The “power trio” has existed forever, but no one did it like Morphine. Led by fretless two-string bass maestro Mark Sandman, with support from saxophone whiz Dana Colley and drummer Billy Conway, Boston’s low rockers cut through the deluge of the ‘90s alternative tidal wave with a groovy and ghostly sound. Though their tenure was short-lived due to Sandman’s sudden death in 1999, Morphine’s legacy is still revered, and continues to fill the nightmares of guitarists to this day.
5. Like Swimming (1997)
Like Swimming is filled with some of Morphine’s hardest moments, and is easily the band’s angriest album thanks to tracks like “Eleven O’Clock” and “I Know You (Pt. III).” Hard and loud is great and welcome, but Morphine thrives in spooky grooves, which aren’t as present here. Some out-of-place synth moments pop up sporadically too, like in “Early To Bed,” that consistently sound like someone covertly mixed in keyboard parts performed by their kid.
Play it Again: “I Know (Part III)” “Wishing Well”
Skip It: “Early To Bed”
4. Yes (1995)
Yes is an easy “Yes.” It’s got great songs back to front and rarely misses a step. You know an album is good when it has a track called “Super Sex.” A lesser musician would be given a swirly for trying to mix beat poetry into a song, but Sandman earns it on “Sharks.” Some lingering sameness to what Morphine had done before is there, but it doesn’t detract from an otherwise solid record.
Play It Again: “Yes,” “Super Sex,” “Sharks”
Skip It: “The Jury’
3. The Night (2000)
Mark Sandman’s sudden, tragic death in 1999 would spell Morphine’s end. The Night’s sessions ended shortly before Sandman’s death and the album was released posthumously in 2000 Original drummer James Deupree, who had left the band due to health issues, returned for some guest drumming. Ethereal soundscapes and a wider range of instruments demonstrate a band in their prime. Still, Pitchfork gave The Night a 5.7, because it simply was not 5.8 material.
Play It Again: “The Night,” “Rope on Fire,” “Take Me With You”
Skip It: “Top Floor,” “Bottom Buzzer”
2. Cure for Pain (1993)
“Buena” is one of a few songs that can stop you dead cold to decipher how the fuck something can sound like that. Grunge meets jazz meets blues meets fuck you, Morphine’s songs are the audio equivalent of sweet talking your way out of a field sobriety test. The band’s most accessible record, Cure For Pain is a rolling thunder sweep of great songs.
Play It Again: “Buena,” “Cure For Pain”
Skip It: “Let’s Take A Trip Together”
1. Good (1992)
Though a close race, Cure for Pain is ultimately a confirmation of Good’s success. Decisively crafted tracks that fully exploit Morphine’s stripped-down “low rock” grooves. Good is fucking ascendant, one of the few perfect first albums, but somehow never pretentious and always approachable. Morphine tracks are closer to seances than songs. Why the fuck is Mark Sandman dead but Kid Rock is still alive?
Play It Again: The whole thing, on repeat until death.
Skip It: Kid Rock’s discography.