9/9/2009 Mark Mallman CD Release
Mark Mallman celebrated the release of his latest CD
Invincible Criminal with a release party at
First Avenue in Minneapolis Saturday, September 5th that included supporting local bands
Lookbook and
Black Blondie.
Keeping with his traditional and over-the-top showman style, Mallman began the show by performing "The Music of the Night" song from
Phantom of the Opera while leaning on a mop bucket. After seducing his audience with this dramatic opening number, his set continued to include the perfect blend of selections from his new disc as well as classic Mallman material his fans have come to love over the past 10 years.
Invincible Criminal as an album is one of my new personal favorites, both a consistently quality listen, with a few standout tracks, many of which were featured at Saturday's show including "Eternal Moonshine," White Leather Days" and the album's title track.
Other highlights of the show were writer
Laura Brandenburg joining to sing on a cover of the Kenny Loggin's (yes, Kenny Loggins) hit "Danger Zone" and
Joe Werner of
First Communion Afterparty and
Strangelights joining for "You're Never Alone in New York," the first single off
Invincible Criminal (the album version includes a vocal part by the Hold Steady's Craig Finn.)
Overall, I was impressed even more than I usually am with the artfulness with which Mallman balanced spectacle (men in rat suits stationed at each side of the stage, a giant gumball machine, and musicians dressed in black and white striped prison outfits) with the music.
Photo by:
Debbi Donovan
Text by:
David de Young
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