"THE MESSENGER" JOHNNY MARR (2013)

For the month of November, I’ll be selecting songs in conjunction with the music Twitter challenge: #WelcomeToTheOccupation.

While Morrissey has carved out a prolific solo career and catalog, Marr initially went the route of guitarist for hire following The Smiths’ demise, augmenting bands like The The, Modest Mouse and The Pretenders. But in 2013, everything changed. And it started with his first solo venture, “The Messenger”. I wanted more of The Smiths, but I ended up hearing something far closer to Interpol. And I’m not complaining.

Marr’s jangle pop obsession hits a more angular stride on “The Messenger” and other songs on the album. There’s an interesting evolution of guitar styling here, with a sound that feels like a rebirth of early Interpol and Daniel Kessler’s grating, hypnotic guitar playing. While the lyrics are far from Morrissey-level, the unexpectedness of Marr’s guitar sound is what made this track all the more delightful.

“My time's for taking if you want.”

"THE MESSENGER" JOHNNY MARR (2013)

Inspired by Albumism, I’m doing my own version of Flying Solo with individual tracks. Band breakups and hiatuses are never fun, but these solo jams were defining moments in my life’s soundtrack.

While Morrissey has carved out a prolific solo career and catalog, Marr initially went the route of guitarist for hire following The Smiths’ demise, augmenting bands like The The, Modest Mouse and The Pretenders. But in 2013, everything changed. And it started with his first solo venture, “The Messenger”. I wanted more of The Smiths, but I ended up hearing something far closer to Interpol.

Marr’s jangle pop obsession hits a more rhythmic stride on “The Messenger” and other songs on the album. There’s an interesting evolution of guitar styling here, with a sound that feels like a rebirth of early Interpol and Daniel Kessler’s grating, hypnotic guitar playing. While the lyrics are far from Morrissey-level, the unexpectedness of Marr’s guitar sound is what made this track more delightful.

“My time's for taking if you want.”