Morrissey without Marr, and vice versa, doth not the Smiths make, but at least the guitarist refrains from spewing racist, right-wing vitriol. Plus, his recent takedown of the singer, who accused him of hogging the band’s trademark and ignoring a lucrative reunion offer, rang out as beautifully as his jangly six-string: “I didn’t ignore the offer. I said no.” On a Marr solo bill (alongside Britpop icons James), enjoy “This Charming Man” and “How Soon Is Now?” from at least one Smith who internalized Moz’s words: “It’s so easy to laugh; it’s so easy to hate; it takes guts to be gentle and kind.”
– Carys Anderson
