UK based project MARK & THE CLOUDS is the creative vehicle of Italian composer and vocalist Marco Magnani, and started out with the idea of inviting various musical friends to record an album of his music. A live band was assembled as this project unfolded, as well as the debut album “Blue Skies Opening” which was released through UK label Mega Dodo Records in the summer of 2014.
What is soon quite apparent as this album reveals itself is that this is a composer with a strong affection for the music of yesteryear. Marco’s lead vocals in particular, with his crystal clear and almost naive delivery, is of the kind that reminds strongly of mid to late 60’s pop in general and occasionally with some firmer resemblances to bands like The Beatles. The use of orchestral details emphasize this aspect of the music quite nicely, as does the use of relatively simple drum patterns with impact hits and the liberal amounts of acoustic guitar throughout. Adding depth to the material are darker toned and at times rougher guitar details and motifs, adding a touch of the harder edged sound of bands like The Who to the proceedings as well as a touch of garage rock at times. In addition brass details are used to good effect to add elements rather more unexpected to these compositions.
What sets this album apart from many others of a similar kind is the last ingredient in this brew though: Dreamladen hovering guitar details, twangy guitar details, I seemed to note some occasional lap steel as well, as well as a few instances of honky tong inspired instrument details here and there. All of these adding a distinct US sounding atmosphere to this material, with country and country rock as pointers in terms of the style in which these details are played out.
There are exceptions spread throughout this production that escapes the relative confinements of the above mentioned context too of course, with one composition revolving around more of a blues rock basis, a couple of tracks appearing to orient themselves closer to a band like Wall of Voodoo in terms of general sound, and concluding track Are You Taking Time a one off with it’s more liberal use of psychedelic effects, folkier foundation and a light, upbeat and jubilant mood, but more than anything else this is an album that overall sounds like a fairly good and stable marriage between mid to late 60’s gently psychedelic tinged pop and Americana from the same era.
It’s a well made production, with something of a vintage sheen given to the mix and production that adds an emotional sense of credibility to this mostly retro-oriented escapades, and if you are of the opinion that English, lightly psychedelic flavored pop explored within an Americana or country oriented context sounds like a good thing, then this album should be noted down on your list of albums to explore.
My rating: 78/100
