Discography/Lyrics
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'Prey Becomes Predator' kicks things off in chrome-metallic fashion, targeting both modern & classic rock formats. 'Daddy Doom' expands the palette with paint-like guitar textures burying pure poetry. 'You Haven't Changed...', 'Some $...', & 'Some Guy', all have the crossover radio potential of the best sing-a-long singles. Acoustic, live off the floor takes of 'Divided Highway' & 'Lucky Man' show a more introspective side. 'All You Had To Say...', an innuendo filled duet with Los Angeles rocker Amanda Sonic, is a sexy gem. Deeper album tracks like 'Bulletproof', 'Where Did All Your Wit Go?' and the slow-burn epic 'Razorburn' level the album out with effortless eclecticism. 'When I Was A Child' & 'Glimpse Of Her' cook like the best jam bands, but trimmed lean & mean. The record reaches its sonic/thematic climax with the white-noise, emotional anarchy of 'The Monologue...' |
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For the official second album by Solarbaby, the band did not to want simply repeat what worked so well the first time, so a radical re-invention was put into place. Gone are the lo-fi sonics and kitchsy wordplay of their debut. A world weary frustration blankets the words and melodies. Taking full advantage of a full studio set up, the band worked hard to trim the fat of excessive arranging, while maintaining the rough charm inherent in the revealing lyrics. Where the first album featured a one minute track, the closer here clocks in at over ten! Most songs respect the classic styling of the giants of rock. The exception is the first single/video. "Benzedream," a distinct jolt of 70's glam with a trip-hop beat countering that familiar, "(I can't no) Satisfaction," feeling. Here's what A&R at a leading Canadian label had to say after hearing an advance copy of the disc. "The songwriting is terrific. There is a huge Rolling Stones vibe to it. This sounds like it could have been the lost record, in the height of their success. There are many excellent songs on here, hard to choose favorites!" Nominated favorite local debut album in the Georgia Straight Music Awards. |
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Nominated best local debut in the prestigious Georgia Straight Music Awards. This album was a critical and college radio smash that took the Vancouver scene by storm in the summer of 1998. This probably due to the fact that it was released after only a handful of live gigs had been performed. It is an indie lo-fi tour de force, often described by Marq as "cubist power pop." Short, jagged songs crashing into more lush, rounder visions. Arena ready anthems spat out by a garage-y trio with a punk attitude. Most reviews focused on the lyrics. A schizophrenic collage of puns inversed, sexual innuendo, and caustic wit walking the fine line between comedy and tragedy. Also had a shade of the country texture that would come out more in future releases. Most often compared with Cheap Trick, Elvis Costello, The Replacements, Guided By Voices, Smashing Pumpkins, "Some Girls," era Stones. |
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After a whirlwind of shows and promotion, Solarbaby finally slowed down enough to begin work on their second CD. After an album’s worth of tracks were shortlisted for the sophomore effort, Marq realized that there were many worthy songs that for some reason failed to make the cut. Rather than let this material die an obscure death, Marq decided to record a quickie solo effort. Ambitiously sprawling, the record is a virtual history of American rock and roll and a decided left turn from Solarbaby. A song-oriented cycle of old-time folkers, slide guitar slashers, flat out classic rockers, with one knock 'em dead piano ballad at its emotional center. With most all the instrumentation and production (drums all on one track!) handled by Marq, this is probably his most pure and honest recording. Most often compared with Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Wilco, "White Album," era Beatles, "Between the Buttons," era Stones. |
