Playland

It's hard to imagine that the least satisfying thing Johnny Marr could ever do would be launching a solo career, yet here we are with Playland, the second official solo album by the former Smiths guitarist. The oppressive truth lurking behind almost every tired lick and lazy lyric of Playland is that Marr can, and has, done so much better.

The former Smiths guitarist returns with a record whose occasional dips into complacency are sometimes matched by its moments of bravado and energy.

The latest album releases reviewed by the Evening Standard's music critics

Check out our album review of Artist's Playland on Rolling Stone.com.

Johnny Marr always wanted nothing more than to play guitar in a rock & roll band, so once he finally got his solo career off the ground in 2013 with The Messenger, he couldn't stop.

There's a freewheeling vitality to Marr's second solo venture that not only lifts the weight of history but makes a mockery of the musical bed-hopping that's defined his recent output. He had these up his sleeve and was happy to be knobbing around with Modest fucking Mouse?

Johnny Marr is undoubtedly one of the most underrated guitarists of his time.

It is rare to find universal goodwill for a musician like that which Johnny Marr receives.

There weren’t many surprises on Johnny Marr’s first solo album, and this one is more of the decent-but-workmanlike same, writes <strong>Dave Simpson</strong>

Album Reviews: Johnny Marr - Playland

Johnny Marr - Playland review: Natural Born Sideman.

Ex-Smiths legend back with another likeable curate's egg. CD review by Russ Coffey