Mark Bacino – Top of the World

After a fourteen year hiatus, Mark Bacino is back with Top of the World, his fourth release and first for Parasol since 2003’s The Million Dollar Milkshake. His is a piano driven sound, most probably influenced by the work of The Beatles and Brian Wilson among others. Most notably, the songs are catchy and extremely well written. 

Stylistically Diverse Power Pop

“Kaylee Hughes”, an uptempo character sketch, starts things off with wonderfully ornate horn flourishes, a catchy melody and clever lyrics. “Flop of the World” brings a slower, more jazz oriented vibe but is equally as satisfying. “Why Does This Woman Love Me?” asks a question so many of us have had at one time or another. Once again, smart lyrics take center stage. “She looks past all the weird in me and sees the man that no one sees”. Brilliant.

I’m not normally one for instrumentals but “He Never Saw It Coming (Accidental Death of a Clown)” is a notable exception. The horn arrangements are wonderful and the guitar punch in the middle jolts the listener into a heightened state of attention. The ragtime piano of “I Like Wearing Clothes” is tremendous fun while “Not That Guy” is classic power pop, plain and simple. 

In my estimation, his writing style sits somewhere between Randy Newman and Paul McCartney. He manages to incorporate hooky choruses, great horn arrangements and smart lyrical content into every song on the LP. I can’t recall hearing anyone quite like Mark Bacino.

Get Mark Bacino’s Top of the World

All ten songs on Top of the World are first rate, both from a performance and writing standpoint. And if I’m not mistaken, the album is self produced. If piano driven pop is your thing, then Mark Bacino’s Top of the World is a must have. Get it at Kool Kat Musik.