Magik Markers - Surrender to the Fantasy
by Maarten Schiethart
published: 4 / 12 / 2013

Label:
Drag City
Format: CD
intro
Over-indulgent latest album from Connecticut-based psychedelic blues outfit, Magic Markers
After 'Boss', their 2007 LP for Ecstastic Peace, I had not heard anything new from this trio. 'Surrender to the Fantasy' thence came like a mildly confusing surprise. The two boy, one girl formula, all three in need of psychedelic assistence, has not changed, yet evidently the sound has matured. Still very much undefined but now utterly catchy, almost dream or angel like, their latest album digs out the best from the echelons of Live Skull and Sonic Youth. With quite a fresh approach, Magik Markers bring up new sides to archaics. Magik Markers' snotty lead vocalist Elisa Ambrogio sometimes finds herself drowning in the bluesy swamps of urban noise, which is not to say that she becomes incomprehensible, as that would be my point. In spite of the zany but muddy sound, and however low key or lo-fi the LP may be, the sloping sonics were recorded in crystal clear ways. Both quite tame it has to be admitted, and time consuming, Magik Markers have produced an album that hardly makes you look forward to their next album. In need of a pivotal lead figure, they've acquired all the credentials over the ages and prove they know how to hit the right chords. 'Young' starts off with great promise, yet ultimately sinks in mystified oblivion. Bereft of any fantasy, there remains very little to surrender to. Magik Markers are in dire need of a producer like Kramer or Albini to instruct them to cut it short.
Track Listing:-
1 Crebs2 Acts of Desperation
3 Bonfire
4 Mirrorless
5 American Sphinx Face
6 Young
7 Empire Building
8 Screams of Birds and Girls
9 Wt
Band Links:-
http://www.last.fm/music/Magik+Markershttp://magikmarkers.tumblr.com/#7
https://twitter.com/TweetHassle
Label Links:-
http://www.dragcity.com/https://twitter.com/dragcityrecords
https://www.facebook.com/dragcityrecords
reviews |
Boss (2007) |
![]() |
Artistically effective and intriguing new album from the Magic Markers who have switched from off-the-cuff noisemakers to music with a more melodic and acoustic sound |
most viewed articles
current edition
Pennyblackmusic - Writers and Photographers' Albums of the Year 2024Peter Perrett - In Dreams Begin Responsibilities Interview Part One
Man From Delmonte - Interview
Clive Langer - Interview
Pennyblackmusic - Book of the Year Award 2024
Johnnie Johnstone - Interview
Marianne Faithfull - Reflections
Laura Nyro - Profile
Johny Brown - Corpse Flower
Vinyl Stories - Vinyl 2024
most viewed reviews
current edition
Dorie Jackson - Stupid Says RunRingo Starr - Look Up
Beabadoobee - This is How The World Moves
Pixie Lott - Encino
Dusty Springfield - The BBC Sessions
Unthanks - In Winter
Joan Armatrading - How Did This Happen and What Does It Mean?
Rosie Lowe - Lover, Other
Oïmiakon - Comptoir Des Vanites
Emily Burns - Die Happy
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart