Paul Mark, The Van Dorens - Blood & Treasure (2008)

Tracklist

01. Everything is Nothing
02. Don't Get Me Started
03. Perp Walk
04. Raise the Roof
05. Lotta Things to Say
06. Let Them Talk
07. Feed the Machine
08. I'm Still High
09. Wrong Pair of Shoes
10. Extraordinary Measures
11. Ruff House

Roots rock, soul, blues - it's all on display throughout the 2008 release by Paul Mark & the Van Dorens, Blood and Treasure. An unmistakably very live sounding record from beginning to end (which is quite a treat in the current overly studio enhanced pop music climate), Blood and Treasure delivers quite a few authentic, good old-fashioned retro sounds and approaches. Mark's hearty vocals (which bring to mind Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jeff Healey at times) are pushed way up front, while organs, rockabilly-esque guitar, and female soul vocals join in on the fun, especially on such ditties as the album opening "Everything Is Nothing," "Perp Walk," and "Feed the Machine." But not everything here is uptempo, as heard on the mid-paced and soulful "Raise the Roof." Paul Mark is certainly not attempting to break new sonic ground but he certainly knows his comfort niche, and it's on proud display throughout Blood and Treasure.

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