MARK BACINO AGES GRACEFULLY WITH HIS PLEASING NEW ALBUM, “TOP OF THE WORLD”
For fans of Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Billy Joel and Randy Newman.
Singer-songwriter Mark Bacino is a melodic pop artist I have been covering since the nascent days of Power of Pop i.e. the late nineties, with his debut album Pop Job (1998). Since then, Mark has released two albums viz. The Million Dollar Milkshake (2003) and Queens English (2010). And with new album Top of the World, Mark confirms the adage that quality trumps quantity anytime!
The first thing one might notice about the songs on Top of the World is that none of them clock in beyond the 3 minute mark! Which to me, is the ideal length for classic pop, 1960s style. Next, when one peruses the song titles, one will recognise that Mark does not want us to take things too seriously, with the funny bone clearly intended to be tickled.
I mean, “Flop of the World” sounds like a song that would not be out of place on the soundtrack of the recently completed Curb Your Enthusiasm. Or how about the quirky “I Like Wearing Clothes” as the ultimate in absurdist song-smithing? I think you get the gist.
Certainly, Mark has been thinking about growing older - relevant thought process for those of us in a similar generation - but approaches this concerning time of life, with tongue firmly in cheek. A refreshing attitude!
Musically, fans of 60s/70s melodic rock and pop will thoroughly enjoy Top of the World’s channelling of the best of McCartney, Wilson, Joel and Newman. “Not That Guy”, “Shaky Hand” and “Young Heart” have a vibrant, breezy, infectious vibe that cannot be ignored.
It warms the cockles of my heart to know that Mark Bacino continues to be able to entertain and enlighten me over 30 years from the first time I listened to his bright, tuneful songwriting. The 90s Pop Underground is still alive and kicking.
What do you think of Mark’s new album? Leave your feedback in the comments.