I have owned this disc since it came out and it never gets old. Admittedly it doesn't make its way into the player quite as much any more, but when it does these tunes always hit the spot. Morphine was a power trio of a different sort, a two string bass, a sax player, and a drummer. As a guitarist, not the type of band I would normally be interested in, but with a sound so bass heavy I couldn't resist. Songs like "Buena" and "Thursday" practically blew me out of the room when I first heard them, proving that Morphine could utilize elements of jazz and still rock hard in the age of grunge. Not to mention the haunting opening of "Dawna" and closing of "Miles Davis' Funeral" that bookend this disc. The clincher though was "In Spite Of Me", a totally atypical Morphine song steeped in reverb drenched mandolins and echo chamber vocals from vocalist Mark Sandman. I first heard this song while watching the darkly hilarious and excellent independent film "Spanking The Monkey", which turned me on to Morphine in the first place. I personally want this song played at my funeral: love the lyrics, love Sandman's voice, love the whole vibe. To me, it stands as one of the most perfect songs ever written. Mark Sandman's passing only makes the lyrics that much more poignant. I also love "Let's Take A Trip Together", a song that I doubt by its arrangement could have been about anything other than LSD. Overall, a wild, eclectic ride that I can't do without.

I first heard this in a wine store in Tucson, Arizona six months after Mark had died. It was a few minutes before closing on a Friday night and the then manager, Andy, who is a musician, had taken off the Frank Sinatra after the bosses left and put on Cure for the Pain. I immediately had to know what the music was. He had seen Morphine live and told me about Mark's death. Within the next week I bought this album and then all the other albums. The Night is my favorite and totally hooked me. For the past five years I have been researching Mark's biography and let me tell you, you have no idea. The guy was cooler than cool and led the most incredible life. Its such a beautiful sad story. Just like the music. One thing that most people don't get is that a lot of the songs have a second meaning - for example "I had my chance" is really about trying to make a left turn in L.A. "Let's take a trip" - think Owsley and 1965. He had a great sense of humor. If you are a true Morphine fan, get yourself hooked up with some live concert bootlegs. His patter is great, as is the poetry he sometimes inserted into a show. The albums were a sort of static rendition of the live Morphine. He had a band with Chris Ballew (before Chris formed The Presidents of the United States of America) in Cambrige that was called Supergroup and they made everything up on the spot. Before the show they would have a beer and come up with song titles and then invent the songs on stage before a live audience at the Plough & Stars. Oh and also, number one misunderstanding, the name Morphine comes from Morpheus the god of dreams not the drug. Its a play on Sandman's name and that ditty, "Mister Sandman, bring me a dream..." First you come up with the name. Then you get the beat of the day....

I love these guys - this is one of their best. There's nothing I can think of to compare it to. I can only say that this music makes me love the sax when normally i don't. Vocals are smoky and wonderful. Lyrics are great too. Check out the samples. If they spark your interest, you will love the whole thing.

If I had to describe this music, I would compare it to the flavor of fine scotch that's infused with deliciously smoky peat.

Mark Sandman called his music low rock, and that's a description for the music here. It's an interesting 3 piece setup that consists of a drummer, saxophonist and bassist/singer (Sandman). The music's very stripped and pure- there's not an ounce of fat to be found, yet there's a rich, dreamy and excessive quality that's similar to the effects of morphine. I know I'm contradicting myself, but if you listen to the music, I think you will understand. Mark's voice is seductive and sexy and powerful throughout, yet laid back and easy. His voice was one of the most perfect voices in rock- I cannot imagine anyone singing Morphine songs other than Mark.

The title song is my favorite. Cure for Pain reminds me of a slightly overcast beach that's been washed clean by the first rain of the season.
Buena reminds me of forbidden temptation that never stops burning a part of your brain. If ears can orgasm, Morphine will cause one.

There's something very sinfully dark and rich (but nothing soiled or muddled) about the musical brew that Morphine dishes out. When Mark died, the world lost a musical genius. If you enjoy Morphine, check out Twinemen as well as Sandbox - Mark Sandman Original Music Box Set.

this is a great album. just put it in and let it play. don't try to read into it too rushedly. let it ease over you...wind through your noodle. sophisticated articulation is not the only form of poetry to be enjoyed. words are sometimes simply words...things to do with our mouths while trying to get across a message. it's the whole package, not just a carved out pieces, that creates the movement... good stuff.