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B-Sides and Otherwise

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B-Sides and Otherwise
Compilation album by
ReleasedSeptember 1997
Recorded1993–1997
Studio
Genre
LabelRykodisc
Producer
Morphine chronology
Like Swimming
(1997)
B-Sides and Otherwise
(1997)
The Night
(2000)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic [1]
Pitchfork Media(5.0/10) [2]

B-Sides and Otherwise is a rarities compilation album by the alternative rock band Morphine, released in September 1997 by Rykodisc. It features B-Sides and other rare tracks not otherwise available on the band's studio albums.[3][4]

Background

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In 1996, when Morphine's record contract with Rykodisc was sold off to DreamWorks at the band's request, the band still owed Rykodisc two albums. An agreement was made in which Rykodisc obtained the exclusive rights to the two future archival releases B-Sides and Otherwise and 2000's Bootleg Detroit.

Band leader Mark Sandman had originally wanted the compilation to be called Besides, but when informed that label mates Sugar had released a B-sides collection of the same name, Sandman subsequently came up with B-Sides and Otherwise.[5]

Critical reception

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In a lukewarm review, Pitchfork wrote that B-Sides and Otherwise shows the two sides of Morphine: "the creepy, grooving side ... and the boring, pretentious art rock-cum-beat poet masturbations that make up the bulk of this disc."[2] Similarly, Trouser Press felt that there were only a few "truly effective numbers" on the compilation, "aside from the selections buzzing on free-form atmospherics that bring the trio uncomfortably close to skronky jazz."[3]

AllMusic described the album as "more challenging and abstract than your average Morphine release." They felt that some tracks, such as the eight-minute "soundscape" "Down Love's Tributaries," may test the listener's patience, while others are "thoroughly enjoyable." They concluded that it is "an interesting collection of oddities that will appeal to the dedicated fan," capturing the band "at their most experimental."[1]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Mark Sandman, except where indicated

No.TitleWriter(s)Original releaseLength
1."Have a Lucky Day" (live radio broadcast) "Super Sex" single (1995)4:23
2."All Wrong" (live radio broadcast) "Honey White" single (1995)3:40
3."I Know You - Part Two" (live radio broadcast) "Honey White" single2:54
4."Bo's Veranda" Get Shorty (Original MGM Motion Picture Soundtrack) (1995)[6]3:14
5."Mile High" Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead soundtrack (1995)3:02
6."Shame" "Cure for Pain" single (1993)2:44
7."Down Love's Tributaries"Morphine"Cure for Pain" single8:08
8."Kerouac"Sandman, Billy ConwayKerouac: Kicks Joy Darkness tribute (1997)2:54
9."Pulled Over the Car" Yes (1995) [Japan exclusive]2:56
10."Sundayafternoonweightlessness"Morphine"Super Sex" single4:52
11."Virgin Bride" from an Australian-only bonus CD included with Like Swimming (1997)3:29
12."Mail"Sandman, Ernest Noyes BrookingsOutstandingly Ignited - Lyrics by Ernest Noyes Brookings, Vol. 4 compilation (1995)2:19
13."My Brain" "Cure for Pain" single2:45
Notes

Personnel

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Adapted from the album liner notes:[7]

Morphine
  • Mark Sandman – vocals, 2-string slide bass, organ, guitar, knobs
  • Dana Colley – baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, autoharp, dobro feedback
  • Billy Conway – drums
Additional musicians
  • Mike Rivard – bass (4)
  • Russ Gershon – tenor saxophone on (4, 5)
  • Tom Halter – trumpet (5)
  • Larry Dersch – drums (5)
  • Jerome Deupree – drums (6)
  • Sabine Hrechdakian – vocals (7)
  • Frank Swart – bass (12)
  • Dominique Zar – drums (12)
  • Rick Barry – percussion (13)
Technical
  • Morphine – producer (1-3)
  • Mark Sandman – producer (4-7, 9, 10, 12, 13), engineer at Hi-N-Dry (4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13), cover design
  • Paul Q. Kolderie – producer (6, 9), engineer at Fort Apache (6, 9, 11) and The Outpost (6)
  • Han Nuyton – engineer at Bullet Sound (1-3)
  • Phil Davidson – mixing (1-3)

References

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  1. ^ a b Prato, Greg. B-Sides and Otherwise at AllMusic. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
  2. ^ a b Josephers, Jason. "Morphine: B-Sides and Otherwise Pitchfork review". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on November 23, 2001. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "TrouserPress.com :: Morphine". www.trouserpress.com.
  4. ^ Inc, CMJ Network (December 5, 1997). "Reviews". CMJ New Music Monthly. CMJ Network, Inc. – via Google Books. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  5. ^ Rougvie, Jeff (March 21, 2015). "The 20th Anniversary of "Yes" and more on working with Morphine". jeffrougvie.com. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  6. ^ "Morphine: B-Sides And Otherwise". Music.
  7. ^ B-Sides and Otherwise (CD liner). Morphine. Rykodisc. 1997. RCD 10387.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)