Mark Mulcahy - Dear Mark J. Mulcahy
by Anthony Strutt
published: 14 / 8 / 2013
Label:
Fire Records
Format: CD
intro
Upbeat and compelling first album in eight years from former Miracle Legion front man, Mark J. Mulcahy
Mark Mulcahy is one of the most pleasant guys that I have ever met. He is a big guy, with a big heart. We originally met in 1989 and bonded instantly. Sadly he has been away from the musuic industry, not through any fault of his own, but because his wife passed away in 2008, and he was left to care for his young kids .so music had to be put on hold. In the meantime, his army of famous fans released in 2009 'Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy', a tribute album of his songs to keep the money rolling on in. It featured Michael Stipe and Thom Yorke among others, while a different download version also included covers by other artists as well including Buffalo Tom. I first heard him in 1984 when his old band Miracle Legion released 'The Backyard' on Rough Trade Records, a record that had as profound an effect on me as R.E.M's 'Murmur'. Miracle Legion finally split in 1996 after thirteen years together and a solo career took its place. 'Dear Mark J. Mulcahy, I Love You' is his first album in eight years and for his new label Fire Records, his previous album 'In Pursuit of Your Happiness' having come out om Loose Music. It is not a record of mourning. As usual. he is full of hope and joy. Only 'I Taketh Away', the first track, hints at his loss. It a song about moving on, simply played with an air of expectation, and also wonder at the the joy of life and everything in it. 'Everybody Hustles Leo' has a toe tapping rockabilly flow, while 'She Makes the World Turn Backwards' in contrast is stripped right back, the stark music backing Mark's naked vocal which is self-confessional but very warm at the same time. 'Let the Fireflies Fly Away' is minimal but loud and proud. 'Almost' has a strident Velvet Undergound flow to it, while 'the upbeat 'He's a Magnet' features a flute. 'My Rose Coloured Friend' is a head bopper, played with a band in a minimal way and has a piano solo. 'Bailing Out On Everything Again' has an airy sound and, a love song of sorts, is light, bubbly and very minimal. 'Badly Madly' finds Mark on familiar territory, and is like a great Bob Dylan tale. 'Poison Candy heart' is another happy number, and 'The Rabbit' is again stripped back. 'Where's the Indifference Now?', a song about American craziness, recalls with its garage rock sound classic Miracle Legion and ends the album. 'Dear Mark J, Mulcahy, I Love You' isn't an easy album to listen to, but grows with each listening and soon becomes compelling. A great album.
Track Listing:-
1 I Taketh Away2 Everybody Hustles Leo
3 She Makes The World Turn Backwards
4 Let The Fireflies Fly Away
5 He's A Magnet
6 My Rose Coloured Friend
7 Bailing Out On Everything Again
8 Badly Madly
9 Poison Candy Heart
10 The Rabbit
11 Where's The Indifference Now?
Band Links:-
http://www.mezzotint.com/https://www.facebook.com/MarkMulcahyHQ
https://plus.google.com/+MarkMulcahyHQ
https://twitter.com/MarkMulcahyHQ
https://www.youtube.com/user/markmulcahyofficial
http://www.songkick.com/artists/464758-mark-mulcahy
Label Links:-
https://twitter.com/firerecordingshttps://www.facebook.com/Firerecords
http://www.firerecords.com/
https://firerecords.bandcamp.com/
https://instagram.com/fire_records/
https://www.youtube.com/user/FirerecordsUK
interviews |
Interview (2013) |
Paul Waller talks to Connecticut-based singer-songwriter Mark Mulcahy about his new album ‘Dear Mark J Mulcahy, I Love You’ and his years with much acclaimed indie rock outfit, Miracle Legion |
Interview (2006) |
soundcloud
reviews |
In Pursuit Of Your Happiness (2005) |
Versatile third solo album on Loose Records from former Miracle Legion frontman Mark Mulcahy |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Flaming Stars - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Kula Shaker - Natural MagickIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for Bread
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Inutili - A Love Supreme
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Ty Segall - Three Bells
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