Album Review: Morphine - Like Swimming 1997

Morphine's Like Swimming was their 4th and last complete album. True "The Night" was released three years later, but it was more like "abruptly dropped" after bassist/singer/songwriter Mark Sandman died of a heart attack in '99, on stage, at 46 - It's production is clearly unfinished. Like Swimming isn't probably my favorite Morphine album, but it might be, there are songs on it that I absolutely love - the second half especially... but I guess I couldn't say for sure...

Morphine is a three piece: bass, drums, saxophone - but you probably wouldn't notice the lack of guitar if I didn't point it out - one of my top 20 bands of all time. There is something about their low-rock; hypnotically pulsing - slash- high-energy surging songs that fill a musical space for me that no other band does. When I start listening to an album, more often than not I end up listening to several in a row - because the dynamics and imagery and phrasing of the lyrics is just so... perfect. I can't explain it any better: I'm in a movie. I'm tucked in bed. I'm at the coolest club in town. I'm soaring thought the clouds. I'm ready for action. I'm ready to die.

Good. Cure for Pain. Yes. Like Swimming. The Night. My favorite one is usually the one I'm listening to - all are excellent, get the last one last if you have to choose.

Bonus: Using technology Sean showed me recently click here to download Like Swimming (from me) and see for yourself - I'll show you how soon. Happy Friday!