- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
-
What separates Boss from any cynical cashing-in critiques is that the Markers went above and beyond to actually create an album that nearly contradicts their constructed identity.
-
It rather gorgeously hums low and disturbing, hiding in the grass like some kind of jungle cat.
-
The Markers strip away the most abrasive parts of their previous work, add just the right amount of melodies and structure, and somehow maintain the free-flowing, experimental heart of their music. It's not much of a stretch to say that the results are something of a revelation.
-
Most surprising here, though, is Nolan and Ambrogio’s wildly successful approach of ballad forms.
-
The WireBoss, Magik Markers' most straightforward set of rock songs, is still rife with a liberating freedom. [Oct 2007, p.62]
-
UncutThe Connecticut pair's third album taps into the best qualities of alternative music, circa 1988. [Oct 2007, p.99]
-
Under The RadarBoss completely succeeds in channeling their blues-based noise rock to tape. [Fall 2007, p.82]
-
Magik Markers stand out from the crowd of Sonic Youth conscripts by delivering an album that marbles its clang with sweet spots.
-
There's definitely something new going on, and most of it comes from the seductive voice and lyrics of Ambrogio.
-
None of these songs truly sound fully-formed, able and confident, but all of them have their "moments," and some of them do come crashing down like a tidal wave of yearbook memories
-
If Hartford, Connecticut's Magik Markers has built its reputation as a feverish live act, Boss wrangles all that frantic upheaval into a surprisingly tuneful and, yes, utterly ragged set of songs.
-
But beyond these select numbers ['Empty Bottles,' 'Taste' and 'Bad Dream/Hartford’s Beat Suite'] we essentially get several takes on the same fuzz, inflating a Stooges balloon with Patti Smith’s intonation and hoping that shit don’t pop.
-
SpinBoss finds the duo still feral but also forlorn. [Oct 2007, p.106]
-
MagnetMagik Markers' simulations are dutiful, but they lack even a hint of the revolutionary spirit, menacing explosiveness, creativity, musicianship, savvy, wit, humor, heart or charm oif their heroes [Sonic Youth]. [Fall 2007, p.101]
User score distribution:
-
Positive: 4 out of 5
-
Mixed: 1 out of 5
-
Negative: 0 out of 5
-
THEAESTHETISTOct 15, 2007