Short Street, the latest album by Michael Marquart’s A Bad Think, is an absolute masterpiece you should pay attention to. Born out of memories of Marquart’s childhood in a small town in Wisconsin, this album celebrates the joy and sorrows of life with an unmatched intensity of emotion. Short Street is a musical journey of love, pain, self-discovery, and the challenges that come with it. The sonic textures on this album are intricate and sophisticated, taking the listener on a captivating journey and leaving them mesmerized by the almost otherworldly soundscape. Marquart’s level of musicianship and skill is evident from the opening track, “Passion Play”. The song starts with a gentle acoustic guitar, gradually building to a powerfully soaring melody. The composition provides a stunning introduction to Short Street, showcasing Marquart’s talent for songwriting. His unique blend of complementary music genres, such as indie rock, classic rock, blues rock, folk rock, and Americana will leave you speechless so many times while listening to this release. Marquart has managed to create a sound that’s undoubtedly original and yet feels entirely familiar.
Marquart’s ability to compose delicate songs that touch the depth of the human soul is unparalleled. The lyrics on Short Street are written with a sense of longing that lingers in the listener’s mind, making it hard to forget. A song such as “Evening Fog” is a perfect example of this. It’s a beautiful, poignant reflection on life, with lyrics that tug at the heartstrings. Marquart’s delicate guitar performance flawlessly complements the song’s melody, taking the listener on a profound emotional journey. If there’s a song that perfectly reflects Marquart’s tremendous experience, talent, and creativity, then “Evening Fog” is more than a perfect example. Artists like Michael Marquart are conceptual purists; the goal is not to simply make a few good tracks, but to tell a complete story with the entire album. Making use of every second of airtime, Marquart doesn’t waste the listener’s time and instead continues at a steady pace, immersing the listener in the telling of his past. “A Diamond In The Sky”, “Sophie’s Choice”, “Pages Of The Past”, and “Fall In Love” are also standout tracks on the album. Marquart sings with such passion and conviction because every word comes straight from his heart. These outstanding numbers are fully stacked with beautiful instrumentations, ranging from ear-appealing, delicate, wisely assembled chord progressions, harmonies, themes, leads, accentuations, and solos. The artist decorated these sonic maneuvers with a thick layer of keyboard ambiance, all flawlessly blended to create a cathartic environment that is entirely mesmerizing.
Another detail that stands out is how Marquart dedicated his full attention to each segment, so perhaps these compositions are easy-listening, calm, soothing, and relaxing, but are unquestionably packed with so many details that you’ll need many listenings to grasp them all. Songs like ambiental “Fall In Love”, Americana-inspired psych-rock masterpiece “Danny Boy”, bluesy “Fuel To Flame”, soulful rock ‘n’ roll anthem “Fall Back In Line”, or orchestral Americana-inspired indie rock ballad “You Better Not Be Late” showcase how many brilliant ideas, time and effort Marquart invested into Short Street. The best part about all these songs is how sincere, confident, consistent, and balanced his vocal arrangements sound. Every number vividly demonstrates his storytelling lyricism that takes all these orchestrations to another level. “Hammer And The Plow” and “Brand New Day” are two introspective songs that serve as a perfect closure of this outstanding record. These numbers shine with so many impressive instrumentations where acoustic and electric guitars duel for dominance, but everything sounds so perfectly balanced that you’ll hear even the tiniest details. The lyrics are heartwarming, encouraging listeners to take a leap of faith and embrace their life. The complexity of melodies, harmonies, and ambiance adds a sense of serenity, wrapping up the album in a soft, reflective tone.
Short Street sounds like a comprehensive collection of multi-dimensional soundscapes that are both intricate and impressive thanks to the outstanding work of the legendary producer Bob Clearmountain, known for his work with the greats such as Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, The Cure, INXS, Bryan Adams, and many more. It’s also good to mention that Michael Marquart produced the stereo mix with longtime collaborator Dave Way, known for his work with Michael Jackson, Macy Gray, Fiona Apple, and Echo In The Canyon. These collaborations resulted in a listening experience that is immersive and captivating. The atmosphere on this album is incredibly crisp, clean, and spacious, elevating the listening experience to new heights. A Big Think’s latest record is an amalgam of exceptional compositions, showcasing the full range of Marquart’s skill and experience. It’s the kind of album that makes you sit down and listen, with every track offering something unique. Marquart’s ability to blend various but complementary music genres is remarkable, offering a wide range of luxurious sonic arrangements that, especially in the Dolby Atmos format, will satisfy every music lover. Short Street is due for streaming release on July 28, 2023 and will be available for download in Dolby Atmos on ImmersiveAudioAlbum.com. Don’t miss out!
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