In Need of Morphine...

There is something entirely special about music that can capture a perfect setting in which it can be played. Having this happen usually is icing on the cake for me after listening to a band and initially liking the music for what it is. If it can take you elsewhere or just make you think of a place applicable to the sound of it, that's a great accomplishment in my book.

Morphine was one of those bands, and over the course of their time together they released 5 albums of what I would describe to be definitive mood driven music. Unfortunately however, the bands run together was brought to a premature and tragic end when front man Mark Sandman collapsed and died on stage of a heart attack in July of 1999. Their final album titled The Night was posthumously released in early 2000 through Dreamworks Records.

The music played by the group was unique to say in the least. Not relying on guitars of any sort, Sandman however opted for a 2 string slide bass and partnered that up with a contributing saxophone from Dana Colley and drums from Billy Conway. The end result was a low end bluesy sound that really can't be compared to anything else. Surprisingly enough though, even with their odd brand of music they were able to build a fairly large fan base with the releases of their debut Good and follow up Cure for Pain (my personal favorite). If anything though, I believe people probably could feed off Sandman's self deprecating and detached lyrics. However, what draws me in the most, aside from the strangeness of it all, is the incredibly seedy vibe the music seems to carry. Something about it always makes me think of the lowest of dive bars and obscene amounts of dirty women. Not a nice thought I know, but it's kind of the same deal as when you watch Goodfella's and how it makes you want to be in the Mafia, at least until the end.

Morphine - Good [MP3] (Good)
Morphine - Thursday [MP3] (Cure for Pain)
Morphine - Whisper [MP3] (Yes)
Morphine - French Fries With Pepper [MP3] (Like Swimming)

Morphine's entire output and even a compilation spanning their earlier career highlights can be found here for purchase, or basically any other major online retailer.