MORPHINE Vinilo y CD

Review: Morphine were far from your average rock & roll band. Combining elements of jazz and blues with more traditional guitar arrangements, all played with what has been described as "an idiosyncratic set of instruments", to say their sound was unusual - somehow sexy and morose, introspective and compelling - would be an understatement. B Sides & Otherwise, as the title suggests, allows us a moment or 12 to indulge in the group's lesser known feats of musical genius. From live radio broadcast recordings, through to almost-made-the-album tracks, this is a great insight into just what an incredibly unique band they were, not to mention wholly innovative. Many elements and techniques here would come to be adopted by the mainstream in later years, marking the troupe out as well ahead of their time.

Review: Blending jazz, blues, and rock elements, the Morphine's sound was anything but conventional, thanks to Mark Sandman's two-string bass, Dana Colley's baritone sax and the distinct rhythm provided by drummers Jerome Deupree and Billy Conway. Co-produced by Paul Q. Kolderie (Pixies, Radiohead), Sandman and engineer Steve Folsom, this album captures Morphine's lush and immersive sound, creating a deep, noirish atmosphere that would become their signature. The album's standout tracks, like 'Buena' and 'Thursday', show Sandman's knack for lyrics that teeter on the edge of danger and ambiguity. 'Candy' offers a glimpse of vulnerability, while the title track balances tension with a flicker of hope. Colley's sax often doubles as a one-man horn section, adding both visceral intensity and ambient texture. Sandman's haunting vocals and inventive bass work, paired with Colley's occasional simultaneous play of both baritone and tenor sax, made Morphine's sound truly singular. This 2024 Run Out Groove remastered edition brings new life to the album more than 30 years on from its initial release.