MARK MALLMAN - MR. SERIOUS

"Is that an Earthquake???  No - It's Mark Mallman!!!!"

I remember the first time I saw Mark Mallman.  I didn't know what to think.  I saw him perform live and I couldn't decide if I was freaked out or utterly and completely blown away by his onstage presence.  After I'd had time to reflect on it, I realized this was a dynamic musical force I'd just discovered.

Slowly, but surely, I've been picking up his back catalog on eBay and Amazon.  I'm exploring his work and I'm finally ready to put some of my thoughts down in this blog.  I've noticed a few problems with my writing lately and I'm trying to avoid making them again.  Sometimes, I get caught up in a band or an artist and I lose perspective.  When I try to write a fair review of someone I'm obviously fascinated with, it often comes out sounding like a sugary gush of rainbow word vomit I mean to sound fair and objective, but instead, it sounds critical or downright negative.

I've decided there's no point in trying to deliver an objective review.  Why do I need to find something wrong with a piece of music I'm listening to if I enjoy it?  Obviously, reviews ultimately reflect the taste of the reviewer.  They're just opinions; and since I buy this music and consume it, I might as well say exactly what I'm thinking.  Even if it comes out like a heaping pile of unicorn poo.

Mallman is the American amalgamation of David Bowie and Elton John.  Have you ever seen the absolutely brilliant Hedwig And The Angry Inch?  As stunning as the soundtrack to that film is, Mallman's music on "Mr. Serious" is just as intriguing.  He snatches the very essence of that blues based rock and roll sound, coupled with unusual subject matter I find absolutely compelling and drives it through this disc like a semi-truck bearing down on unsuspecting roadkill.  

I'm always drawn to musicians who find the nerve to write about something other than the standard pop fare of love and sometimes politics.  And Mallman does this extremely well.  He's not limited to conventional thinking about composition or lyrical content.  Take 'Executioner'...  This highly reflective and distinctive tune sounds like it could appear as a haunting background track for a Tarantino thriller.  There's so much happening in the ponderance he conveys in this track.  Listen especially to the lines about killing the sparrow.  There's regret, but simultaneous resigned acceptance.  Highly effective. 

In the grand tradition of musical storytellers, Mallman takes us on a journey with songs like 'Still Wasted' and 'Hard Night'.  There's the bubbling pent up Americana in songs like 'Anesthesia' and 'I Work Here, I Grew Up Here'.  

I'm torn between choosing a favorite on this disc.  'Heart Is A Loaded Weapon' is a track I repeat over and over in my truck because I love the sentiment while at the same time, I dig the pounding piano punctuation creating a rhythm that's so much fun to blast out of my truck windows.  I'm also deeply drawn to 'Hardcore Romantics' and 'True Love'.  'Still Wasted' is another track I can't stop repeating.  It's got all the pop sensibility of a radio hit and let's face it...  It's absolute joy to sing along with.

This rock sound, Mallman expresses sounds both classical and modern at the same time.  He's created a hybrid sound that sweetly frames his emotional voice.  You hear vulnerability and depth in the way he delivers his secret messages.  Words you feel are for you alone.  Listen to 'Simply In The Distance' and try to believe he isn't singing directly to you.

If you appreciate strong songwriting, unique voices and craftsman quality musicianship, Mark Mallman is an artist you need to explore.  And I mean as soon as possible.  My final words:  CLIMB ON YOUR ROOF, FLOAT OFF INTO SPACE AND GET WASTED ON THIS CD!!!

MARK MALLMAN - MR. SERIOUS
01. I Just Want To Play Paino
02. Hardcore Romantics
03. True Love
04. Simply In The Distance
05. Still Wasted
06. Executioner
07. Midnight Man
08. Hard Night
09. Proof Is What You Get
10. Anesthesia
11. Heart Is A Loaded Weapon
12. I Work Here, I Grew Up Here

ELECTRIC SIX - HEARTBEATS AND BRAINWAVES

This is an interesting entry because I have the unique opportunity to review not only the album prior to it's release, but I also get to review the concert I saw in support of the album. Let me start by discussing the concert. I saw the show in Salt Lake City, UT where I was able to purchase an advance copy of the album. This is the second time this year I've seen them play at The Urban Lounge in SLC. However, this time around was the lesser of the two shows. But not because of Electric Six. The crowd was much smaller (probably due to the fact they played Saturday night on conference weekend). For those of you who aren't in the know... Utah Mormons have conference weekend twice a year and they have two days of internationally televised church services they watch. It's considered quite an honor to attend the meetings in person and there is high competition for seats at the actual services. I wasn't surprised to see a smaller turnout and I sincerely hope E6 didn't assume it was because they weren't a draw. They were competing against the social culture of an entire state.

The show itself was very entertaining and well performed. Unlike the previous show, there were a couple of new songs included. That's always a struggle because the crowd isn't as familiar with the new tracks and it's often hard to get excited about music you haven't heard yet. I'd heard both the tracks prior to the show and anticipated hearing them live. Here's the setlist:

01. French Bacon
02. After Hours
03. Down At McDonnellzzzz
04. Pink Flamingos
05. Naked Pictures (Of Your Mother)
06. When I Get To The Green Building
07. It Ain't Punk Rock
08. Gay Bar
09. Gay Bar Part 2
10. She's White
11. Clusterfuck
12. Jam It In The Hole
13. Danger! High Voltage
14. Gridlock!
15. Dance Epidemic
16. I Buy The Drugs
17. Dance Commander

Prior to the concert, Dick Valentine told me they were going to play "Hello! I See You!" as well, but they didn't. I love that song and really wanted to hear it performed. I read a review by one guy in Salt Lake and he said E6 kinda dragged their way through the show. But I felt quite the opposite. I felt the crowd was dragging, not the band. E6 delivered an excellent program and I completely enjoyed the experience. It was worth the drive!

I've taken the past week to really listen to and absorb the new CD and I can best describe the disc as almost a tribute to 80's music. The new record is definitely more new wave than previous efforts and relies more heavily on synth and keyboards. While some songs incorporate sounds highly reminiscent of specific bands, others have a more generic 80's feel. The last two albums, "Kill" and "Zodiac" seemed to veer more towards the alternative rock/punk genres more than the disco/rock hybrid of previous efforts; which makes "Heartbeats And Brainwaves" a bit of a surprise. And yet, that's part of the appeal of Electric Six. Anyone who reads my blog knows I'm a sucker for artists who defy category and incorporate various types of music creating something new. I like bands that evolve. Musical change is always a good thing. I tend to think fans of the band will find this record difficult. It probably won't rank high in the order of their favorite E6 albums. It's too much of a divergence from standard fare. But the fans who enjoy the experimental diversity of E6 will embrace the record as another mutation of this fascinating musical force.

For me, the album includes many serious high points. I get excited by tracks like 'Hello! I See You!', 'Gridlock', 'The Intergalactic Version' and my personal favorite... 'It Gets Hot'. There are so many great songs on this record, it's hard to say any of them are bad. From the mid-tempo stomp of 'Psychic Visions', (borrowing both the gasping breaths and thumping drum beat of Depeche Mode's 'Personal Jesus'), to 'Heartbeats And Brainwaves', (a tune that wouldn't sound out of place on a Pet Shop Boys record), you can hear the influence of many bands from the 80's.  Talking Heads, New Order and Erasure being just a few I'd mention here.

I should mention the appearance of Mark Mallman on 'Psychic Visions'. He was one of the opening bands I saw at the concert. He guests on keyboards and vocals for the track and just as a note for those interested... He's a dynamic performer! When he started playing, I was almost laughing at his theatrics, but by the end of the set, I was clapping and cheering along with the songs. There were a couple of moments during certain songs that really caught my attention. I'm going to pick up his CD and check it out. Very engaging.

The sound of previous records may not be overtly present on this new record, but you can rest assured many of the qualities you've come to respect and admire in Electric Six recordings are present. The funky beats are here, the animated vocal style of Dick Valentine is present, the offbeat and sometimes naughty themes are accounted for, that disco sensibility is all around and last but not least are the incredible lyrics! Once again, you have amazing amounts of intelligent and thoughtful ideas expressed in a rhythmic way. "Hello, Destructor. I'm yours for the destroying". Not only has this disc been present in my truck since the day I bought it, I take it with me wherever I go. It's been played on home stereos, computers, playstations and even in my dvd player. Je Adore this side of Electric Six! Wonderful! My final words: A TRANSDIMENSIONAL TIME WARP BACK TO THE 80'S! oh and... YUMMY.

ELECTRIC SIX - HEARTBEATS AND BRAINWAVES
01. Psychic Visions
02. French Bacon
03. Gridlock!
04. It Gets Hot
05. The Intergalactic Version
06. Interchangeable Knife
07. Food Dog
08. Hello! I See You!
09. Bleed For The Artist
10. We Use The Same Products
11. Eye Contact
12. Free Samples
13. I Go Through Phases
14. Heartbeats And Brainwaves