Finally! Our favourite opening batsman has recorded an album...oh, hang on...
Sorry Mark, couldn't resist. Bet you haven't heard that one before. Anyway, Mark's Modern Primitive demo has been kicking around the HAC office for a few months now, demanding repeated listenings and earning our praise. Only sheer laziness on my part has kept it from the D.O.T.W page for so long. Hailing from Holbrook, NSW (home of the best custard tarts - ND), Mark plays/played in a cover band and an original outfit, all the while finding time to produce this little gem all by himself. Mark plays all the instruments and recorded, mixed and produced it too. marktaylor
The Modern Primitive demo kicks off with 'Modern Primitive', a sharp, angular guitar-driven pop number with brash, shouty vocals that remind us a little of The Who. A perfect, attention-grabbing opener. Next up is 'Take You Away', a dreamy little song with some fancy guitar work. There's even some slide guitar used here, but tastefully. John Butler fans look elsewhere. 'Come Around', I was hoping would be a cover of my favourite Martin Plaza song. Alas, we were treated to yet another driving, short, sharp pop tune, displaying all the instrumental capabilities Mark has at his disposal, complete with a Hendrix-y solo. Track 4 and 5, 'Neverlearn' and 'Dirt', take a bit of a left turn into instrumental land. Both these songs reminded us a lot of the Cruel Sea with the acoustic slide guitar and all, but both manage to steer clear of the cliché with some very clever interludes to spice it all up. Overall, an extremely impressive demo. The only disappointment was that, judging by the photo on the insert, Mark is not at all tubby. - BP
contact: markstaylor@optusnet.com.au
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