Dark Mean - Dark Mean

Dark Mean -- Toronto trio Mark Dean, Mark Holmes and Sandy Johnston deliver charmed, always interesting indie folk/pop on their gently twisted, self-titled, self-released debut // Release: Dark Twisted (June 14) // Sounds like: Frontman and songwriter Mark Dean's often ramshackle songs -- made more so by his untidy singing and freewheeling phrasing -- still have a finely crafted and graceful core...the dramatic ebb and flow of songs like "Lullaby" and "Finland", backed by a stark acoustic sound of banjos, guitars, horns and harmonica, gives these tracks a distinctive and unusually moving power // Quote: "...it took 4 years to complete the album. At times is was difficult, sending ideas back and forth over skype, making decisions without being able to play them together and jam out the idea. But in retrospect, recording over such a long period of time allowed the songs to breath and evolve in ways they wouldn’t have otherwise." - Mark Dean // What we like: the darting, unpredictable time signatures and deceptively unmannered approach combine for a truly fresh and unexpected sound...intricate arrangements and adventurous "kitchen sink" instrumental accompaniment make Dark Mean's diverse ten tracks something special..."Happy Banjo", a joyously raw slice of staggered drum shots, acoustic strumming, dense brass shadings and -- yes, you guessed it -- some jaunty banjo picking...

Dark Mean - "Lullaby" (from the album Dark Mean)

Dark Mean - "Happy Banjo" (from the album Dark Mean)