Is Anybody Out There?
Self-Released, 2020
8/10
Listen to Is Anybody Out There?
A midwest outfit with an affinity for guitar rock, the quartet Mars Hall embrace nostalgic rock but certainly aren’t strangers to modern ideas, too, as all 4 members sing across these powerful and carefully crafted tunes.
“Get In The Car” starts the record with thumping drums from Tim Karbowski and strong riffs thanks to Jef Hinds as both grit and melody meet with a thick rock’n’roll presence, and “Love Is A Road” follows with both calm and firm moments of diverse, rhythmic sounds that balance rawness with tunefulness.
In the middle, “One Chance” highlights Jon Scott’s throbbing bass work alongside smooth singing that welcomes an anthemic quality, while “Overkill (The Ballad of Sid & Nancy)” trims the pace back with ‘80s nods as well thought out lyrics follow suit to the precise instrumentation that’s rugged and pretty. “Amnesia”, the album’s best, then recruits crunchy guitar and an irresistible energy to a grungy alt-rocker.
Landing near the end, the dreamy cover of “Eleanor Rigby” is a playful and soaring adventure into retro fun, and “Is Anybody Out There” exits the listen with a prime example of all the things we love about rock music- emotion, a meticulous rhythm section and memorable song craft.
Mars Hall have already played some of the biggest stages in their home state of Wisconsin, and with top notch records like this, it won’t be long until they’re making fans across the globe.
Travels well with: Dizzy Box Nine- Radio Fiction; The Guilty Lenses- Somewhat Romance, Somewhat Poetry