'Marcus Singletary is an artist whose creativity and musical zeal is unmistakably his own. Let’s just say he follows his own muse.' -Jon Neudorf, Sea of Tranquility
Marcus Singletary’s Born to Be Wild mixes dark themes and globe-spanning musical hijinks with occasional rays of equatorial sunlight. The album begins right at the ‘Top of the Sky,’ where authoritarian world leaders face Doomsday by delivering the same fascist messages to their followers.
A trip to Singletary’s hometown occurs during ‘Freeform Guitar (A Tribute to Terry Kath),’ which throws grenades while honoring one of rock’s greatest six-stringers. ‘Devil’s Rage’ heads straight into Hell on heavy riffage inspired by the gods of metal, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, and on an interpretation of Steppenwolf’s ‘Born to Be Wild,’ Singletary uncovers some previously unearthed funk within Canadian songwriter Mars Bonfire‘s
original composition.
Ominous Floydian pulsations and winds stamp ‘Three Beaches of Narragansett,’ telegraphing the blood rituals and human sacrifices envisioned aboard the ‘Space Train to Babylon’ (the 11-minute travelogue also visits Salem, Tin Pan Alley, and a tribal rain dance where the drums conjure up impressions of ‘In-a-Gadda-da-Vida.’) Under African skies, Zulu spoons form the rhythmic foundation of the nostalgic ‘(I Don’t Need Your) Permission,‘ and the journey ends with the uplifting ‘Siyavuya Ngoku’ (Xhosa-to-English translation: ‘We’re Happy Now.’) It provides an orgasmic, well-deserved tension release.
Early cuts in Singletary’s catalog echo American roots music. What followed were comedic exercises, concept albums, and lush soundscapes. Even though unpredictability remains on display throughout Born to Be Wild, everything rocks dangerously, and with authentic flair. Vocals slice through thick layers, the one-man instrumental attack kicks ass, and at all times (and through clear sonic clues), listeners are always aware of their surroundings and trajectory - making it easy for anyone of any age or intelligence level to enjoy the ride.
Credits
Artist: Marcus Singletary
Title: Born to Be Wild
Label: Aviation
Marcus Singletary - All Instruments, Composer (1-3, 5-8), Producer.
Anthony Casuccio - Mastering (@Xtream Audio).
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