consequence of Sound. 27 February 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  6. ^ "NME Album Reviews - Johnny Marr - 'The Messenger'". NME. 21 February 2013.
  7. ^ Hyden, Steven (20 February 2013). "Johnny Marr - The Messenger - Album Review - Pitchfork". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  8. ^ "Johnny Marr Announces Solo Debut Full-Length". Pitchfork Media. 5 November 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  9. ^ "The Messenger – Johnny Marr : Credits". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  10. ^ Johnny Marr (14 January 2013). "Johnny Marr - Upstarts [Official Video]". Retrieved 1 October 2016 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ Johnny Marr (18 July 2013). "Johnny Marr - New Town Velocity [Official Music Video]". Retrieved 1 October 2016 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ Johnny Marr (13 November 2012). "Johnny Marr - The Messenger [Official Video]". Retrieved 1 October 2016 – via YouTube.