Absolute
Zero (2001)
Mark-1 is a young band
out of Massachusetts firmly entrenched in the retro Genesis
mold. A concept album in the grand tradition, Absolute
Zero weaves a modern story of faceless corporations
into a plot line that, at times, borders on the ridiculous.
It is also seems like a combination of The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
and "Get 'Em Out By Friday" (not surprisingly, as many
themes, both lyrical and instrumental, are adaptations
of those works). Mock social commentary is mixed into
a journey of self-discovery, including allusions to Genesis
that run rampant throughout the album, from direct quotes
and easily recognized similarities, to the processed vocals
attempting (and not succeeding) to replicate Peter Gabriel.
Another similarity is the use of an authentic ARP Pro Soloist
alongside soaring Hackett-like leads.
"Through The
Looking Glass" opens the story with its lyrical narrative,
along with alternating keyboard and guitar sections and
is a foreshadowing of what will be presented throughout
the rest of the album -- a mish-mash of half baked original
ideas and overt Genesis references. One example is the use of the main
rhythm of "The Cage" from The Lamb... setting the
backing for a overly long guitar solo. Despite using some
analog keys, an early 80s feeling dominates the album, with
the simple rhythms and almost lounge-like vibe present in many
pieces. "Exodus" is an up-tempo rocker with some aggressive
guitar playing, while a more complex arrangement brings it closer to progressive
rock territory. The closer, "Meltdown" is mostly instrumental
and leaves space for the band to stretch out with nice
melodic leads and even bring some earlier themes back
into play. The band attempts to brings a more unique style
to the table here and makes a decent finish, although some more lifted Genesis
melodies and glaring tape edits mar the proceedings.
While exceedingly
derivative of Genesis, it is most likely the band's intention
to pay homage to a band that had such a tremendous influence
on them. Still, the lack of original ideas does
not make things any more enjoyable from a listener's perspective,
and the horrible production is another problem. There are places
where the master tape can be heard slowing down and changing
the tempo of the song, (such as around the 2:40 mark in "Again
and Again" and 1:30 of "Ultra Modern Blues"). There is plenty of talent and potential
in Mark-1, and a transition to a more original sound could really
benefit them. There is definitely an audience for this retro
style of symphonic rock, but I can see this band doing much
more with their own distinct style and some judicious editing
of ideas that tend to wear out their welcome. - Mike Prete [April 2002]
Click Here for Tracklist and Lineup
Info
The Criminal Element (2001)
Mark-1 returns
with their second album of 2001. Straying away from
the blatant Genesis influence of their debut, The Criminal
Element incorporates a more refined and original take
on the retro 70s sound. The album clocks in at nearly
half the length of its predecessor, a smart decision that
consolidates the punch of the music.
From the intro
of the title track, it becomes fairly obvious that the
band has tired to shake the direct influences of the past
album and concentrate on a more unique sound. The guys
have obviously been practicing since the last album, working
in slightly more complex material and more cohesive compositions.
A piano-led interlude halfway through the song, as well as some organ
sounds near the end, bring some needed contrast from the
previous album's monotonous synth-driven pieces.
Some tracks such
as "The Life…" contain some downright catchy sections
and show the band at their best. "The Raven" is the highlight
of the disc, being a cohesive and melodic piece of extended
length, coming closer to living up to band's potential while
balancing vocal sections with extended instrumental passages,
although certain themes tend to hang around longer than
necessary.
While there is
still some obvious improvement to be made in a lot of areas,
The Criminal Element is a small step in the right direction
for the band. The absence of reliance on Genesis songs shows
a marked improvement as songwriters, and the added complexity
shows that they may one day be able to appeal to a wide progressive
rock audience. But their reliance on a more prog-by-numbers'
approach still does not allow much room for standing out from
the pack. Hopefully the band will spend more time refining
their sound before rushing out with another album. - Mike Prete [April 2002]
Click Here for Tracklist and Lineup Info
