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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.
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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.
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Most surprising here, though, is Nolan and Ambrogio’s wildly successful approach of ballad forms.
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Magik Markers stand out from the crowd of Sonic Youth conscripts by delivering an album that marbles its clang with sweet spots.
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It rather gorgeously hums low and disturbing, hiding in the grass like some kind of jungle cat.
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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]
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There's definitely something new going on, and most of it comes from the seductive voice and lyrics of Ambrogio.
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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.
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SpinBoss finds the duo still feral but also forlorn. [Oct 2007, p.106]
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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
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The WireBoss, Magik Markers' most straightforward set of rock songs, is still rife with a liberating freedom. [Oct 2007, p.62]
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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.
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UncutThe Connecticut pair's third album taps into the best qualities of alternative music, circa 1988. [Oct 2007, p.99]
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Under The RadarBoss completely succeeds in channeling their blues-based noise rock to tape. [Fall 2007, p.82]
User score distribution:
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Positive: 4 out of 5
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Mixed: 1 out of 5
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Negative: 0 out of 5
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THEAESTHETISTOct 15, 2007