Mark Mulcahy – In Pursuit of Your Happiness

Mark Mulcahy – In Pursuit of Your Happiness

By

Jesse E. Mullen

My favorite of Mark's solo albums. (And second favorite of all his albums - to the Polaris album.) "Cookie Jar," and "I Have Patience" are the melodic indie Mulcahy is known for at its best. Closer "He Vanished" however, is a totally different animal altogether. A slow waltz with lyrics in tribute to a fallen friend delivered in a Lou Reed speak-sing, it is my favorite Mark Mulcahy song, and one of my favorite of the 2000s. If you only buy one album by Mark, let it be this one. But you'll want more than just this.

Mezzotint/2005

The Fall – Grotesque (After The Gramme)

The Fall – 

Grotesque (After The Gramme)

By

Jesse E. Mullen

Classic Fall begins here. Northern Rockabilly, American Country-Western, Post-Punk, Krautrock, all of these elements coalesce for the first time here. Add the brilliant interplay of S. Hanley, Marc Riley, and Craig Scanlon, and you have a recipe for a classic album. In addition, Mark E. Smith's lyrical themes have been given a laser sharp focus only previously hinted at. His songs of Hobgoblins and the music industry now fueled by a grueling tour of America, which gave him a broader perspective of the music industry. If you've yet to delve into this wonderful and frightening world, Grotesque is a great place to start.

Rough Trade/1980

Luna – Penthouse

Luna – Penthouse

By

Jesse E. Mullen

Penthouse, along with Lunapark is undoubtedly Luna's peak and most distinguished record(s). However, whereas Lunapark evoked a slightly spooky dreampop tone from Wareham's guitar, Penthouse is where Sean Eden truly begins to shine, giving Luna its twin guitar attack that we all know and love. Eden shines the brightest when he is allowed to wrap his elastic riffs around Wareharm's wet, reverberated chords on songs such as "Moon Palace" and "23 Minutes In Brussels."

Elektra/1995