Morphine: At Your Service

Morphine
At Your Service
Rhino/Ryko Records [2009]








Fire Note Says: In memory of the Sandman!

Album Review:
It has been ten years since the early passing of Morphine frontman Mark Sandman and this two disc, 35 track collection contains all of their previously unissued studio tracks, alternate takes, and live performances, that span the groups entire career. It is a nice closing piece to a group that not only was cut way too short but also was a group that always was able to surprise critics and fans with their unconventional approach to music. Morphine's lack of guitar always was a factoid about the band that made them unique and what you can hear on At Your Service is how much their music ebbs and flows without there use. Many of the alternative and live versions found here have a very free form vibe to them, which is almost the perfect encapsulation of Morphine the band because their live show always was a strength and routinely gave their music a life of its own. Nothing on At Your Service will gain a bunch of new fans nor would I have any newbies start with this collection but for longtime followers it is must grab. In Mark Sandman's words "We are Morphine at your service!"

Key Tracks: "Patience (Alt. Version)", "Shadow (I Know You Part V)", "Buena (Alt. Version)"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Beck
Medeski Martin & Wood
Yo La Tengo

Morphine Info Website
Morphine MySpace
Morphine Info [Allmusic]
Rhino Records

At Your Service - Morphine

-Reviewed by Reece Michael