Mark Crozer and The Rels | it

Having been hard at work on several projects the last few years, Charlotte (NC by way of Oxford, UK) singer/songwriter/guitarist extraordinaire Mark Crozer has resurfaced with a brand new self-titled 14 track collection from his new band Mark Crozer & The Rels (Pepperidge Road Records). Following his recent time with the legendary Jesus & Mary Chain – which included an appearance on the band’s only new studio track -“All Things Must Pass”(“Upside Down: The Best Of The Jesus And Mary Chain), Crozer quickly followed up with his own Oxford super group – International Jetsetters and their critically acclaimed EP “Heart Is Black” (Planting Seeds Records) before putting the band on indefinite hiatus. On the heels of 2011’s solo release, “There Is No Love” (Digital EP) – Crozer now debuts his latest effort, which was recorded over the course of a couple of years and is destined to catch many ears along the way.

From the opening energetic pulsations of “War Drum” – Mark Crozer & The Rels takes you on a ride of riff driven, 60’s influenced hooks, and pure melodic bliss. “Give Me A Vaccination” kicks the LP into another gear with its surf-y/power pop /Automatic era Mary Chain fuzz guitars and its instantly memorable “c’mon / c’mon / give me a drug” refrain. Crozer & The Rels continue to take off with the sugary-sweet pop of “Killed By Karma” and “Sunshine” – both ready-made chart toppers and easily the album’s spotlight pieces. Crozer’s love of 60’s pop is also felt throughout – most notably on “Brand New World” (the track’s lead guitar brings to mind The Beatles “I Want to To Tell You”); The Monkees-like romp of “Just Another Day; “Waiting For June” with its subtle hints of psychedelia, and the whispery tuneful beauty of “Deep Caroline”. Mark Crozer also showcases the softer/ introspective side with the heartfelt/apologetic pleading of “What A Fool I’ve Been” which carries over to the classic acoustic folk brilliance of “You Are The Light. The music world needs more albums like Mark Crozer & the Rels – a complete collection of perpetual well crafted timeless pop perfection that will no doubt leave you reaching for the repeat button. .