In his second solo studio album, former Smiths member Johnny Marr provides listeners with a well made if not somewhat familiar listen.
While some of the tracks seem overproduced, the album truly works when it feels like Marr is stripped down to his wonderful guitar playing on tracks such as “Dynamo” and “25 Hours.”
The album essentially plays like a classic Smiths album mixing pop and rock music effectively with a higher amount of production that is evident on tracks like the synth heavy “Easy Money.”
There are tracks like “Easy Money” that don’t really work then there are some extremely good quality tracks on the album including the best tracks “Candidate” and “The Trap.” These songs feel right at home in Marr’s catalogue; rather than some of the other tracks that feel like Marr is trying to modernize his music for today’s alternative crowd.
Marr has true talent and while this album might not be the best of his work, there is still a lot to listen for on this new album.
Recommended if you like: The Smiths, Bob Mould
Recommended Tracks: “Dynamo,” “Candidate,” “25 Hours,” and “The Trap”
Reviewed by Andrew Zeserman on November 7th, 2014