Mark and The Clouds - Cumulus

  by Malcolm Carter

published: 25 / 2 / 2017

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Like so many others who can remember when three 7” vinyl singles cost exactly a quid (6 shillings and eight pence each) every time a ‘long-lost masterpiece’ which was overlooked back in the 1960's is reissued on a shiny silver disc I part with my cash eager to hear what I’ve missed. Sadly the reason why it was overlooked (and in many cases not released at all at the time) is all too apparent on the first listen; it’s just not that good. So, with another let down, why do we keep buying the things? In the hope that we did miss out on a pop/psych classic maybe, that we are going to be blown away just one more time by this thing that’s soundtracked our lives and with so many new bands trying but failing to capture the spirit and sound of those halcyon days what alternative is there? Admittedly there are a handful of bands that can still create that excitement we crave but they are few and far between. Mark & The Clouds released their debut album, ‘Blue Skies Opening’, back in 2014 on the Mega Dodo label. The title was appropriate, as here was a London band, led by Marco Magnani, who could capture the sound and spirit of the best bands of the 60's while not coming across like a cheap tribute band; they were far too good for that. Heavenly hooks and harmonies filled out each song and they had obviously been listening to and soaking in the music of all the greats from the Beatles to the Hollies taking in the Small Faces, the Beach Boys, the Byrds and even the Move along the way. The album was power pop perfection, lashings of psychedelia intertwined into the songs making each cut a killer. Here we are, a couple of years down the line and the band release their second album, ‘Cumulus’ proving that that debut was no fluke and that they hadn’t exhausted all their ideas back then. The opening song hits you immediately, ‘On Her Bike’ transports the listener back to 1967. If Wayne Coyne thinks the Flaming Lips' latest in any way represents the early work of Syd Barrett he should lend an ear to this track and, with the greatest respect, hear how it should be done. Sounding like something that should have made it onto the Hollies ‘Butterfly’ album, it has one of Magnani’s gorgeous, shifting melodies coupled with wistful lyrics that alone evoke ’67. This one track really sums up all what Mark & The Clouds are about. It takes in pop/psych before shifting a gear into edgier territory; memories of early Floyd (it’s almost up there with ‘See Emily Play’ in sound and spirit) and the Small Faces at their most lysergic come to mind. It’s over five minutes long yet doesn’t overstay its welcome. Any child of the 60's is going to love this; it’s simply brilliant and what many of us have been searching for. ‘Road, Mud & Gold’ follows and is a hazy, late summer daydream of a song. With its Hollies harmonies once again, the listener can’t help wondering that if Graham Nash had his way back in the 60's and the band had followed his more experimental leanings then that band would have stayed with their classic line-up a little longer, bringing us little shining psych gems like this. It’s another slice of perfect pop. ‘Hit by Lightning’ finds the band in their rockier mode, still psych/pop but with a touch of the Who about it, a killer guitar break, a sing-a-long chorus worthy of Lennon /McCartney and you can feel Noel Gallagher’s pain and frustration. To show that they are not the only contemporary band treading this path ‘Another Grey Morning’ recalls the work of Dodson & Fogg as much as it does that classic 60's sound; folk influences combined with their psych/pop tendencies produces the perfect soundtrack to an autumn yet to come. But don’t be fooled into thinking that ‘Cumulus’ is lightweight popsike; the energy of bands such as the Who, the Yardbirds and even, at times, the Pretty Things inform songs like ‘Baby, You’re Just a Liar’. And that’s the appeal of Mark & The Clouds; they’ve taken elements of the music that they are so obviously influenced by and shaped it into something of their own and not just concentrated on one year or one particular sound. ’The Endless Road’ is yet another track where the band have seemingly taken elements from all our favourite 45s of the mid to late 60's and condensed them into a killer of a song. Heavenly harmonies, jangling guitars, a sublime melody and some cool lead and backwards guitar lines are all there in one song. Once again, it is perfect. Available as a limited edition run of 250 on 180 gram black vinyl (twelve tracks) with a download code which includes three bonus songs (which you need, as they are not throwaways but of the same excellent standard as those on the album) and a limited double CD which includes a bonus live CD of the band's performance at the Half Moon in Putney, if melodic 60's influenced psych/pop/folk is your thing then head for www.mega-dodo.co.uk and get your order in. You won’t regret it.

Track Listing:-

1 On Her Bike
2 Road, Mud & Cold
3 Hit By Lightning
4 Another Grey Morning
5 Youre So Cold
6 Sheltered By The Wall Of Sound
7 Im Stopping Here (Bombs & Guns)
8 Baby, Youre Just A Liar
9 The Endless Road
10 The Lady Was A Freak
11 Take My Sky
12 Let Me Fade Away
13 Sweet & Wild
14 Dont Block The Sun
15 Evil Fairies

Band Links:-

https://kk-kz.facebook.com/Mark-The-Clouds-200206516807421/
http://www.markandtheclouds.co.uk/

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