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Sic Alps / Magik Markers – Split 12
When Magik Markers rolled through town awhile back it was a bit of a revelation. Their transformation from post-punk chaos to delayed out wah-psych has come full circle in a cosmic freak-out anchored by the deftly minimal bass playing of newbie John Shaw. Thankfully a brand new side of this development has emerged on one side of a split with Sic Alps marking the recording debut of this trio and the results rival anything the band has done thus far. Elisa takes the lead in a more subdued haze of manic intensity, her guitar playing more other-worldly than ever. Drummer Pete Nolan’s contributions are also brought to the forefront, most evidently on his free open intro to the final track. Shaw holds it together with the easy pace of a King Tubby album. Basically the Markers have a new swagger, like they’re wearing shades indoors, like Royal Trux almost post-heroin period? Something like that but more informed by PSF albums. How ever you wanna take it’d put it on if I found it in a jukebox in a heartbeat. The Sic Alps side is an entirely different matter of tuneless generic lo-fi mess. Perhaps they’re saving their better material for bigger projects but this “shitgaze” aesthetic is unbearable. In any case, Markers side is great enough to merit obtaining this record should you come across its path. Viva Markers. by
STEVE LOWENTHAL on
9/5/2010
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