Orson Swells
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't necessarily have wanted him to give it with both barrels.
Though he may have given it to him with both barrels in the past.
I wouldn't necessarily have wanted him to give it with both barrels.
Though he may have given it to him with both barrels in the past.
Gee, isn't that a long stretch?
He is being nice to individuals.
That's just his nature.
Probably true. Could be both. He seems like a guy who thinks about that kinda thing and just might like the smiths to be remembered drama free and not let the story of there disagreements overtake that
I love Johnny Marr but I don't see myself reading his book. I have his solo albums but his lyrics don't strike me that deeply. I guess a lot of people here who complained about Morrissey's version of his Smiths story are going to be disappointed that Marr hasn't gone into any depth from his side of the aisle into the Smiths. I foresaw purchasers of Marr's book posting here saying "Finally we get the truth of what really happened all those years ago.. blah, blah, blah" Not to be.This would be pretty much my take on it too.
Maybe Johnny just isn't the kind of person to dwell on his feelings too much (not ideal for an autobiography), but he doesn't really seem to dig deep and get too emotional about most periods of his life. He factually describes what went on, rather than giving much real insider insight.
One example that immediately hit me yesterday was a moment when Johnny talks about how the band inspired hate and love in equal measure. You feel that there must be an anecdote coming up but, instead, nothing. He skips over lots of things very quickly and then dwells on certain trivial points more than he should imo.
It would be some bullshit about them having sex.what do you mean?
It would be some bullshit about them having sex.
I love Johnny Marr but I don't see myself reading his book. I have his solo albums but his lyrics don't strike me that deeply. I guess a lot of people here who complained about Morrissey's version of his Smiths story are going to be disappointed that Marr hasn't gone into any depth from his side of the aisle into the Smiths. I foresaw purchasers of Marr's book posting here saying "Finally we get the truth of what really happened all those years ago.. blah, blah, blah" Not to be.
For a fan, it seems like a no-brainer to me. I'd pay a fiver at a train station for a 5-page interview with Morrissey or Johnny, so why on earth would I not pay twice that for a 450-page hardback book by one of them?
But I also agree with the emerging consensus. Johnny is no great literary stylist (not that there's any reason he should be) and what you are getting is a fairly dry account of his life, without much in the way of anecdotes or digressions to liven things up. There's also not much new about The Smiths, except the odd detail here and there. But, if you haven't read the other books about The Smiths, maybe that won't bother you. I feel like the part of the book that is about The Smiths is a bit hemmed-in by Johnny being a bit too cautious about criticising Morrissey, even indirectly. I wouldn't necessarily have wanted him to give it with both barrels, but he's been more frank in interviews in the past, so it's not like the downsides of working with Morrissey are a secret. In particular, there are a few people who got a bit burnt through working with the band, and some of them also got pretty nasty treatment in Morrissey's book, which Johnny must be aware of. Although Johnny is generally nice enough about everyone, it would have been a good thing if he had offered a bit of redress by praising certain people a bit more, or at least acknowledging that they got a raw deal.
It's far from a bad book, but I think it's fair to say that Johnny hasn't knocked this one out of the park. On the other hand, it's probably the most reliable account of The Smiths there is, given that the only other key eyewitness to have told his story is not always the most trustworthy.
I actually got more out of the post-Smiths stuff in the book, even though i wouldn't have bought it for that. Maybe that's because most of it was new to me, or maybe because Johnny's writing gets a bit freer once he knows that an army of journalists is not going to be raking over everything he says.
A really nice bit, for example, about being bought a guitar by Seymour Stein, taking it back to the hotel and writing a couple of songs straight away
He's waiting for Mike Joyce's book.Yeah, Benny must be really upset about this. Not surprised Brummie didn't chime in about the book since Marr gave him no ammunition to fire with, though BB would just say he's waiting for Martin's book for the 'truth'.
Folks, we already have the TRUTH. And it's a Penguin Classic.
He's waiting for Mike Joyce's book.
can he write ?
that was so unnecessarily mean..
i've read most of the reviews on twitter and also there's a review from NME and most seem to like it a lot. I think MOST people on solo (i know not everybody) was expecting more about his relationship with moz and the rest of the smiths, so that's why a lot of people here seem disappointed.
Also, solo doesn't want to admit it, but i feel like people were expecting marr to be more snarky to some people, and he just wasn't. Who knows
I'm sorry.
What I meant to say is... If he writes as good as he plays drums, no ones going to buying his book.
better ?
i've read most of the reviews on twitter and also there's a review from NME and most seem to like it a lot. I think MOST people on solo (i know not everybody) was expecting more about his relationship with moz and the rest of the smiths, so that's why a lot of people here seem disappointed.
Also, solo doesn't want to admit it, but i feel like people were expecting marr to be more snarky to some people, and he just wasn't. Who knows