Johnny Marr+The Healers – Boomslang (2024)

[The Seeker of Good Songs]

Released in 2003, Boomslang was Johnny Marr’s first solo studio album. After his departure from The Smiths in 1987, Marr spent a number of years with the likes of The Pretenders before recruiting Zak Starkey (drums), Alonza Bevan (Bass) and more to form The Healers in 2000. Recorded at Clear Studios in Manchester, with James Spencer (New Order, The Charlatans), Boomslang comprised of eleven tracks that combined his signature guitar playing with heavy psychedelic rhythms.
“Twenty years on I’m pleased we created the music and this new release of Boomslang has given me the opportunity to revisit it and present some songs that we weren’t able to include the first time around.” Never before on Vinyl and not currently available on DSPs, Boomslang will be available for the first time on Double Black 180g vinyl, 2CD and Digital deluxe. The album has been fully remastered at Abbey Road and includes 7 rarities, chosen by Johnny as well as brand new art direction by his long-time collaborator Mat Bancroft.



220 MB 320 ** FLAC


1. The Last Ride (2024 Remaster) (4:30)
2. Caught Up (2024 Remaster) (4:27)
3. Down on the Corner (2024 Remaster) (4:24)
4. Need It (2024 Remaster) (5:48)
5. You Are the Magic (2024 Remaster) (7:09)
6. InBetweens (Zak Starkey) (2024 Remaster) (3:39)
7. Another Day (2024 Remaster) (4:59)
8. Headland (2024 Remaster) (1:35)
9. Long Gone (2024 Remaster) (4:39)
10. Something to Shout About (2024 Remaster) (4:22)
11. Bangin’ On (2024 Remaster) (5:09)
12. The Way That It Was (5:29)
13. All Out Attack (4:43)
14. Get Me Wrong (5:25)
15. Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright (4:28)
16. A Woman Like You (5:09)
17. You Are the Magic (Union Mix) (8:50)
18. Get Me Wrong (Instrumental Version) (5:21)

Johnny Marr+The Healers – Boomslang (2024) | exystence

exystence.net

 

[Gray Fruit]

"Over two decades later, Boomslang’s reissue not only allows the serious Marr fan to complete their library. It also provides a look into the aftermath of The Smiths. Morrissey undoubtedly was first out of the gate looking to emote and shock. Marr went another route and paused, doing a slow burn, observing and considering. Meanwhile, Marr stretched his talents before launching his esteemed solo career. It is rare to see a legendary performer taking that leap of faith after their first huge success, but that is what Boomslang captures."

ALBUM REVIEW: Johnny Marr And The Healers - Boomslang (Deluxe) Reissue

In the years following The Smiths' implosion, guitarist Johnny Marr spent the better part of two decades exploring the surrounding musical environment. His

www.xsnoize.com

 

[The Wild Turkey]

Yeah, heard this when it came out.
Was surprised at how bad it was.
Ya ain't trickin' Wild T into listenin'
to it again.

 

[Gray Fruit]

"Experimental at its core, ‘Boomslang’ is a delicious fusion of Eastern-sounding riffs, heavy psychedelic rhythms and hypnotic beats are still there in abundance both on their existing and the new tracks. ‘Boomslang’ manages both to be anthemic and chilled out in equal measure which is no mean feat!

8/10"

Johnny Marr + the Healers - Boomslang | Reviews | Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews

21 years can feel like a moment in time or light years ago, but great music stands the test of time and when it comes to ‘Boomslang’ this certainly rings

www.clashmusic.com

 

[The Wild Turkey]

"Experimental at its core, ‘Boomslang’ is a delicious fusion of Eastern-sounding riffs, heavy psychedelic rhythms and hypnotic beats are still there in abundance both on their existing and the new tracks. ‘Boomslang’ manages both to be anthemic and chilled out in equal measure which is no mean feat!

8/10"

Johnny Marr + the Healers - Boomslang | Reviews | Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews

21 years can feel like a moment in time or light years ago, but great music stands the test of time and when it comes to ‘Boomslang’ this certainly rings

www.clashmusic.com

Hahaa!
Nice try.
Ya ain't trickin' Wild T.

 

[Anonbloke]

The Guardian's original review of the album was far more accurate (and amusing) then this latter-day grovelling:

"Marr's vocals are in tune, but are also devoid of character. This is bad news when your lyrics come from the Gallagher School of Meaningless Twaddle (school motto: "Will this do?"). You can get by with meandering stuff like "Pass it out and get me, dynamite and deadly, that's the way the dough goes, see me at the aftershow", if it's being delivered by a wildly exciting voice. If it's being delivered by someone who sounds as if they are reciting their credit-card statement, you're in trouble."

Pop CD: Johnny Marr and the Healers, Boomslang

(Imusic)

www.theguardian.com

 

[BookishBoy]

From the Guardian's review of the album when it was released:

 

[trans]

From the Guardian's review of the album when it was released:

View attachment 111678

spot on. would even say the empty collage like lyrics were a bit out of date and cringey at times as a result. not worthless by any means but its funny to see people try and make this something it is not. i always thought he was trying to be the verve here

 

[Amy]

I'm really surprised Johnny dug this one out of the vaults for a remaster, it's dismal. Dire.
Makes his modern solo stuff look amazing.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm really surprised Johnny dug this one out of the vaults for a remaster, it's dismal. Dire.
Makes his modern solo stuff look amazing.

You’d be surprised how many people are fans of this record. Its partly because he toured with Pearl Jam and those people who saw the Healers live absolutely loved it. Completely different group to Smiths fans.

 

[Gray Fruit]

"Boomslang was recorded at a house in the trees called Forest Edge, where the Healers lived and worked together in a commune-like environment. Inspired by the far-reaching sounds of Faust, Boards Of Canada, Neu, Bert Jansch, and esoteric literature by Madame Blavatsky, Ouspensky and Gurdjieff, the Healers lived like early digital glitter hippies. The ethos was to create an interesting rock record to space out to. A six piece band seeking an alternative to the 1990s British indie zeitgeist."

Johnny Marr + the Healers’ 'Boomslang' out now - TotalNtertainment

Boomslang 2024 offers fans new and unheard material from the first and only album by Johnny Marr + the Healers

www.totalntertainment.com

 

[The Wild Turkey]

"Boomslang was recorded at a house in the trees called Forest Edge, where the Healers lived and worked together in a commune-like environment. Inspired by the far-reaching sounds of Faust, Boards Of Canada, Neu, Bert Jansch, and esoteric literature by Madame Blavatsky, Ouspensky and Gurdjieff, the Healers lived like early digital glitter hippies. The ethos was to create an interesting rock record to space out to. A six piece band seeking an alternative to the 1990s British indie zeitgeist."

Johnny Marr + the Healers’ 'Boomslang' out now - TotalNtertainment

Boomslang 2024 offers fans new and unheard material from the first and only album by Johnny Marr + the Healers

www.totalntertainment.com

Inspired by Faust and NEU?
Gotta check that out.
Wait a minute...
Hahaa!
Nice try!
Ya almost got Wild T.

 

[NealCassidy]

tripe

 

[Gray Fruit]

"With six exceptional musicians at the peak of their craft, Boomslang stands as an expansive body of work that Johnny and the band can truly be proud of. It’s fascinating to revisit the album and discover new material from that era of Johnny’s career more than two decades later, especially considering the wealth of solo work he has released since then. "

Johnny Marr + The Healers - Boomslang (BMG) - God Is In The TV

Although Johnny Marr officially launched his solo career with the release of The Messenger in 2013, it wasn’t the first project to bear his name. In 2003, he released an album titled 'Boomslang' under the banner of Johnny Marr + The Healers.

www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk

 

[The Wild Turkey]

"With six exceptional musicians at the peak of their craft, Boomslang stands as an expansive body of work that Johnny and the band can truly be proud of. It’s fascinating to revisit the album and discover new material from that era of Johnny’s career more than two decades later, especially considering the wealth of solo work he has released since then. "

Johnny Marr + The Healers - Boomslang (BMG) - God Is In The TV

Although Johnny Marr officially launched his solo career with the release of The Messenger in 2013, it wasn’t the first project to bear his name. In 2003, he released an album titled 'Boomslang' under the banner of Johnny Marr + The Healers.

www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk

Yep... sounds like a interestin'
chance to hear Johnny try a
couple new musical chops.
Wait a minute... nope.

 

[Gray Fruit]

"Boomslang is the sound of a man unfettered by any desire to please anyone other than himself and, on those terms, it’s a quiet victory for being able to wake up in the mirror and remember exactly who you are."

Johnny Marr And The Healers – Boomslang (reissue): Review

Johnny Marr And The Healers' Boomslang is the sound of a man unfettered by any desire to please anyone other than himself.

www.live4ever.uk.com

 

[Anonymous]

I'd rather disembowel myself with a rusty spoon than have to endure two hours of Johnny's aural mid-life crisis, cheers

 

[Gray Fruit]

"A must for any vinyl collector and everyone’s streaming service just got a little better!"

Boomslang Reissued, Thank You Mr Marr! - We Will Trampoline

A must for any vinyl collector and everyone’s streaming service just got a little better! Released in 2003, Boomslang is the only album by Johnny Marr + The Healers. The band consisted of Zak Starkey, drummer for the Who and son of Beatle drummer Ringo Starr. Bass guitar provided by former Kula...

www.wewilltrampoline.co.uk

 

[Dorothy]

I went on holiday to the Kruger Park game reserve recently, and one morning went outside with my coffee and was just about to sit down when my husband noticed a boomslang (the snake not the vinyl) on the chair. I literally nearly died.

 

[Anonymous]

With the benefit of hindsight (or hindhearing) it's not much worse than any of his other solo stuff, so I can see the logic in digging it out of mothballs to flog to the credulous "Johnny f***ing Marr!" brigade. They'll buy anything.