Boomslang (album)
Boomslang is the first, and to date only album by Johnny Marr + the Healers. It was released in 2003 through Artistdirect and iMusic. The band consisted of drummer Zak Starkey and former Kula Shaker bassist Alonza Bevan with Marr handling guitars and lead vocals. The literal definition of the word "boomslang" is "a venomous, tree-dwelling snake... of tropical and southern Africa".[4] The expression "I got boomslang..." in South Africa means to get caught up in something (like a boomslang snake hanging from a tree.) For example, "I was about to leave work when I got boomslang by a customer who needed something, and had to stay late."
| Boomslang | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by Johnny Marr + the Healers | |
| Released | 4 February 2003 |
| Recorded | 2000 at Clear, Manchester |
| Genre | Alternative rock, Indie rock |
| Length | 50:40 |
| Label | Artistdirect/iMusic |
| Producer | Johnny Marr |
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |    |
| Pitchfork Media | (3.7/10)[2] |
| Rolling Stone | |
The 2001 single "The Last Ride" – and its B-sides "Need It" and "Long Gone" – were included in the track listing. "Down On the Corner" was also released as a single, promoted by an appearance on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn in February 2003.[5] "Bangin' On" was released as a single in 2003 and got to #78 in UK. Its B-sides were non-album tracks "Here It Comes" and "Get Me Wrong".
Reaction
Boomslang received a mixed critical reaction. Uncut, Billboard and PopMatters gave the album positive reviews, while Q and Mojo published more lukewarm reactions.[6]
In Rolling Stone, Pat Blashill wrote that the album "shimmers with elements of T. Rex and traces of the Stone Roses – it's got all the atmosphere of a great rock record, but not the guts of one".[7] In the Guardian, reviewer Alex Petridis compared the album negatively to Marr's earlier work in the Smiths. Petridis said that the vocals were in tune but they were "devoid of character". The album's lyrics were said to be "from the Gallagher School of Meaningless Twaddle." The review conceded that the album had its moments but was overall "an opportunity missed..not bad, exactly but nothing to suggest that history should be rewritten".[8]
Track listing
All tracks composed by Johnny Marr; except where indicated
- "The Last Ride" – 4:28
- "Caught Up" – 4:27
- "Down On the Corner" – 4:25
- "Need It" – 5:47
- "You Are the Magic" – 7:09
- "InBetweens" (Zak Starkey, Alonza Bevan, Adam Gray, Marr) – 3:39
- "Another Day" – 4:58
- "Headland" – 1:34
- "Long Gone" – 4:39
- "Something to Shout About" – 4:22
- "Bangin' On" – 5:06
Personnel
- Johnny Marr + The Healers
- Johnny Marr - vocals, guitar (tracks 1–7, 9-11), synthesizer (tracks 1, 10, 11), organ (track 6), melodica (track 10)
- Alonza Bevan - bass guitar (tracks 1–7, 9, 11), electric piano, recorder, backing vocals (track 7)
- Zak Starkey - drums (tracks 1–7, 9, 11), percussion (tracks 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 11)
with:
- Lee Spencer - synthesizer (tracks 1, 4, 5, 11), effects (track 11)
- Liz Bonney - percussion (tracks 4, 5, 11)
- Jonni Musgrave - piano (track 3)
- Dave Tolan - percussion (track 7)
- Damien Foster, Denise Johnson - backing vocals (track 5)