{"id":294,"date":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.nysmusic.com\/2013\/2013\/04\/15\/mandate-of-heaven-releases-their-10th-cd-mark-music\/"},"modified":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2013-04-15T00:00:00","slug":"mandate-of-heaven-releases-their-10th-cd-mark-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.nysmusic.com\/2013\/2013\/04\/15\/mandate-of-heaven-releases-their-10th-cd-mark-music\/","title":{"rendered":"Mandate Of Heaven releases their 10th CD, “Mark Music”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Syracuse multi-instrumentalist\/singer\/songwriter Greg Pier and his vehicle, \u201cMandate of Heaven\u201d have released their latest CD, \u201cMark Music\u201d and are preparing for several shows in May and June.<\/p>\n

Pier could certainly be considered one of the area\u2019s most prolific writers as MofH reaches double-digit numbered releases. MofH is not only a band, but also the moniker for Pier\u2019s solo performances and recordings. \u201cMark Music\u201d is the tenth release on Pier\u2019s \u201cNeon Witch\u201d label. Jason \u201cJocko\u201d Randall engineers and mixes at More Sound with additional tracking done at Neon Witch, Randall and Pier co-produce this release which was recorded between 2009 and 2012. All songs were written by Pier except \u201cScrapper\u2019s Blues\u201d, written with Ethan Jenks.<\/p>\n

\"MOH-1-web\"<\/a>
photo by Robyn Stockdale<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The current band features FLASHING ASTONISHER veterans Bob Kane on Drums, who plays on all tracks here besides \u201cHigh Dragonfly\u201d and Chuck Gwynn who contributes bass on \u201cBedroom In The Sky\u201d. Bob gave me a great quote while we discussed this review, \u201cWhat bums me out is that my favorite tune has Greg on drums, \u201cHigh Dragonfly\u201d. I laid down a track, but I was more Wilco than Crazy Horse, just too many grace notes, so he played it himself. Someday I\u2019ll learn!\u201d Jason \u201cJocko\u201d Randall on second guitar and six string monster John Hanus plays the slide solos on \u201cBedroom In The Sky\u201d and \u201cCruel, Cruel Aristocrats\u201d. All other instruments and all vocals are performed by Pier, much the same as previous MofH releases.<\/p>\n

The CD opens with \u201cBaby Electron\u201d, a straight-up power-pop monster, setting the bar high for the rest of the disc. Super melodic, the ringing harmonic guitar parts swirl around the vocal harmonies \u2018til the chorus hits with a crunch and bite! Hopelessness and lack of control, such a romantically pretty place to start and an appropriate lead in to \u201cBedroom In The Sky\u201d. John Hanus\u2019 dripping slide part supports Pier\u2019s melancholic reading. The guitar parts individually read with a R.E.M. feel, the rhythm, the slide. Gwynn\u2019s bass line is solid and flowing, just the right feel to work with Kane completing the section. \u201cScrapper\u2019s Blues\u201d is like a postcard from the front porch, written by Yorke and sung by a Matt Bellamy\/Bono lovechild. The syncopation in the guitar line with Kane\u2019s drive close at hand pushes the pace in an almost twirling dance. The first listen of \u201cHigh Dragonfly\u201d illustrates Kane\u2019s previous quote, while the vocal line belies the almost woodsy feel of the tune, Pier\u2019s vocal twists from his heart like the removal of a similar knife-blade. There\u2019s a \u201cdEUS\u201d quality to one guitar line that echoes a \u201cBeefheartish\u201d influence and influences the vocal meter. The minimalist feel allows the words to bite and release, hard. \u201cFrom The Center\u201d releases the heavy side of Pier, while he allows the melodic vocal duality to layer deep. Kane\u2019s strength reminds me of QOTSA Grohl, along with a vocal intonation that is rhythmically British in a Foo kinda way, again, back to Kane\u2019s quote.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s an edgy, crispy quality to the whole recording, maybe it\u2019s in the compression. It\u2019s a bit haunting and a bit halting, kinda like T-Rex at times vocally and that ain\u2019t bad!<\/p>\n

Note: We just clicked on cdbaby to the \u201cif you like this artist try\u201d section. Hahahaha! Perfect!<\/p>\n

\u201cCruel, Cruel Aristocrats\u201d brings Hanus back in the mix to accentuate the fast pace of Pier\u2019s guitar line. Thematically Pier takes another bite at the expected and entitled, spitting at the standard while embracing the outsider. Check out the video here, it\u2019s very well done.<\/p>\n