Multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter Mark Houston. It’s not everyday you come across an artist who covers all the boxes. Of course, there are artists that do combine their vocal or lyrical expertise with a single instrument or a software, but when it comes to actually playing out a multitude of sounds sound, it is a special talent who manages the full gambit. And that is who Mark Houston is — a prodigiously talented songwriter who just so happens to be more than capable at playing an array of instruments. On his full length debut, ‘The Coast’, Mark alongside a limited supporting cast who bring out the best in each track, has managed to create a thoroughly enjoying experience that is probably best enjoyed live.
Obviously, being the gifted composer that he is, Houston has recognised that fact. He’s assembled a five piece band to take the album to live audiences across the Pacific Northwest in the fall. Filled with harmonic humming, atmospheric guitar riffs, and wonderfully cinematic production progression on each track, ‘The Coast’ has a host of sonic elements to please listeners. From the introductory ‘Open up the Pages’, Mark’s style immediately presents itself — a rooted influence in folk but an outward presentation that is distinctively more poppy and appealing to a wider audience. The easy-going vibe is carried forward in the proceeding tracks, with ‘The Way It Goes’ being a pleasurably catchy folk sing-along tune. But on ‘Whispers in the Dark’, Houston starts to experiment a bit more. With far more vocal intonation and a less prominent chorus, it still holds itself together through a well orchestrated progression from start to finish.
Standing at a bit over ten tracks long, ‘The Coast’ is definitely a fully fleshed out album. Each piece stands tall amongst the skyline it sets for itself. Each song is its own building, with its own distinct architecture that retains a common foundation. Of course, every listener will have favourites. For me, that comes towards the end of the album with ‘Deserve You’ and ‘Land Called Tomorrow’. The former, the penultimate track on the album features a beautiful vocal harmony of a chorus that is achingly soothing. And the latter, the album’s powerful closer, is a beautifully cinematic tune that becomes the ideal closure.
‘The Coast’ has something to love for folk fans and pop fans alike. It’s ability to bridge the two genres is one of its strongest assets. I only hope to hear the live renditions of this project soon as they are bound to make it all that more enjoyable.
Check my playlists here!