Mark Morriss - The Taste of Mark Morriss

The first thing you need to do when reviewing an album is to find out about your subject. Gold Flake Paint wrote about the quick, first impression opinion pieces that are chucked out by music writers under the weight of hundreds of new releases, when reviewing the new Maccabees record, and how it can be useful and not to be dismissed entirely; but if you’re writing for an on-line zine or blog you clearly have an interest in the band or artist, so a bit more research should be done.

This is pertinent as when you first put on ‘The Taste of Mark Morriss’ you are greeted by “This Pullover” by Jess Conrad. Some got this. Some recognised that Mark is sharp of wit and sarcasm and if you’ve seen him live, read an interview or even met him, you will know he is quick with the put down, self-deprecating slight or funny quip. Therefore, if you put this record on and hear this novelty, throw away ditty, it’s BECAUSE the tongue is wedged firmly in the cheek and, taken in conjunction with the brilliantly cheesy, camp, 80’s pastiche album cover, is THE TASTE of Mark Morriss. The real business starts with track 2 and ‘Rock’n’Roll Women’ by Buffalo Springfield.

You see, whilst this isn’t going to be an impartial review as such, I have done a bit of homework. I’ve read a few reviews, mainly to gauge the feeling for this album. It mainly seems to be the uber fan or the uninitiated. In fairness, this isn’t necessarily a good introduction to Mark. The title isn’t “ A Taste..” it’s “The Taste”. Mark’s taste in music. If you want an introduction to Mark Morriss you should start with The Bluetones and then listen to the first two solo records. The big fans from the very beginning, in the main, are big fans of this.

One of the reviews put it that you couldn’t listen to this record of covers without comparing to the originals. I had the opposite problem. I couldn’t have sung you anything off this before I first put it onto the turntable, with the exception of ‘Duchess’ which I’d seen played live. Oh and the video for ‘Lucretia (My Reflection)’ he’d released a bit before. There were a couple of acoustic versions of ‘Angel’ floating about, but my point is these weren’t songs I owned or had any great affection for. Which made this less of a covers album and more purely just a new Mark Morriss album. So not really a problem.

However, there were a number of moments of familiarity. Almost déjà vu. This came first with ‘Rock’n’Roll Women’ but that is somewhat of a classic although my exposure to Buffalo Springfield is minimal.

If you are coming to this record from the position of being at a similar age to Mark, then the slices of 80’s OMD, Madonna, Sisters of Mercy, REM, Pet Shop Boys and Jesus and the Mary Chain  you will be well-acquainted with. I, on the other hand, was 15 when ‘Expecting to Fly’ came out in 1996 so wouldn’t have had quite the same relationship with the 80’s pop as you. I was still absorbing The Beatles in 1985 and my parents weren’t Goths or big fans of synth-pop. ‘Don’t you want me baby?’ by Human League and Ultravox were probably the zenith of their interest. I remember liking Tears for Fears and Nik Kershaw, so if he’d decided to do “Shout” or “The Riddle” or “Wouldn’t it be Good” I would have had something to compare and contrast.

As it is, I was a relative newcomer to these songs and this may have helped me take this record at face value and not whether each song was better or worse than the original. Subsequently I have embarked on an investigation into these songs and listened to each of them as they were initially intended. In almost every case, I have to say, I do actually prefer Mark’s versions. He clearly has put a lot of love and affection into creating a sympathetic  version that doesn’t dismantle the original but makes a cover version worthwhile. Sometimes that is just about being true to the original, like he does with “Duchess” or even “Love Comes Quickly” where he keeps the synth heavy 80’s sound. Sometimes however, just being himself levitates these songs, in the cases of “Self-Control” or “Good Advices”.

Then there are those where he has taken the song, pulled it apart and then added revamped and pimped elements to change the style of the song, no better an example in “Lucretia (My Reflection)” which has become more of an urgent, rolling anthem than the original gothic, brooding slow metallic rendition by The Sisters of Mercy. It is almost a completely different song except for the lyrics and melody. This and “Rock’n’Roll Woman” are two stand out tracks.

“Angel” and “Almost Gold” are flipped on their heads. Madonna’s bubble-gum pop and JATMC’s dark overtones are swapped to great effect, their placement next to each other given meaning.

“Souvenir” by OMD and “Don’t Let Go”, a Weezer song that passed me by from the Green Album, aren’t the strongest of songs and when held up against Mark’s Bluetones and solo compositions, don’t quite measure up. There’s nothing wrong with them but maybe he could have tackled “Gone Fishing” by the latter. That would have been glorious.

It’s difficult to criticise other reviews of the album if they are coming at it from a different angle to myself. I personally think it’s a triumph. Other people may love the original versions so these renditions may not be their cup of tea.

Can’t say I care really, everyone has an opinion. Mine is, this is great.