Magik Marker's latest release, BOSS, comes as a relative surprise. With this release on Thurston Moore's label Ecstatic Peace! label, the now duo (bassist Leah Quimby left the group in May of 2006) goes for a more accessible, structured sound. Past endeavors, I Trust My Guitar, Etc...(also on Ecstatic Peace) and A Panegyric To The Things I Do Not Understand (Gulcher), were firmly rooted in the experimentalists' realm of sheer guitar noise. That said, BOSS still features the caterwauling of a guitar and off-kilter drum fills. However, Magik Markers has very definitely softened their sound--even going as far as featuring acoustic plucking and pleasantly detuned pianos.
The biggest difference between past albums and this one, though, is the development of actual song structure. The band shows its capability to write pop songs even if they choose not to. It's clear that being on the Sonic Youth frontman's label and even having Lee Renaldo produce their album has influenced them in SY's vein. Particularly on a song like "Body Rot," which sounds as if it could be taken from the cutting room of the Sister sessions.
Furthermore, Singer/guitarist Elisa Ambrogio channels the lazy singing style of Kim Gordon throughout the album, which is rather effective in this album's case (considering past albums featured more or less yelping).
All comparisions aside, Magik Markers create a very visceral listening experience permeated with moments of ethereal quietitude (check the ghostly solo piano track "Empty Bottles") and a penchant for following in their idols footsteps.
BOSS won't go down as the Markers' definitive album, but it's one gutsy-ass departure. |