From the opening chord on the first track, "The Right Thing Right," you know it is Johnny Marr. After being in one of the best bands of the 80s, the Smiths, Marr made appearances on records for the Talking Heads, Kirsty MacColl, Matt Johnson's The The, and even was in a group with New Order's Bernard Sumner and Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant called Electronic. It seems you could always find Marr playing second fiddle in a larger ensemble (see also Modest Mouse circa 06) but on "The Messenger" he is the main vocalist, songwriter and guitar player. With vocals in the Bono or Liam Gallagher arena the riffs and guitar textures may still be the main focus for the casual Marr fan. The quality and precision of his guitar playing will always be a marvel and that is certainly the case here.