Mark Lassiter –
Endlessly EP
2013, Mark Lassiter
2013, Mark Lassiter
Mark Lassiter, AKA The Singing Dentist or alternately, The
Dentist to the Rock Stars, has cut two divergent career paths at the same
time. Lassiter discovered his love of
making music after dental school, and has gone on to work with members of The
Foo Fighters, The Wallflowers, Blind Melon and Collective Soul, among
others. As a dentist, he has done
extensive work with MusiCares (The Grammy Foundation), providing dental care
for musicians at times of need. Lassiter
continues to explore his muse. His current
EP, Endlessly, gives listeners a
snapshot of his musical journey and his distinctive pop sensibilities.
Lassiter opens with the radio edit of “Endlessly”, a sweet
ballad of love and devotion. Lassiter
never entirely decides if this is a country or rock ballad, mixing elements of
country guitar into what is essentially a Triple-A arrangement. The melody is solid and easy to sing along
with, and the chorus trips the light romantic.
The album track version of “Endlessly” is next, clocking in at nearly
seven minutes in length. Lassiter plays
around a great deal with musical effects and mood-inducing sounds, but the song
drags on far too long for the standard listener’s endurance. The affectations of the full version are also
quite distracting to what is otherwise a nice ballad. “Life’s Like That” is a pragmatic rock anthem
about the ever-changing avenues that life throws at us. The song is radio-ready with a solid hook and
memorable chorus. Lassiter closes with a
song of welcoming to new love: “You’re My Favorite (Ashley’s Song)”. Lassiter delves into the burgeoning joy a new
relationship can bring, unfettered by time and experience. It’s a simple expression of musical joy that
is beautiful in its sheer effervescence.
Mark Lassiter continues to turn out high quality rock and
roll. Endlessly is more of a snack than a meal, briefly following the
process of loss, healing and finding new love.
Lassiter’s greatest strength is
his ability to write from the heart; not varnishing the truth but presenting
his observations in the first person and without artifice. Catchy hooks and a warm and welcoming voice
make this a treat for the ears.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
(Out of 5)
Posts
1 comment:
Thank you so much for this thoughtful and detailed review!
Post a Comment