Money Mark

Money Mark's six-track official debut for the electronica renegades at Chocolate Industries will surprise those who expected more keyboard experimentalism and less of the warped power pop he'd displayed on previous records. Still, Mark knows how to cover all his bases, satisfying fans with compelling music even while he's satisfying his love for a Sanford & Son junk shop of vintage keyboards. He leads with a track that smacks of Abbey Road-era John Lennon ("Livid in a Madman's Hell"), comes on like Anthony Kiedis crooning over a Jackie Mittoo dubstrumental ("Break Open My Shells"), and indulges in a piece of deliciously ragged power pop ("Never Bend"). Mark's never allowed himself to be pigeonholed, and at this late date, he still has all options open to him; he could easily turn into the next Jason Falkner or the next DJ Shadow (and be equally entertaining with either). ~ John Bush, Rovi