Mark Cote | Fun House Of Your Mind

Fun House Of Your Mind

Mark Cote

Record Label: Picture This ! Records

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Song Name	Time	Buy
1. Fun House	3:58	Album Only
2. Gone,Gone, Gone	2:56	Album Only
3. While The Clothes Go Round (The Laundry Song)	4:04	Album Only
4. Snowman In July	4:30	Album Only
5. Happiness	2:45	Album Only
6. Even With My Eyes Wide Closed	3:28	Album Only
7. I Wish You Rain	5:29	Album Only
8. Everybody's Waiting	4:17	Album Only
9. Everywhere But Here	4:42	Album Only
10. Are You Listening ?	3:47	Album Only
11. Love Is Everything	4:23	Album Only
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Album Notes

According to singer-songwriter Mark Cote all that need be said about himself is best summed up by the artist himself: "Music is oxygen.Whether I'm writing a song at the piano or performing with my band in front of an audience, I never feel more fully alive than I do in those moments creating that human connection through music".

With his new album, 'Fun House Of Your Mind' Mark has carved out a niche that freely integrates pre-rock styles such as blues, jazz and Vaudeville with the breezy pop melodicism of late '60's-era Beatles.

Plumbing the source of his inspiration, Mark states "Songwriting is the most personal form of expression for me as an artist. I find that the more personal you state something in terms of a song lyric, the more it speaks universally to people. Hopefully, the listener can recognize an element of themselves within the song so that they don't feel quite so odd or alone in this world."

Born and raised in Ontario, Canada Mark's gene pool is evenly divided between Palmerston North, New Zealand and Montreal, Quebec courtesy of his mother and father, respectively. "Musically, I started on guitar at age 10 because I just thought it was the coolest instrument," he reflects. "I only took lessons for a short while though as my interest waned. Later, though, my folks bought a second-hand Gulbransen upright - a refurbished 1910 player piano with this great, creaky old tone. Eventually, this piano drew me in and I found myself plunking out melodies before deciding to pursue any kind of training which happened to be in jazz."

"There wasn't a great deal of money around in my early upbringing" Cote begins, "although I never felt a lack. My folks were very conscious about exposing me to all forms of the arts as an outlet for personal expression. Ever since I can recall" he adds, "there was always music in the house. From the moment I was walking upright, I was either singing along to my parents' record collection or getting my hands wet with paint, creating artwork. I think that is where the two art forms became indelibly entwined. I always think of music in visual terms."

Visual is certainly the word that comes to mind in describing the new album 'Fun House Of Your Mind'. Produced and mixed by veteran record producer, Michael Frondelli (whose credits include albums with Crowded House, Marianne Faithfull, Billy Idol and Danny Elfman among many others) the album's eleven tracks converge to create a colorful palette to lure the listener inside a nocturnal world, much like the urgings of the carnival-barker narrator in the title song "…Grab your ticket, spin the wheel and get in line…".

Mark's talents as a visual artist are also in full view with his whimsical, original illustrations that accompany the lyrics in the CD's booklet.

"I found my perfect collaborator in Michael" Mark says, "He understood what direction I wanted to go in from the beginning, which was to create a concept album. For better or worse, I think we all have a virtual Coney Island fun house in our heads and when I wrote the song 'Fun House' based on this concept, it became a defining creative moment. It then became my goal to craft and shape each one of these songs as an 'attraction' inside the fun house of the mind. So…each song represents a different emotional state such as anticipation, regret, jealousy, loneliness among others-yes, all those responses that make the fun house such an intriguing, loopy place for all of us!"

Citing his artistic goals, Cote concludes, " I want to continue to evolve and explore as a musical artist. I want to have longevity and speak to an audience that stays with me through the years so that we can take this journey together."

Mark Cote's songs, distinguished by his vivid lyrics, playful sense of irony, catchy melodicism and distinct vocal style have been featured in both television and film and continue to help define the ever-broadening and diverse landscape of pop music today.

REVIEWS

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Mark Cote - Funhouse Of Your Mind Review

author: Shashona McCall

Mark Cote - FUNHOUSE OF YOUR MIND www.markcote.com www.reverbnation.com/markcote www.myspace.com/markcotemusic www.facebook.com/markcotemusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/markcote Location: Los Angeles, California USA Album: FUNHOUSE OF YOUR MIND Released : 2011 Picture This Records Lyrics: Mark Cote Recorded, mixed and produced: Michael Frondelli "Love Is Everything" co-produced: Dave Polich Mastered: Gene Grimaldi at Oasis Mastering Arrangements: Mark Cote & Michael Frondelli Horn arrangements for "Fun House", "Happiness" and "Even With My Eyes Wide Closed": Tom Peterson Package Design: www.buckdowndesigns.com Illustrations: Mark Cote Inside Sleeve photography: Kevin Rolly Front cover & piano/hands photograph: Connie Conway Recorded & Mixed: Sunset Sound, Glenwood Place, Westlake Recording, Broken Wave & Chez Frondelli Studios Musicians: Mark Cote: all vocals, piano, keyboards Mitch Holder: acoustic guitar, ukulele, banjo Ricky Z: electric guitar Zac Rae: keyboards Tom Peterson: clarinet, soprano sax Ira Nepus: trombone Lee Thornburg: trumpet John Ferraro: drums, percussion Domenic Genova: electric bass, upright bass Matt Laug: drums, percussion Matt Bissonette: electric bass Denny Seiwell: drums Leland Sklar: electric bass Greg Bissonette: drums Carlitos Del Puerto: electric bass, upright bass Irina Bjorklund: musical saw John Krovoza: cello Dave Polich: keyboards Gene Lippmann: acoustic guitar FUNHOUSE OF YOUR MIND track list: 1 - Fun House 2 - Gone, Gone, Gone 3 - While The Clothes Go Round 4 - Snowman In July 5 - Happiness 6 - Even With My Eyes Wide Closed 7 - I Wish You Rain 8 - Everybody's Waiting 9 - Everywhere But Here 10 - Are You Listening? 11 - Love Is Everything Mark Cote - FUNHOUSE OF YOUR MIND Mark Cote has achieved a new mark in the sand with "FUNHOUSE OF YOUR MIND". He has presented impeccable lyrics filled with strong and inventive story lines. Each song taking you further into a mesmerizing journey. Mark Cote then wrapped them up in his delicious vocal style. This entire track list has been polished to perfection, it is absolutely superb. Mark Cote has managed to take you back in time, but forward at the same time. His technique is flawless. Each song a rich tapestry leading into the next track. Simply brilliant Mark! The instrumentation is tight and cohesive, leaving you breathless. You are left with the feeling that each musician is 100% on board with each gorgeous song on this album. No small feat. The use of horns was such a treat, but I must say, together, all the instruments sweep you away. Stunning work on orchestration. Mixing, mastering and recording is excellent, with real attention to detail. The production on this album is over the top exceptional. The CD Cover itself is beautifully presented adding to the mystery, right down to the CD which looks like an old 45rpm record.I love Mark Cote's imagination, fearlessness and sexy style. He took a different road, tried something new, a whole new feel. Mark Cote sounds like.. himself. No box for Mark, I love that about him. "FUNHOUSE OF YOUR MIND" is unequaled! Addicting! The three tracks I have set aside are: (This was an impossibly difficult task) 1 - While The Clothes Go Round I love the flow of this song. Mark Cote's strong vocals melt directly into your soul. The lyrics are gorgeous as is the instrumentation. Mark Cote has succeeded with these lyrics, this is one song I knew by heart in no time flat. Addicting and beautifully executed. This is headed to the top with a bullet. 2 - Gone Gone Gone Once again Mark Cote has nailed the vocals. His sexy voice will stay with you long after this song is done. His lyrics are flawless in an upbeat style that bursts with harmonies. This is an adventure you can actually picture as Mark sings the words. Love it! 3 - Everywhere But Here This song has a fun house feel to it with instrumentation the icing on the cake. Mark Cote holds our attention with strong lyrics and vocals. This track is yet another journey, so pack your bags. The background vocals and harmonies are brilliant. To tell the truth, I could have singled out each and every one of these tracks. Now that doesn't happen often. Mark Cote is truly a professional, who believes in the spirit of his music. This rich album will become part of you. It attaches itself silently. It is one of the best albums I have heard in years. This album is a must for your music library. Grab Mark Cote - FUNHOUSE OF YOUR MIND today. That's just how I see it Shashona McCall Indie Showcase www.indieshowcase.net
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A MAGNIFICENT BODY OF WORK

author: L. Brodey

Mark Cote’s “Funhouse of Your Mind” is one of those CDs that comes along, stands tall and distinctive in the crowd, and is so exceptional that you stop and take notice. “Funhouse” is a themed body of work that is reminiscent of the Beatles (especially Sgt. Pepper), a day at the circus, an evening in a Broadway theatre, but is so much more. There isn’t one track on this CD that isn’t unique, delightful, and an absolute listening pleasure. The music, the lyrics, the performance and the production are superior. I fell in love with Cote’s music when I first heard some of the songs some four years ago on MySpace. His lyrics are exceptional, honest, raw, and extraordinarily relatable. When the title track, “Funhouse of Your Mind” begins to play, you know that something very special is about to happen: secrets will be exposed, questions will be asked, mysteries will deepen (or be revealed) and stories will be told. This is one of those CDs that you can listen to a hundred times and still feel as though you were hearing it for the very first time.
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A menagerie of mental orgasms

author: Todd Wilson

I first heard Marks music on jango and immediately graviated too it...you could hear the purity of the themes, and the authenticity of the musicians rather then a synth creating all the parts. From the lyrical prowess mark possesses to the simplest things such as the pluck of a bango, or the harmonies of an old piano hammer sending sounds across a cherrywood sounding board, it can truly be said that this is a CD created by an honest musician who took no shortcuts to create a masterpiece of music.
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