While it may not be as stellar as their future releases would be, Morphine's debut album, 1992's Good, did a splendid job of introducing the Boston trio's highly original sound. While it was the alternative crowd who immediately latched onto Morphine, their music was geared more toward the jazz scene -- a wailing saxophone, lead bass (played with a slide), and lyrics influenced by '50s beat poetry were all-important ingredients. The opening title track remains one of the band's darkest, while other selections are a bit more upbeat -- "Have a Lucky Day" and the inappropriately titled "The Saddest Song"; all the while, the band excels at creating different moods with each successive track. Other highlights include the mid-paced "Claire" and "The Only One," the slight salsa feel of "You Speak My Language," the frantic "Test-Tube Baby/Shoot'm Down," and the more calm and sultry "You Look Like Rain." On their next release, Cure for Pain, Morphine would improve further on the strength of their songwriting and cutting-edge sound, but Good still contains more than a few standouts. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
Morphine (Group), Morphine (Producer), Morphine (Main Performer), Dana Colley (Saxophone), Dana Colley (Sax (Baritone)), Dana Colley (Vocals), Billy Conway (Drums), Billy Conway (?), Jerry Deupree (Drums), Jerry Deupree (?), Tom Dube (Producer), Tom Dube (Engineer), Jim Fitting (Bass Harmonica), Paul Q. Kolderie (Producer), Paul Q. Kolderie (Engineer), Dr. Toby Mountain (Mastering), Mark Sandman (Organ), Mark Sandman (Bass), Mark Sandman (Guitar), Mark Sandman (Vocals), Mark Sandman (Producer), Mark Sandman (?), Mark Sandman (Tritar), Mark Sandman (Slide Bass)
Good is the first album recorded by the Boston based low rock trio Morphine. It was originally released in 1992 on the Accurate label, and then re-released by Rykodisc in 1993.
Track listing
"Good" - 2:36
"The Saddest Song" - 2:50
"Claire" - 3:07
"Have A Lucky Day" - 3:24
"You Speak My Language" - 3:25
"You Look Like Rain" - 3:42
"Do Not Go Quietly Unto Your Grave" - 3:21
"Lisa" - 0:43
"The Only One" - 2:42
"Test-Tube Baby/Shoot'm Down" - 3:11
"The Other Side" - 3:50
"I Know You (Part I)" - 2:17
"I Know You (Part II)" - 2:45
Band members
Mark Sandman - 2-string slide bass, vocals, organ,guitar,tritar
Dana Colley - baritone sax, tenor sax, double sax, triangle
