Johnny Marr: Spirit Power – A songsmith whose mastery of melody remains intact

He has collaborated with countless bands and artists over the past four decades, has won an Oscar for his performance on a Bond theme, was declared a “godlike genius” by NME and is generally hailed as a modern-day guitar hero. Despite the accolades, Johnny Marr is undoubtedly resigned to having his name prefixed with “former Smiths guitarist” for eternity.

Nevertheless, this compilation rounds up the best of the Mancunian legend’s late-blooming solo career, culled from his four albums. It’s clear that Marr’s confidence as a frontman, singer and primary songwriter has evolved over the past decade; songs such as the mournful, piano-led Walk into the Sea and the spoken-word number The Priest (with the actor Maxine Peake) sit astride the strident jangle of earlier songs such as the punchy Easy Money, the rumbling Hi Hello and the wistfully melancholic New Town Velocity.

Two new tracks, Somewhere and The Answer, attest to the influence of Marr’s stint supporting The Killers on tour last year, while an inventive cover of Depeche Mode’s I Feel You is a highlight, its sultry swagger at odds with an uncharacteristically abrasive vocal.

At worst, the weaker tracks here have a somewhat workmanlike feel; at best, they showcase Marr’s extraordinary ear for melody. The Smiths will undoubtedly remain an enduring reference in his body of work, yet this collection shows Marr still has plenty to say on his own terms.