JOHNNY MARR
Fever Dreams Pts 1-4 (BMG)
The latest from Johnny Marr, Fever Dreams Pts 1-4 is the ex-Smiths and Electronic pioneer’s – and more recently soundtrack composer and solo artist – most ingenious set of songs to date. Ones that touch on many bases of his creative past, yes, but this is by no means purely an exercise in going back in time. Rather, Fever Dreams is pushed into the future by an electro backdrop that perfectly compliments Marr’s guitar riffs, and wrapped up in a ‘wall of sound’ production style.
Spirit Power & Soul is a good example of this, and indeed a song title that pretty much defines the subject matter of the 16 songs featured on a double album that promotes hope without preaching. Fever Dreams‘ closer Human is arguably the most moving track Marr has created. It’s hard to grab a listener’s attention for 70 minutes or more, but Marr has managed it with ease on this mighty collection.
words DAVID NOBAKHT