The Killing Card
© Copyright-Mark Schwaber
(837101149457)
Record Label: Pigeon/Lucky Creature
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Mark Schwaber - the killing card
www.markschwaber.com
www.myspace.com/markschwaber1
www.pigeonrecords.com
www.luckycreature.com
The players:
Mark Schwaber - vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, cassette tapes, glockenspiel, percussion and Hammond on all except where noted. Drums on #12
JJ O’Connell - drums/percussion on #4,5,6,8,10,11, 14
Ruth Keating - drums/percussion on #2,3
Joel Stroetzel - guitars on #2
Anne Pinkerton – vocals on #6, 10, 14
Paul Kochanski – bass on #10
Matt Cullen – guitars on #10
Jose Ayerve – chord-o-dot organ on #3
Mark Alan Miller – tape loop editing on #9
Sheri Hupfer – phone call on #15
Reviews of Mark Schwaber's first CD, "two years and thirty minutes"
"Absolutely amazing" Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh, Folk Implosion)
"...The record showcases Schwaber's wide range of talents, from his understatedly brilliant guitar playing (check out the quirky turnaround after the first chorus of "Watergun") to his knack for creating beautiful arrangements (dive into the lovely layers of "Hell is Here" and "Dignity in Death") to his seemingly endless supply of hooks (just try to get the vocal lines on "Let Down" or the guitar line on "Ghosting" out of your head).
The mood on Two Years... shifts from straight-up rock to sparse, nylon-string dirges, but the unmistakable constant is Schwaber's superb songwriting. There are 11 songs in this collection, and only two of them break the three-minute mark. Chalk that brevity up to the fact that Schwaber has mastered one of the most important principles of songwriting: Don't overdo it. He never forces lyrics. If he's said everything he needs to say in a single verse, he brings the song in for a gorgeous, graceful landing, as he does on "Crash Your Ride." If he's written a wonderfully funny and catchy verse, he simply repeats it, as he does on "On Your Way." It's a compelling approach -- compelling the listener to revisit the songs again and again and again."
Greg Saulmon - masslive.com
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It doesn’t take long to notice that Mark Schwaber is a serious artist.
author: www.indie-music.com
It doesn’t take long to notice that Mark Schwaber is a serious artist. One of this CD’s early tracks is called “The Pressure It Feeds,” and the listener seems to be the "it."...unrelenting in its onslaught. This music is sad and guarded, like a stranger that has secrets he’ll never tell. But if you’re game to try and figure out Schwaber’s mysterious personality, here's your chance.
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Breathtaking
author: Two Way Monologues
My first experience with Mark Schwaber was the breathtaking "The Pressure It Feeds," a song that took my breath away both because of the magnificent musicianship and creativity but also because it was as close as I have been to hearing Elliott Smith speaking to me from the grave. 7.5 stars (out of 10)”
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This man is bound to be a major player in the years to come.
author: www.babysue.com
This is an intriguing album that immediately caught our attention. Mark Schwaber creates uniquely entertaining music from a different perspective. His tunes combine highly melodic thoughtful vocal melodies with abstract musical passages...and the end result is extraordinarily effective. Instead of predictable tunes and cute arrangements, Schwaber writes and records mature, intellectual tunes that are sometimes reminiscent of Sufjan Stevens. There is a wealth of material to take in here. The Killing Card presents sixteen thought provoking compositions that flow by seamlessly...combining classic elements with unpredictable spontaneity. This man is bound to be a major player in the years to come. Cool reflective tracks include "The Pressure It Feeds," "Torture Ground," "Island of the Burning Trees," and "You Are Just Like Me. You Will Never Be Free." Recommended. (Rating: 5++)
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simple musical genius
author: The Phoenix - HCC newspaper
Mark Schwaber has once again delivered a beautifully written, masterfully performed piece of art. One almost asks whether it's a meticulous process in writing these songs, or simple musical genius. Regardless, unlike most records put out by major-labels this one can be appreciated by all listeners.
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