Customer Reviews

No Band In The Happy Place

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Merely as a fan and not a critic, I want to give you what I find to be the most engaging aspects of the songs from No Band In The Happy Place. I particularly enjoy of the songs Wind Song, Wasted Years, Twenty Seven, and Which Side Are You On. The things I like about Wind Song are the jumpy, hard driving nature of the riffs Charlie (rythem guitar/ vocals) and Tim (lead guitar) have put together complemented by the tempered vocal harmonies of a number about alcohol fueled, entangled passion. The mournful lyrics of Wasted Years recall the greatest of spiteful country ballads. Tim's guitar on this track purposefully accompanies the reflective lyrics of Wasted Years. As twenty-seven rises on the crafted licks of Tim Jones, I recall that the number twenty-seven has many connotations in the music world and the symbolism of that number is well represented in the metaphoric lyrics sung by Charlie Beck about lost love. Lastly, the questioning lyrics of Which Side Are You On, call into account the spiritual allegiance of the subject. Furthermore, the lyrics recall the difficult decisions we face in remaining true to ourselves, in my estimation. This album is supported by strong tracks like Waiting on a Train, Easy Chair, Same Old Me, Texas and Tennessee all of which highlight the Blues, Country, Southern, Gospel, Post Punk influences of the MRK. With Tony (drummer) to hold it all together and provide harmony the mastery of their work is richer. I remember the first time I saw this band live and I thought "what an interesting sound". It certainly wasn't something I was accustoming to hearing in the Seattle scene and I've been an avid listener ever since.

What an awesome band! And the cover photography! Was that a trick camera? These guys rock!

The Great Northwest, once that old hipster hotspot of flannel and murk, has long produced a quieter generation of similarly formidable folk-inspired artists such as the Walkabouts and Beat Happening. Seattle's own oddly titled Memphis Radio Kings, while not quite as groundbreaking as some of their geographical cousins, has mined out an impressive batch of songs nonetheless.

Drawing heavily from the alt-country school of the Old 97's and early Whiskeytown, MRK produce a similarly accessible sound based around roots rock, nicotine, and heartbreak. Their latest effort, "No Band in the Happy Place" shouldn't disappoint fans of their particular genre. Jangling guitars are backed by a solid rhythm section and the usual Jackson Browne style vocals.

The subject matter doesn't stray much from the usual themes of Americana, ("Arizona," "Texas and Tennessee") ephemera, ("Wasted Years") heartbreak, ("Twenty-Seven") and alcoholism ("Searchin' for Salvation"). So don't expect any Dylanesque revelations or Sgt. Pepper-style sound effects. MRK are more likely to be your all-time-favorite bar band than your sonic epiphany. But if you enjoy a good glass of bourbon, long hazy nights, dead highways and first-hand smoke, this album should be right up your alleyway.