The Messenger (Johnny Marr album)

The Messenger is the debut solo album by English 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]

The Messenger
Studio album by Johnny Marr
Released	25 February 2013
Genre	Alternative rock[1]
Length	48:22
Label	Warner Bros.
Producer	Johnny Marr, James Doviak
Johnny Marr chronology
The Messenger (2013) Playland (2014)

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	69/100[2]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]
Clash	[4]
Consequence of Sound	[5]
NME	[6]
Pitchfork Media	(6.3/10)[7]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Johnny Marr.

No.	Title	Length
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

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

Single releases

"Upstarts" was released as a promotional 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

1. "Johnny Marr: Playland review".
2. "The Messenger by Johnny Marr". 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. Retrieved 2013-02-25.
5. "ALBUM REVIEW: JOHNNY MARR – THE MESSENGER". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 2013-02-27.
6. "NME Album Reviews - Johnny Marr - 'The Messenger'".
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". Johnny Marr Announces Solo Debut Full-Length. Pitchfork Media. 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.