Marko Bruiser – “From Another Time”
Marko Bruiser is of the band Marko & The Bruisers that comes from Western Mass, Worcester way.
And how am I aware of this?
Well, I’ve known and reviewed this band for a few years now and though, I’ve always appreciated them, their last release blew me away! (Editors note: That means their recording was sick.)
I reviewed their last cd, “Slimedog Is The Best Writer”, sometime in the spring. (Editors note: It’s actually called “M.A.T.B.” Only Slimedog would release an album, erroneously named as such).
I knew then it would be the best, or one of the best, recordings I would receive and review in 2019.
That still stands.
And though this recording doesn’t topple my choice, it contains a lot of the same elements that originally, blew my mind! (Editors note: This recording is stupid!)
There’s a deceptively, simplicity in the songwriting that may cause one to dismiss it. But, as I know, the best songwriters have a way of writing perfect lines that make you say, “I could’ve written that,” but the fact remains- you didn’t. And after that you realize how good their work really is.
And there’s a bit of alternative rock in Marko’s style, a genre I have little interest in. But when he avoids all the mishaps of that genre and evokes bands like Dinosaur Jr. and The Pixies to me. These were bands that created indi, that was known as such because the major labels rejected their music. They were cutting edge at the time, not like the twee, precious, lethargic bands in that style I experience now. (Editors note: Slimedog gets up in the grill of modern indi).
There’s also, an emotional sadness that hangs over all of Marko’s songs that isn’t blatant, but seems to be always there. No matter how energetic or joyous the music happens to be.
There’s a hurt, a feeling…maybe it’s a part of being left out, a non-acceptance. The kind of pang an outsider feels when he realizes, that they will never be accepted as a part of the “in crowd.” That they will always be apart from that scene.
That, I feel, is the most true and direct expression of punk. That, I feel, everyone reading this has felt. That, I feel, is a big part of Marko’s music.
Let’s give this disk a spin:
“Me & You” erupts with a hard driving, Ramones-like rhythm that lights up your nervous system, sending shock waves to your brain and leads to a spiraling, sonically pulsed guitar solo that is not your usual show off, bravado one, but one that is melodic and effectively good. I’m bad, and not like James Brown good, at making out lyrics, and some would say, at making out. Please! You should never kiss and tell! But I think this song expresses a deep and intense love for someone you vowed to share your life with. I just know, for sure, this is an emotional, energetic song that rings true. Oh, and it’s really great, too!
“There She Goes” sounds to me like a collaboration of The Cars, The Velvet Underground, Siouxsie & The Banshees and the Smashing Pumpkins. That all sounds pretty cool to me, though the lyrics lament that they’re not, “Cool enough for a girl like you.” Chuggin’ guitar, chuggin’ rhythms, depreciative lyrics suddenly burst forth with joyous hand claps and the announcement of, “And there she goes the girl of my dreams, we’re both meant to be. And there she goes, the girl of my mind. We were both meant to be.” This song is much like a musical dream come true. My favorite song on this release.
“The civilized world has destroyed itself and it’s on its’ way to hell.” So goes “When It Goes Down”. And also, relates, “And I don’t wanna be around when it goes down.” There’s another, nifty guitar solo that soars in before it switches to a Tom Petty like breakdown. If there’s songs that continue to be as good as this one, I wanna stick around.
“I’m going crazy, crazy over you. Just tell me what you wanna do?” Sounds like a typical conversation I have with my Queen Master Goddess. But though I, at first, heard it as a cover of the great Patsy Cline song- it at least holds its’ ground. “And I think I have a problem ’cause I can’t give you up.” Then another, elegant, eloquent, echo-y guitar solo comes soaring in like an eagle overdosed on expresso. “You don’t need me…but just tell me, tell me what you wanna do.” This could be an obsessed stalker or simply a devoted lover- I can’t tell. But I can tell you that the emotion, the spirit, the energy of this song works perfectly and is pure and bright and right and No- it’s not crazy!- In the slightest, but overwhelmingly sane, expressive and great! Marko’s music is not hardcore, nor the epitome of punk. Not so aggressive, energetic, combative, anti-society, anti-government that people sometimes pigeon hole our music to be. This is actually an EP of love songs but aren’t sappy of sentimental in the least.
But just maybe, it reflects the emotions, the feelings, the thoughts- the frustrations, pain and joy- the wildness and the freedom, the desire and dedication you feel once you’ve disengaged from the pack of society. And become one of the tribe of misfits and individuals that encompass punk- that you find where
you belong, embrace who you are, and feel free to express yourself. That is not only your right but is wonderful and great, too.
This release is a great representation of what I’ve just stated. All that you probably believe in, too. Whether you like this recording on not.
I really do like this recording and I’m guessing you do, too.
And if that’s the case, I feel, there can be no better recommendation than that.
(Slimedog)
