published: 14 /
8 /
2013
Label:
Fire Records
Format: CD
Upbeat and compelling first album in eight years from former Miracle Legion front man, Mark J. Mulcahy
Review
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 Away
2
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/markmulca
http://www.songkick.com/artists/464758
Label Links:-
https://twitter.com/firerecordings
https://www.facebook.com/Firerecords
http://www.firerecords.com/
https://firerecords.bandcamp.com/
https://instagram.com/fire_records/
https://www.youtube.com/user/Firerecor