I = THEUNIVERSITYDAILYKANSAN
ENTERTAINMENT
THURSDAY, AUG. 23, 2001
Money Mark offers unique album
Mandalee Meisner
Jayplay writer
If the much sought after music industry "connection" were ever personified, it would probably take the shape of former cabinet-maker Mark Ramos Nishita, also known as Money Mark.
His list of high-profile projects and involvement in the Los Angeles arena would easily make any beginning artist pant with envy.
For starters, Money Mark has been chummy with the Dust Brothers for years.
He was also hired by the Beastie Boys to mend a fence and ended up providing vital keyboard arrangements on their comeback LP Check Your Head.
Furthermore, his extensive list of credits reveal eclectic collaborators including Beck, The Handsome Boy Modeling School and Trick Daddy.
In fact, short of selling Steve Jobs a song for use in iMac computer promotions, he's one step short of becoming the preeminent musical handman to the stars.
Oh wait, he's done that too. Still, a question remains;
Why hasn't anyone heard of Money Mark?
Perhaps the answer lies in the relative quirkiness of his solo work, which is mostly keyboard-dominated instruments with brass and string accompaniment.
album debuting Oct. 23, he succeeds in bringing his background sound to the forefront - at least for a while.
The title of his new LP Change is Coming may seem pretentious usly grandiose, but his sound is all about laid back amusement.
But with Mark's third full
Funk, Jazz and Samba dominate the album. Despite the lack of vocals, besides a few Doo Doo Doo's and what sounds like a monkey laughing in "Check your Head," most of the songs glisten with personality.
The first track,
"Chocochip," stands out with
oozing sound straight out of a
psychedelic claymation
short.
"Another Day to Love You" owes much of its appeal to a specially handmade guitar, a Tesco-turned-Cuban Theist, that he wields with authority.
In fact, Mark's penchant for learning new instruments (he's currently up to 12), a strident flare for theatrics and a host of high-quality guest musicians may prove to make his live concert a tasty treat.
Money Mark is stopping through Lawrence Sept. 20 to play at the Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St.
Meisner can be reached at 864-4810 or writer@kansan.com
Bleed American provides energetic message
By Patrick Cady Jayplay writer
The latest work from Jimmy Eat World, Bleed American, captures an expressive energy.
Recorded at their own cost after being dropped from a previous label, the CD features highly personal songs and music ranging from brilliant distortion to ethereal melody.
The opening track, "Bleed American," begins with a powerful guitar line matching the insistent vocals of Jim Adkins and progresses into a sort of social satiric anthem.
social satire ammunition.
The overall tone of the album is fast, and for the most part, it is also upbeat.
Tracks such as "The Middle," and the nostalgic "A Praise Song" sound almost reaffirming.
There also are some slightly more melancholic pieces on the album.
A prime example is the acoustic "Your House," full of swirling melodic lines and the pleading voice of Adkins' mourning heartbreak.
On "Sweetness" and "Do It Faster," clean and distorted guitar tones alternate and seem to almost
play tag, adding an intriguing color to the album's musical palette.
The book's strongest tracks on this album is "Hear You Me," a haunting piece that utilizes a soft acoustic guitar and a mellow organ.
The lyrics are personal and descriptive. Images of failed relationships and commentary on culture are abundant in the album.
On the whole, Bleed American presents a solid album marked by complex musical structures and powerfully emotive lyrics that should keep the listener from any planetary indigestion.
Cady can be reached at 864-4810 or
writer@kansan.com
LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR
Thursday, Aug. 23
Thursday, Aug. 26 The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St. Neko Case and Her Boyfriends, 8 p.m.
Coco Loco Mexican Cafe, 943 Massachusetts sts. The 8 Buck Experience, 10 p.m.
The Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St.,
Rewind. 8 p.m.
Raoul's Velvet Room, The Gooding
Fridav. Aug. 24
Friday, Aug. 14
The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St.
Nada Surf, Ozma, Sugar Bomb and Rilo Kiley,
8 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 25
8 p.m. Abe and Jake's Landing, 8 East 6th St., Pomeroy, 9 p.m.
Sandstone Amphitheater, John Mellen-
camp and the Wallflowers, 7:30 p.m.
The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St.
The Urge. 8 p.m.
camp the rainforest Abe and Jake's Landing, 8 East 6th St., Son Venezuela, 9 p.m.
Raoul's Velvet Room, The Sellouts, 10 p.m.
Sunday Aug. 26
The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St. Mates of State, Appleseed Cast and Seven Mile Drive, 7 p.m.
Mondav. Aug. 27
The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St. Open Mike Night featuring Will Hoge and Brand New Immortals
Kemper Arena, Backstreet Boys, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday. Aug. 28
Starlight Theater, Pat Benetar, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 25
The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St.
Mi6, Ready, Climber and Three Rivers
Kennedy 6 p.m.
Starlight Theater, Parc Stéla, 430 p.m.
The Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St..
Acoustic Lounge with Dave Swalde and Julia Peterson, 8 p.m.
Abe and Jake's Landing, 8 East 6th St., Dave Stevens and the Continental Affairs, 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 29
Wednesday, Aug. 23 The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St., The Shins, Busy Signals and The Times, 7 p.m.
Sandstone Amphitheater Stevie Nicks, 7:30 p.m.
Coco Loco Mexican Cafe, 943 Massachusetts St., Sloppy Seconds, Filthy Jim, Disappointing Seconds and Mr. Machine, 8:30 p.m.